Travel Behavior and Transportation Planning Insights from the Small Urban Area of Chittenden County, Vermont: An Application of Traveler Segmentation

69A3551747122The primary purpose of this project is to analyze transportation planning and travel behavior in the small urban area of Chittenden County, Vermont. The 2000, 2006, 2012, and 2018 travel surveys conducted for the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission serve as the primary data sources. This survey series was designed to collect information from the public about transportation attitudes as well as priorities for regional transportation planning investments. We use cluster analysis to segment travelers into three modal orientations \u2013 Alternative Oriented, Car Tolerant, and Car Oriented \u2013 based on eight factors: 1. Would Change Travel Behavior with Change in Conditions 2. Perceive Car as Only Option 3. Concerned with Congestion, Safety, and Environmental Impacts 4. Transit/Bike/Walk Enthusiast 5. Prioritized Highway Improvements 6. Prioritizes General Roadway Improvements 7. Prioritizes Incentives for Alternatives 8. Prioritizes Improvements for Transit, Biking, and Walking

McKinleyville Transit Study

69A3551747122The purpose of this project was to provide the Humboldt County Association of Governments (\u201cHCAOG\u201d) and Humboldt Transit Authority (\u201cHTA\u201d) with guidance to inform future investments in public transportation in and around McKinleyville. This project is also an opportunity to assess aspects of the regional public transportation system and explore affordable and innovative investments to improve public transportation offerings. The primary motivation for this project was an interest in assessing an investment in fixed route transit service within McKinleyville, similar to what is available in the City of Eureka via the Eureka Transit Service and the City of Arcata via the Arcata & Mad River Transit System

Commercial Package Delivery through Public Transportation Systems in Rural States

69A3551747122The purpose of this project is to provide information regarding the market potential for last mile package delivery via public transportation in rural areas and on Tribal Lands. The project also provides an opportunity to compile guidance for rural and Tribal transit agencies interested in pursuing package delivery as a source of revenue

Exploratory Research on Transportation Related Issues with Manufacturers in Small Urban, Rural and Tribal Areas Performance

This report presents the challenges manufacturers experience when operating in rural areas, which make up 80% of the land mass in the country. While the literature review found little published information on transportation challenges faced by SMEs and the survey results of this pilot study were limited, it is worth noting that 22% of respondents express the movement of outbound goods as an extremely limiting factor to growth and success. As transportation demand increases and resources remain the same, it is assumed the impact of these challenges will also increase

An Evaluation of RouteMatch Software in the Billings, MT, Special Transit System

This research evaluates the impact of RouteMatch Software on the MET Special Transit service in Billings, MT, and analyzes the gains in service efficiency compared to those achieved with the MET's previous software solution, Mobility Master Software. In this review, before and after quantitative and qualitative data are analyzed, including rides per hour, rides per mile, dispatcher and driver attitudes, and pick up and drop off time performances. The results indicate that MET Special Transit operations were slightly more efficient after the software was installed, and that with a slight gain in efficiency, the RouteMatch Software could have a positive cost to benefit ratio

An Evaluation of RouteMatch Software in the Billings, MT, Special Transit System

This research evaluates the impact of RouteMatch Software on the MET Special Transit service in Billings, MT, and analyzes the gains in service efficiency compared to those achieved with the MET’s previous software solution, Mobility Master Software. In this review, before and after quantitative and qualitative data are analyzed, including rides per hour, rides per mile, dispatcher and driver attitudes, and pick up and drop off time performances. The results indicate that MET Special Transit operations were slightly more efficient after the software was installed, and that with a slight gain in efficiency, the RouteMatch Software could have a positive cost to benefit ratio

Intercity Bus Service Funding and Assessment Methodology

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA)’s 5311(f) program requires that 15 percent of 5311 program funds given to a state be used to develop and support intercity bus (ICB) service. This 15 percent can be waived if the governor certifies that the ICB needs are being met within the state. This certification became harder to justify when FTA began requiring a more stringent consultation process before certification could be given. The objectives of this study are to learn about current practices of ICB service funding mechanisms, funds prioritization, and determination processes and strategies that promote ICB service. An assessment methodology for Montana was developed to determine whether ICB needs are being adequately met and how to allocate funds to support service. The results of this study will be valuable to other states considering developing methodologies for certification and funding allocation purposes

Evacuation Preparedness of Public Transportation in Rural Coast Communities of the North Gulf Region

In 2005, devastating hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit the Gulf Coast of the United States of America, leaving 1,300 people dead, 705 people missing, and destroying over 90,000 square miles of property valued at $80 billion (Nationwide Plan Review-2006). During these natural disasters, coastal communities required mass evacuation and major emergency transportation services, and experienced fuel shortages, traffic congestion, significant delay in civil supplies, frustration and risk during evacuation, and a lack of public transportation for vulnerable populations which literally left them behind. Coastal communities along the I-10 corridor from Florida to Louisiana are predominantly rural. Since the devastating 2005 hurricanes, rural communities within 100 miles of the immediate coastline have experienced rapid growth that has impacted already limited infrastructure. Nearly 40 percent of the country’s transit-dependent population, primarily senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and low-income individuals, live in rural areas. Due to a lack of travel services, rural populations are more automobile dependent than their urban counterparts. When evacuation occurs, rural coastal communities are at high risk and difficult to evacuate in a timely manner due to larger geographical areas, low density and limited resources. Before 2005, public transportation operators in the U.S. did not take the lead on evacuation planning, nor were they viewed as a viable option for evacuation. Now, there is increased national awareness and interest in the role of public transportation in evacuation. Public transportation can perform multiple roles in evacuation and be a successful partner in four tasks of emergency management plans; (1) mitigation, (2) preparedness, (3) response and (4) recovery. Due to public transportation’s capabilities to perform multi-task, it can play an important role in rural communities’ mobilities in emergencies. Now is the time to investigate the role of public transportation and school buses in emergency management for rural areas