Regional Transit Coordination Guidebook by Carol Abel Lewis, Ph.D. Director and Associate Professor Texas Southern University Laura Higgins Associate Research Scientist Texas Transportation Institute Judy Perkins, Ph.D. Professor Prairie View A&M University F. Benjamin Zhan, Ph.D. Professor Texas State University—San Marcos XuWei Chen Research Associate Texas State University—San Marcos Report 0-5345-P1 Project 0-5345 Project Title: Regional Public Transportation Solutions for Intercity Commute Traffic Performed in cooperation with the Texas Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration September 2006 Published: January 2009 Center for Transportation Training and Research Texas Southern University 3100 Cleburne Houston, Texas 77004 Texas Transportation Institute Texas A&M University System MS 3135 College Station, Texas 77843-3135 Disclaimer The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and accuracy of the data presented. The contents do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Texas Department of Transportation or the Federal Highway Administration. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. It is not intended for construction, bidding, or permit purposes. The United States Government and the State of Texas do not endorse products or manufacturers. Trade or manufacturers’ names appear herein solely because they are considered essential to the object of this report. Acknowledgments Special thanks are extended to the Texas Department of Transportation, particularly Paul Moon, Karen Dunlap, and Loretta Brown for initiating this work and supporting the research team throughout the project. Additional support was provided by the following: • Seattle and Tacoma, Washington Metropolitan Area Mike Bergman, Sound Transit • Phoenix Metropolitan Area David Boggs, Valley METRO • Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and Ventura, California Counties and San Bernardino Associated Governments Joanna Capelle, Southern California Regional Rail Authority • Atlanta Metropolitan Area David Jackson, Greater Atlanta Regional Transportation Authority • Denver Metropolitan Region Derek Crider, Carter & Burgess, Inc. • Warren Whiteaker, Front Range Express (FREX) • Houston-Galveston Area Council Alan Clark, Chris Van Slyke, ChiPing Lam iii Table of Contents GUIDEBOOK OBJECTIVE ..................................................................................... 1 How to Use This Guidebook .................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1. Coordinated Public Transportation and Mobility Management ......... 3 Considering Coordinated Service for Inter-Regional Travel ...................................... 3 Benefits of Coordinated Regional Transit ................................................................ 4 State of the Practice: Coordination in Texas ........................................................... 5 El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) .............................................. 5 North Central Texas COG .................................................................................... 6 Sherman-Denison MPO/Texoma Area COG ......................................................... 6 Corpus Christi/Coastal Bend Council of Governments ........................................ 7 Harris County Coordinated Transportation Study ................................................ 7 Gulf Coast Transportation Council ...................................................................... 7 Fort Bend County Transit ................................................................................... 7 Killeen-Temple MPO and the Heart of Texas Council of Governments (HOTCOG) .. 8 CARTS ................................................................................................................ 8 Transportation Demand Management and Trip Reduction Strategies ...................... 8 Additional Resource ............................................................................................... 9 Chapter References ................................................................................................ 9 Chapter 1 Evaluation — Coordinated Public Transportation and Mobility Management ............................................................................................ 11 Chapter 2. Strategies and Methods of Organization .......................................... 13 Build a Broad Coalition of Stakeholders ............................................................... 13 Create a Common Agenda for Transportation Needs ............................................. 14 Focus on Planning, Flexibility, and Sustainability ................................................. 14 Planning ........................................................................................................... 14 Flexibility .......................................................................................................... 15 Sustainability ................................................................................................... 15 Administration and Management Strategies .......................................................... 16 Configurations .................................................................................................. 16 Delineate Decision-Making Process ....................................................................... 19 Establish a Purpose Statement and Operating Concepts ....................................... 20 Establish a Purpose Statement ......................................................................... 20 Establish Operating Concepts ........................................................................... 21 Overcoming Barriers ............................................................................................ 21 Communicate ................................................................................................... 22 Distinguish “Actual” versus “Perceived” Barriers ................................................ 22 Address Actual Barriers .................................................................................... 22 Additional Examples of Regional Approaches ..................................................... 23 Interlining and Intercity Bus Services: Greyhound’s Rural Service Feeder Program 23 Chapter References .............................................................................................. 24 Chapter 2 Evaluation — Strategies and Methods for Organization ........................ 25 Chapter 3. Providing Transit Information ......................................................... 29 Coordinate Information ........................................................................................ 29 Encourage Participation .................................................................................... 29 v Picture the End Result ...................................................................................... 30 Plan for Data Coordination and Maintenance .................................................... 30 Use Information Technologies ............................................................................... 30 ITS Architecture ................................................................................................ 30 Lessons Learned – Product Selection and Implementation ................................. 32 Regional Transit Directories ................................................................................. 33 Data Needs and Agreements .............................................................................. 33 User Interfaces .................................................................................................. 34 Examples .......................................................................................................... 34 Regional Trip Planning (Fixed-Route Transit) ........................................................ 35 Data Needs and Agreements .............................................................................. 36 User Interfaces .................................................................................................. 37 Examples .......................................................................................................... 37 Enhancements to Regional Transit Information Systems ....................................... 38 Online Reservations for Demand-Response Transit ............................................ 38 Real-Time Transit Information ........................................................................... 39 Additional Resources ............................................................................................ 39 Chapter References .............................................................................................. 41 Chapter 3 Evaluation — Providing Transit Information ......................................... 42 Chapter 4. Specialized Transportation: Demand-Responsive, Paratransit Complement to Fixed-Route Service and Client Transportation ....................... 45 Specialized Transportation ................................................................................... 45 Demand-Responsive Services ............................................................................ 45 Complementary Paratransit Services ................................................................. 45 Client Transportation .......................................................................................