TransitNews Fall 2012

Tindale-Oliver & Associates, Inc. 1000 N. Ashley Drive Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33602-3059

PRSRT STD U S POSTAGE PAID TAMPA FL PERMIT NO 778

Return Service Requested

TransitNews is a newsletter of Tindale-Oliver & Associates, Inc.

Fall 2012

TransitNews Integrating Transit and Pedestrian Safety into the Project Development Process

New TOA Transit Projects

Contact Us Bill Ball, AICP

Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) (sub‐consultant to TMD) 

Joel Rey, P.E., AICP

Pinellas Community Bus Plan

Florida Department of Transporta on District 1 

Commuter Services Program

Suwanee Valley Transit Authority (Suwannee, Hamilton, and Columbia Coun es) 

If you would like to be added to or removed from our newsletter mailing list, please visit: www.tindaleoliver.com/publications.html TOA is an equal opportunity employer.

Financial Technical Assistance

Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organiza on (MPO) 

Transit and Sidewalk Infrastructure Planning

Space Coast Area Transit (Brevard County) 

Title VI Report Update



New Freedom Grant Sub‐Recipient Monitoring

Lee County Transit (LeeTran) 

www.tindaleoliver.com

Chief Operating Officer bball@tindaleoliver.com

Transit Task Force Support Page 4

Director of Transit Services jrey@tindaleoliver.com

TAMPA 1000 N. Ashley Dr., Suite 400 Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 224-8862

ORLANDO 135 W. Central Blvd., Suite 450 Orlando, FL 32801 (407) 657-9210

BARTOW 545 N. Broadway Bartow, FL 33830 (863) 533-8454

FORT LAUDERDALE 6750 N. Andrews Ave., Suite 200 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 (954) 644-3749

BALTIMORE 1736 Jackson St. Baltimore, MD 21230 (410) 935-8811

In 2011, TOA worked with FDOT District Five staff to develop a methodology that could be used to further enhance the integra on of transit accessibility and pedestrian safety into the District’s project development process. Key considera ons for that methodology were threefold: 1. Prior analysis of crash data indicates that high‐volume transit corridors o en exhibit higher concentra ons of pedestrian crashes. This is because transit tends to operate along higher‐speed, mul ‐lane arterial roads with many retail des na ons. These factors also correlate with a higher incidence of pedestrian crashes.

2. Both high‐volume transit corridors and high‐pedestrian crash corridors tend to run through built‐up urban areas where the arterial road system is constrained and may not be built to modern mul modal and accessibility design standards. Therefore, the opportunity to overhaul the corridors’ mul modal infrastructure through widening and reconstruc on projects is limited.

3. The marginal cost of implemen ng pedestrian safety and accessibility best prac ces is significantly lower if done as part of a larger‐scale project such as rou ne resurfacing, rehabilita on, and restora on (3R) than if done as a stand ‐alone project.

Based on the observed need to enhance accessibility and pedestrian‐oriented design features through both capacity and maintenance‐oriented projects, TOA worked with District Five staff to develop and pilot a methodology that included the following key elements:

1. A priori za on process to iden fy planned projects that are most likely to benefit from addi onal a en on to transit access and pedestrian safety issues. This aspect of the methodology evaluates exis ng/planned transit service, pedestrian crash history, and comprehensive planning and land use factors necessary to support transit.

2. A stakeholder involvement process that incorporates input from transit agency planning and opera ons staffs.

3. A field review approach that incorporates many aspects of the Federal Highway Administra on (FHWA) Pedestrian Safety Audit prompt list to iden fy pedestrian safety issues and opportuni es to incorporate design best prac ces in the project scoping and development process.

Currently, FDOT District Five staff are working with the Office of Project Management to determine the most appropriate approach to implement the methodology within the new FDOT Essen al Discipline Experts (FEDEX) project scoping process.

For more informa on, please contact: Bob Wallace at bwallace@Ɵndaleoliver.com

Inside This Issue FDOT Completes Inspec ons to Verify Use of ARRA Funding

2

TOA Updates

3

New TOA Transit Projects

4

TransitNews is a newsletter of Tindale-Oliver & Associates, Inc.

Fall 2012

FDOT Completes Inspections to Verify Use of ARRA Funding

TOA Updates

Beginning in 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) appropriated $8.4 billion for three major transit programs with the goal of crea ng jobs and inves ng in infrastructure.

2012 Accessing Transit Handbook Update

TOA recently conducted physical inspec ons and verifica on of use for capital equipment funded by ARRA in coopera on with the USF Center for Urban Transporta on Research (CUTR) and the Florida Department of Transporta on (FDOT) State Transit Office. Items inspected as part of this effort were funded through Sec on 5311, a Federal Transit Administra on (FTA) Formula Grant program that supports public transporta on in rural areas with a popula on of less than 50,000. A total of 37 agencies received vehicles and/or other equipment. All inspec ons occurred in April and May 2012.

Good Wheels vehicle purchased with ARRA funding

TOA is working with the FDOT State Transit Office to prepare and develop an updated edi on of Accessing Transit: Design Handbook for Florida Bus Passenger FaciliƟes, Version III. The Transit Office ini ally prepared and published Version I of the handbook in 2004, and Version II was published in 2008. This update will address new and revised standards, criteria, and guidelines at the federal and state levels and will incorporate changes to content, format, and graphics. The handbook is expected to be available for distribu on in early 2013. As part of the handbook roll‐out, FDOT will conduct a number of training sessions or webinars, to be announced later in 2013.

The project comprised physical inspec ons of the following:  

141 vehicles delivered to 31 agencies 52 other capital equipment items/projects delivered to 20 agencies

TOA Transit Team Growing!

TOA welcomes Jessica Vargas Astaiza to the TOA Transit Team. Jessica will be working as a Project Manager in TOA’s Fort Lauderdale office. With this addi on, TOA’s transit staff now totals 15 among TOA’s 50 full‐ me staff. TOA Transit Team staff are now working at all five TOA office loca ons—Tampa, Orlando, Bartow, Fort Lauderdale, and Bal more. We are excited about our growing transit services sec on and the opportuni es that growth will provide to be er serve clients!

The inspec ons specifically included the following ac ons:    

Visually inspec ng each item Verifying the status of each (physically in use, installed, or planned delivery/installa on) Evalua ng the equipment’s general condi on To the extent feasible, determining whether the equipment is being used for its allowed and intended purposes

Opera ons Monitoring for MTA

Field technicians used an inspec on worksheet to document findings and highlight concerns and a complete assessment report was prepared to document the effort and all findings. For most of the agencies inspected as part of this project, a minimal effort would be required to achieve full compliance with ARRA requirements.

For more informa on, please contact: Richard Dreyer, AICP, CCTM rdreyer@Ɵndaleoliver.com

Collier Area Transit bus stop installed using ARRA funding

www.tindaleoliver.com

Page 2

New FDOT D1 Commuter Programs Emphasis

TOA has been selected as the prime consultant to perform opera ons monitoring for the Maryland Transit Administra on (MTA). The three‐year project has a total value of $2.3M with the op on for two addi onal years. TOA has been working with MTA since 2009 on various tasks ranging from ADA‐compliance and mystery rider monitoring to customer service and transit ambassador support. Other on‐call tasks will also be provided

by TOA staff, such as special assignments and customer assistance during unforeseen service disrup ons. The project emphasizes the importance MTA places on rider sa sfac on while ensuring compliance with federal regula ons as well as agency policies and procedures.

Page 3

Now entering our seventh year as a consultant for the FDOT District One Commuter Services program, TOA is excited about the District’s new emphasis on and funding for commuter programs such as vanpools. This change is a direct outgrowth of communica on among District staff and stakeholders and employers and will expand on the services currently being provided in District One.

www.tindaleoliver.com

TransitNews is a newsletter of Tindale-Oliver & Associates, Inc.

Fall 2012

FDOT Completes Inspections to Verify Use of ARRA Funding

TOA Updates

Beginning in 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) appropriated $8.4 billion for three major transit programs with the goal of crea ng jobs and inves ng in infrastructure.

2012 Accessing Transit Handbook Update

TOA recently conducted physical inspec ons and verifica on of use for capital equipment funded by ARRA in coopera on with the USF Center for Urban Transporta on Research (CUTR) and the Florida Department of Transporta on (FDOT) State Transit Office. Items inspected as part of this effort were funded through Sec on 5311, a Federal Transit Administra on (FTA) Formula Grant program that supports public transporta on in rural areas with a popula on of less than 50,000. A total of 37 agencies received vehicles and/or other equipment. All inspec ons occurred in April and May 2012.

Good Wheels vehicle purchased with ARRA funding

TOA is working with the FDOT State Transit Office to prepare and develop an updated edi on of Accessing Transit: Design Handbook for Florida Bus Passenger FaciliƟes, Version III. The Transit Office ini ally prepared and published Version I of the handbook in 2004, and Version II was published in 2008. This update will address new and revised standards, criteria, and guidelines at the federal and state levels and will incorporate changes to content, format, and graphics. The handbook is expected to be available for distribu on in early 2013. As part of the handbook roll‐out, FDOT will conduct a number of training sessions or webinars, to be announced later in 2013.

The project comprised physical inspec ons of the following:  

141 vehicles delivered to 31 agencies 52 other capital equipment items/projects delivered to 20 agencies

TOA Transit Team Growing!

TOA welcomes Jessica Vargas Astaiza to the TOA Transit Team. Jessica will be working as a Project Manager in TOA’s Fort Lauderdale office. With this addi on, TOA’s transit staff now totals 15 among TOA’s 50 full‐ me staff. TOA Transit Team staff are now working at all five TOA office loca ons—Tampa, Orlando, Bartow, Fort Lauderdale, and Bal more. We are excited about our growing transit services sec on and the opportuni es that growth will provide to be er serve clients!

The inspec ons specifically included the following ac ons:    

Visually inspec ng each item Verifying the status of each (physically in use, installed, or planned delivery/installa on) Evalua ng the equipment’s general condi on To the extent feasible, determining whether the equipment is being used for its allowed and intended purposes

Opera ons Monitoring for MTA

Field technicians used an inspec on worksheet to document findings and highlight concerns and a complete assessment report was prepared to document the effort and all findings. For most of the agencies inspected as part of this project, a minimal effort would be required to achieve full compliance with ARRA requirements.

For more informa on, please contact: Richard Dreyer, AICP, CCTM rdreyer@Ɵndaleoliver.com

Collier Area Transit bus stop installed using ARRA funding

www.tindaleoliver.com

Page 2

New FDOT D1 Commuter Programs Emphasis

TOA has been selected as the prime consultant to perform opera ons monitoring for the Maryland Transit Administra on (MTA). The three‐year project has a total value of $2.3M with the op on for two addi onal years. TOA has been working with MTA since 2009 on various tasks ranging from ADA‐compliance and mystery rider monitoring to customer service and transit ambassador support. Other on‐call tasks will also be provided

by TOA staff, such as special assignments and customer assistance during unforeseen service disrup ons. The project emphasizes the importance MTA places on rider sa sfac on while ensuring compliance with federal regula ons as well as agency policies and procedures.

Page 3

Now entering our seventh year as a consultant for the FDOT District One Commuter Services program, TOA is excited about the District’s new emphasis on and funding for commuter programs such as vanpools. This change is a direct outgrowth of communica on among District staff and stakeholders and employers and will expand on the services currently being provided in District One.

www.tindaleoliver.com

Tindale-Oliver & Associates, Inc. 1000 N. Ashley Drive Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33602-3059

PRSRT STD U S POSTAGE PAID TAMPA FL PERMIT NO 778

Return Service Requested

TransitNews is a newsletter of Tindale-Oliver & Associates, Inc.

Fall 2012

TransitNews Integrating Transit and Pedestrian Safety into the Project Development Process

New TOA Transit Projects

Contact Us Bill Ball, AICP

Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) (sub‐consultant to TMD) 

Joel Rey, P.E., AICP

Pinellas Community Bus Plan

Florida Department of Transporta on District 1 

Commuter Services Program

Suwanee Valley Transit Authority (Suwannee, Hamilton, and Columbia Coun es) 

If you would like to be added to or removed from our newsletter mailing list, please visit: www.tindaleoliver.com/publications.html TOA is an equal opportunity employer.

Financial Technical Assistance

Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organiza on (MPO) 

Transit and Sidewalk Infrastructure Planning

Space Coast Area Transit (Brevard County) 

Title VI Report Update



New Freedom Grant Sub‐Recipient Monitoring

Lee County Transit (LeeTran) 

www.tindaleoliver.com

Chief Operating Officer bball@tindaleoliver.com

Transit Task Force Support Page 4

Director of Transit Services jrey@tindaleoliver.com

TAMPA 1000 N. Ashley Dr., Suite 400 Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 224-8862

ORLANDO 135 W. Central Blvd., Suite 450 Orlando, FL 32801 (407) 657-9210

BARTOW 545 N. Broadway Bartow, FL 33830 (863) 533-8454

FORT LAUDERDALE 6750 N. Andrews Ave., Suite 200 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 (954) 644-3749

BALTIMORE 1736 Jackson St. Baltimore, MD 21230 (410) 935-8811

In 2011, TOA worked with FDOT District Five staff to develop a methodology that could be used to further enhance the integra on of transit accessibility and pedestrian safety into the District’s project development process. Key considera ons for that methodology were threefold: 1. Prior analysis of crash data indicates that high‐volume transit corridors o en exhibit higher concentra ons of pedestrian crashes. This is because transit tends to operate along higher‐speed, mul ‐lane arterial roads with many retail des na ons. These factors also correlate with a higher incidence of pedestrian crashes.

2. Both high‐volume transit corridors and high‐pedestrian crash corridors tend to run through built‐up urban areas where the arterial road system is constrained and may not be built to modern mul modal and accessibility design standards. Therefore, the opportunity to overhaul the corridors’ mul modal infrastructure through widening and reconstruc on projects is limited.

3. The marginal cost of implemen ng pedestrian safety and accessibility best prac ces is significantly lower if done as part of a larger‐scale project such as rou ne resurfacing, rehabilita on, and restora on (3R) than if done as a stand ‐alone project.

Based on the observed need to enhance accessibility and pedestrian‐oriented design features through both capacity and maintenance‐oriented projects, TOA worked with District Five staff to develop and pilot a methodology that included the following key elements:

1. A priori za on process to iden fy planned projects that are most likely to benefit from addi onal a en on to transit access and pedestrian safety issues. This aspect of the methodology evaluates exis ng/planned transit service, pedestrian crash history, and comprehensive planning and land use factors necessary to support transit.

2. A stakeholder involvement process that incorporates input from transit agency planning and opera ons staffs.

3. A field review approach that incorporates many aspects of the Federal Highway Administra on (FHWA) Pedestrian Safety Audit prompt list to iden fy pedestrian safety issues and opportuni es to incorporate design best prac ces in the project scoping and development process.

Currently, FDOT District Five staff are working with the Office of Project Management to determine the most appropriate approach to implement the methodology within the new FDOT Essen al Discipline Experts (FEDEX) project scoping process.

For more informa on, please contact: Bob Wallace at bwallace@Ɵndaleoliver.com

Inside This Issue FDOT Completes Inspec ons to Verify Use of ARRA Funding

2

TOA Updates

3

New TOA Transit Projects

4