Technical Memorandum One Deliverables Covered in this Technical Memo: Task 2.1: Technology Maturity Assessment Task 2.2: Technology Trends and Opportunities Task 2.3: Industry Peer Review TransitPlus Team Technical Memorandum One -DRAFT 11-02-2020 Table of Contents CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND......................................................................... 1 Greater Minnesota Transit Technology Plan ................................................................................................ 1 Transit Technology Challenges and Opportunities....................................................................................... 3 CHAPTER 2: BACKGROUND ON TRANSIT TECHNOLOGY................................................................ 6 Building Blocks and Considerations .............................................................................................................. 6 Establishing a Common Vocabulary ........................................................................................................... 12 CHAPTER 3: TECHNOLOGY MATURITY ASSESSMENT .................................................................. 20 Existing Plans Summary .............................................................................................................................. 20 Online Survey.............................................................................................................................................. 27 Survey Results ............................................................................................................................................. 28 Greater Minnesota Technology Initiatives ................................................................................................. 36 Regional Coordination ................................................................................................................................ 40 Conclusions ................................................................................................................................................. 40 CHAPTER 4: PEER REVIEW FINDINGS ......................................................................................... 42 Introduction and Approach ........................................................................................................................ 42 Summary of Key Findings ........................................................................................................................... 44 Detail on Key Findings ................................................................................................................................ 46 Peer Agency Conclusions ............................................................................................................................ 52 CHAPTER 5: TRENDS AND OPPORTUNITIES ................................................................................ 53 Introduction and Approach ........................................................................................................................ 53 Data and Technology Tools ........................................................................................................................ 53 The Need for Support ................................................................................................................................. 56 Technology Program Definition .................................................................................................................. 60 Conclusions and Opportunities .................................................................................................................. 61 Greater Minnesota Transit Technology Plan – Technical Memo 1 Page i TransitPlus Team Technical Memorandum One -DRAFT 11-02-2020 Table of Tables Table 3.2: GTFS and Trip Planners in Small Urban Areas ........................................................................... 33 Figure 3.1: 2020 Broadband Availability .................................................................................................... 39 Table 4.1: Interview Participants and their Organizations ......................................................................... 43 Table of Figures Figure 2.1: Perspectives and Functions of Technology ................................................................................ 7 Figure 2.2: Centralized to Distributed Technology Functions .................................................................... 11 Figure 2.3: Information Flow ...................................................................................................................... 12 Figure 3-1: Respondents by Type of Agency .............................................................................................. 27 Figure 3.2: Computer Networks by Type of Agency ................................................................................... 28 Figure 3.3: How do you service computer systems? .................................................................................. 28 Figure 3.4: What is on your website? ......................................................................................................... 29 Figure 3.5: What types of social media do you use? .................................................................................. 29 Figure 3.6: Means of Communication ........................................................................................................ 30 Figure 3.7: Number of Methods Used to Communicate ............................................................................ 30 Figure 3.8: Are there connectivity issues?.................................................................................................. 31 Figure 3.9: Transit Systems Reporting Connectivity Issues ........................................................................ 31 Figure 3.10: Type of Service Operated ....................................................................................................... 32 Figure 3.11: Trip Scheduling Systems ......................................................................................................... 33 Figure 3.12: Does your system have…? ...................................................................................................... 34 Figure 3.13: Fare Types Accepted .............................................................................................................. 34 Figure 3.14: 2020 Broadband Availability .................................................................................................. 39 Figure 5.1: Models of Centralized versus Distributed Technology Functions ............................................ 59 Greater Minnesota Transit Technology Plan – Technical Memo 1 Page ii TransitPlus Team Technical Memorandum One -DRAFT 11-02-2020 Chapter 1: Introduction and Background Greater Minnesota Transit Technology Plan This chapter presents the Greater Plan Purpose Minnesota Transit Technology Plan, the reasons for it, and introduces the The Greater Minnesota Transit Technology Plan will identify how to support ideas of the subsequent chapters. the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and transit systems within the state as they evaluate and implement technology solutions. The purpose of this plan is to take a strategic approach to the development of transit technology in Minnesota, providing MnDOT with tools to assist in determining how best to develop transit technology throughout Greater Minnesota. This plan will consider the specific technologies needed by transit systems while also taking a broader systems approach to identify how to develop a statewide digital network and support interoperability. It is intended that this plan will: • Define the technology that is most appropriate and suited to the effective delivery of transit services • Identify technology that meets the needs of transit customers • Support transit systems in transitioning to the digital age The Transit Technology Plan will also provide a framework for developing technology, criteria for evaluating proposed projects, and a plan for implementation. This first technical memorandum provides information on the current state of technology deployment in Greater Minnesota and an assessment of the state of transit technology across the nation. It provides a basis for discussion of priority needs and development of goals. Transit systems in Greater Minnesota have identified the need for more technology as they seek to operate efficiently and to communicate effectively with customers and are applying for funding for technology development. Plan Development Process MnDOT selected TransitPlus, a consulting team with expertise in transit technology, to work with all key stakeholders to develop this Transit Technology Plan. The team is also working with a Steering Committee of transit systems to coordinate and support the engagement and plan-development process. Plan documents and Steering Committee meetings will be posted on the project website at https://greatermntransittech.com. Appendix A is a list of Steering Committee members and Appendix B contains the Public and Stakeholder Engagement Plan. Greater Minnesota Transit Technology Plan – Technical Memo 1 Page 1 Chapter 1: Introduction and Background, Section - Greater Minnesota Transit Technology Plan TransitPlus Team Technical Memorandum One -DRAFT 11-02-2020 TransitPlus is directly engaging staff from approximately 50 rural, Tribal, and small urban