Barriers and Constraints Review of Concepts Regional Planning

Barriers and Constraints Review of Concepts Regional Planning and Public Transportation Coordination Workshop Wednesday, November 8, 2006 1

Expected Outcomes for Today • Review concepts: Barriers and Constraints • Summarize contributions from regional reports • Receive additional comments from regional stakeholders • Share solutions to constraints • Highlight best practices 2

What is a Barrier? • Something that obstructs • Structure blocking access; structure intended to prevent access or to keep one program separate from another 3

How to Recognize a Barrier? • • Written into statute Written into code Written into regulation Written into contract language for funding agreement • Written policy 4

What is a Constraint? • Limiting factor • Something that limits the freedom to act • A practice or other force that limits freedom of action • Restriction, limitation • Challenge requiring initiative to resolve 5

How to Recognize a Constraint? • Challenge or problem that cannot be tied back to a specific Barrier • Not codified, reported but not referenced 6

Examples of Constraints • • • Historical practice Misinformation Reaction to perceived Barrier Transportation myths Institutional conflicts Agency turf issues 7

Overview Regional Reports • • • 24 Regions 162 Barriers 215 Constraints Range 4 to 35 On average 16 per region 8

Review Team • Members of the Study Group • Tx. DOT Public Transportation Division • Texas Transportation Institute • Available for review by all regions www. Regional. Service. Planning. org 9

Approach for Today • Emphasis on consistent themes across regions • Focus on Barriers that call for the attention of the Texas Transportation Commission • Seize the opportunity to share solutions to Constraints 10

Identifying the Barriers • Something that obstructs • Structure intended to prevent access or to keep one program separate from another • Statute • Regulation • Policy 11

Barrier: Alternative Fuels • Barrier: Policy • Responsible Agency: Tx. DOT • Reference: Texas Alternative Fuels Program 12

Barrier: Alternative Fuels • Requirement to purchase alternative fueled vehicles • Increase in costs for vehicle purchase, vehicle maintenance, fuel • Performance issues with alternatively fueled vehicles 13

Barrier: Alternative Fuels • Limited access to fuel • Challenge to find mechanics with necessary skills • Limited availability of parts • Operating limits due to low miles/gallon 14

Barrier: Alternative Fuels • Possible Solutions – Request Tx. DOT to adopt an emissions-based policy rather than fuel-based policy for the purchase of vehicles – Request Tx. DOT to adopt tiered requirements for near/non-attainment and attainment areas – Permit other clean fuels approved by EPA 15

Barrier: Access to Fuel at State Facilities • Barrier: Policy • Responsible Agency: Tx. DOT • Reference: Legal Opinion by Tx. DOT General Counsel 16

Barrier: Access to Fuel at State Facilities • Applicable statutes prohibit the ability of Tx. DOT to sell fuel from state owned facilities • Tx. DOT facilities typically have a supply of fuels (including propane) in rural areas 17

Barrier: Access to Fuel at State Facilities • Possible Solutions – Request Tx. DOT to take appropriate steps to change policy, regulatory or statutory barriers in order to allow providers of public transportation to fuel public transportation vehicles at Tx. DOT facilities – Request Tx. DOT to develop fueling centers – Request Tx. DOT to use power of bulk purchase to provide cost advantage for public transportation 18

Barrier: Share Use of Vehicles • Barrier: Federal and State Agencies do not permit other agencies to use vehicles • Responsible Agency: Various • Reference: Agency policies 19

Barrier: Share Use of Vehicles • Vehicles are restricted by trip purpose, passenger criterion • Trips may be restricted as to origin and destination 20

Barrier: Share Use of Vehicles • Possible Solutions – Agency to Agency communications – Tx. DOT approach peer agencies to investigate flexibility, opportunities 21

Barrier: Options for Local Funding • Barrier: Statute/Constitution • Responsibility: Legislature • Reference: Statutes specifying sources of eligible funding; Constitutional limits on tax rates 22

Barrier: Options for Local Funding • Applicable statutes permit a local sales tax dedicated to transit in specific urban areas with transit authorities • Constitutional limit on state plus local option sales tax = 8. 25% 23

Barrier: Options for Local Funding • Most areas of the state must access general revenues to fund transit • General revenue is stretched very thin especially in small cities and rural counties • Legislation allows limited flexibility to use other sources of local revenue for public transportation 24

Barrier: Options for Local Funding • Possible Solutions – Support regional initiatives for Constitutional amendment to allow local option to exempt transit dedicated tax from total sales tax limits – Request legislation to permit additional jurisdictions to request local option sales tax dedicated to transit 25

Barrier: Options for Local Funding • Possible Solutions – Request legislation to permit eligible use of hotel-motel tax for public transportation by local option – Request legislation to permit a fee per pedestrian for boarding crossings 26

Barrier: Options for Local Funding • Possible Solutions – Request legislation/ possibly Constitutional amendment to permit counties to additional dollar(s) on vehicle registration fees to be dedicated to public transportation – Request legislation to permit increase in percent state excise tax on motor fuels to be used for public transportation 27

Barrier: Options for Local Funding • Possible Solutions – Provide incentives for public/private partnerships that will permit private investment into public transportation – Use tools such as comprehensive development agreements and tax credits for public transportation mode 28

The following Barriers added by request of Regions 29

Barrier: Need for Reliable Vehicles • Public transportation vehicle fleets are aged, vehicles often operate well beyond intended service life in years and miles • Alternatively fueled vehicles are often out of service due to maintenance or fueling problems 30

Barrier: Need for Reliable Vehicles • Possible Solutions – Request Tx. DOT to adopt an emissions-based policy rather than fuel-based policy for vehicles – Request Tx. DOT technical assistance to resolve performance alternatively fueled vehicles – Tx. DOT support to identify capital funding for vehicle replacement – Statewide vehicle procurement 31

Barrier: Federal Funding Policy • Instability of timing for release of federal program funds • Restrictions on use of large urban 5307 funds for operating • Insufficient funds to respond to demand for public transportation 32

Barrier: Federal Funding Policy • Possible Solutions – Ask Tx. DOT and partner agencies/providers to impress upon federal agencies the need for stable funding cycle – Support legislation to provide greater flexibility for use of 5307 funds for operating 33

The following Constraints were moved forward as Barriers 34

Barrier: Medical Transportation Program Requirements • 48 -hour advance reservation requirement for MTP trips is not enforced by HHS • In practice, many reservations are taken with little advance notice • Many transportation providers are unable to optimize service schedules with short notice 35

Barrier: Medical Transportation Program Requirements • Regions report difficulty in coordinating due to MTP requirements due to the following myths (not facts) – MTP does not allow trip chaining – MTP does not permit shared trips – MTP does not permit children to ride with parents 36

Barrier: Medical Transportation Program Requirements • Possible Solutions – Agency to Agency communications – Include client education as a component of the pilot – Pilot a project for MTP users to make reservations [at least 24 -hours] in advance 37

Barrier: Medical Transportation Program Requirements • Possible Solutions – Debunk myths – Demonstrate how client transportation and public transportation service goals can be complementary – Pilot a Public/Private project to demonstrate ways to encourage medical providers to work with transportation providers to assist in scheduling appointments, providing assistance in arranging pickup times 38

Barrier: Cost Allocation • Multipurpose agencies are often unable to identify and disaggregate costs for providing transportation • Providers need to allocate costs – Between programs – Between jurisdictions • Providers need tools to identify costs for shared services 39

Barrier: Cost Allocation • Possible Solutions – Develop a pilot project to demonstrate how to identify and leverage agency investment in transportation – Agency to Agency communication emphasize the need to identify and invest transportation dollars – Ask Tx. DOT to develop a user manual and guidance on cost allocation – Ask Tx. DOT to provide specific training in cost allocation 40

Identifying Constraints • Challenge or problem that is not codified, reported but not referenced to a Barrier • Historical practice • Misinformation; Transportation Myths • Reaction to perceived Barrier • Institutional conflicts • Agency turf issues 41

Constraint: Participation HHS • Participation of HHS entities has been inconsistent – Some regions enjoy active HHS participation – Other regions report challenges • HHS involvement is required for ultimate success of coordination 42

Constraint: Participation HHS • Possible Solutions – Agency to Agency communications – Tx. DOT work to strengthen relationships with HHS entities and their role in the future of coordination – Replicate regional experiences/initiatives that are best practices 43

Constraint: Participation HHS • Best Practices – Houston-Galveston providing low-cost training to drivers and Harris County Rides program – Lower Rio Grande Valley outreach to Work Force and winning commitments from agencies – ARKTEX transportation contract – East Texas Cherokee County MRA sharing vehicle and drivers, overcoming insurance for volunteer drivers (Cherokee County MHMR) 44

Constraint: Differences in Policy and Practice • Regional coordination efforts place a spotlight on “cultural differences” in client and system approaches to public transportation • Communication precedes coordination • Doors of opportunity are unlocked but not opened 45

Constraint: Differences in Policy and Practice • Possible Solutions – Agency to Agency communications – Acknowledge/ recognize these differences and work with partners to establish common goals and address differences in strategies and practices 46

Constraint: Differences in Policy and Practice • Possible Solutions – Support initiative for MTP and public transportation stakeholders to compare operating practices and possibly define common guidelines for service – Involve HHS agencies – Pilot project to demonstrate application of common service guidelines 47

Constraint: Differences in Policy and Practice • Best Practices from Regions – Capital Area coordination with HHS for services – Central Texas already providing client transportation and existing relationships – West Central TX has four agencies working together and created momentum by breaking down one barrier at a time – Deep East Texas recognizes common goals at local level and builds from base of goals 48

Constraint: Information Technology • Need advanced information technology (AVL, smart cards, mobile computers) to ensure interagency coordination • Existing application of technology is fragmented • Different providers use different software 49

Constraint: Information Technology • Possible Solutions – Follow demonstration projects for application of advanced information technology – Develop a set of interoperability standards for future purchase of software – Pilot project to develop interface software to bridge existing incompatible software – Ensure Tx. DOT District ITS architecture is used 50

Constraint: Information Technology • Resource: Background Paper from TTI • Best Practices from Regions – Lower Rio Grande Valley (Brownsville) – Upper Rio Grande Valley (El Paso pilot ITS project) – Capital Area (CARTS demonstration smart card technology for FTA) – Houston-Galveston (Harris County Rides fare card) 51

Constraint: Facilitating Longer Distance Trips • Passengers may need to travel long distances across regions • Drivers and vehicles assigned to longer distance trips are unproductive during layover • Passengers may not be comfortable if long distance trips requires transfers 52

Constraint: Facilitating Longer Distance Trips • Possible Solutions – Seamless trip scheduling involving multiple providers – Coordinating with intercity transportation providers – Regional coordination of resources – assigning trips to drivers and vehicles in destination region – Pilot project to demonstrate ways to ensure safety and comfort of passengers making long distance trips 53

Constraint: Facilitating Longer Distance Trips • Best Practices from Regions – Middle Rio Grande coordinates trips among providers and developed MOUs to share trips and reduce wait times – Permian Basin - West Texas Opportunities assigns work to drivers/vehicles from adjacent regions – Texoma - TAPS connects to DART, rides from V. A. to Greyhound, and provides single point service access 54

Constraint: Driver Qualifications and Skill Training • Lack of common qualifications for driver candidates for various agencies • Requirement for CDL for most vehicles types • Lack of standard training curriculum • Challenges to recruiting driver candidates and retaining drivers 55

Constraint: Driver Qualifications and Skill Training • Possible Solutions – Develop a common set of guidelines for driver qualifications – Develop standard driver training curriculum – Encourage a resource for driver training for all providers 56

Constraint: Driver Qualifications and Skill Training • Possible Solutions – Provide focused training module to help driver candidates earn CDL license – Pilot project so demonstrate how agencies can share drivers to improve opportunity for steady work, shared services 57

Constraint: Driver Qualifications and Skill Training • Resource: Background Paper from TTI • Best Practices from Regions – Upper Rio Grande proposes to use school bus drivers on weekends – Heart of Texas - all drivers have CDL – all drivers can be shared – Many Regions include background checks and CDL as minimum 58

Constraint: Limited Expertise • Agencies identified limits on the technical expertise of staff – Informational technology, especially for use of automated software reservations/scheduling – Vehicle mechanics, especially for alternative fueled vehicles – Marketing 59

Constraint: Limited Expertise • Possible Solutions – Develop technical training programs in partnership with local community colleges or larger transit systems – Provide funding for pilot training program that could be replicated in other regions – Specialized training classes with possible web application 60

Constraint: Limited Expertise • Best Practices from Regions – Upper Rio Grande: transit authority is inviting drivers from other providers to training classes; cooperating with community college for mechanic training – Deep East Texas: use peer-to-peer training 61

Constraint: Vehicle Specifications • Limitations are imposed by requirements for vehicle types, size, equipment required • Many types of vehicles are not appropriate for service area • Majority of transportation users are ambulatory • Need to match vehicle specification to transportation need 62

Constraint: Vehicle Specifications • Possible Solutions – Suggested revision in Tx. DOT policy for alternative fueled vehicles – Request Tx. DOT to permit waiver for vehicles that will be used in remote, off-paved roadway service areas 63

Constraint: Vehicle Specifications • Possible Solutions – Request Tx. DOT to modify practice to emphasize service accessibility rather than fleet accessibility for demand response services within ADA obligations – Request Tx. DOT to provide guidelines to qualify and meet continuing obligations for waiver for 100% accessible fleet within ADA obligations – Share information on use of private transportation to provide public transportation trips 64

Constraint: Vehicle Specifications • Resources: – Background Paper from TTI (in progress) – Tx. DOT Research on Use of Private Providers 65

Constraint: Insurance • Perceived restrictions on use of vehicles • Limitations for driver qualifications • Information about agency liability and types of insurance coverage • Sources of insurance coverage • Cost containment 66

Constraint: Insurance • Possible Solutions – Document and inform providers to correct misunderstanding of limitations on use of vehicles – Share information on insurance solutions – Leverage collective purchasing power to develop forms of coverage that are most appropriate – Investigate merits of an insurance risk pool 67

Constraint: Insurance • Resources: – CTAA resources – Background Paper from TTI (in progress) • Best Practices from Regions – East Texas: Cherokee County Mental Retardation Association [CCMRA] shared use van) – TEXOMA: TAPS uses Texas Municipal League – Deep East Texas lists drivers as “additional insured” 68

Constraint: Purchasing Power • Pool buying power to lower prices • Reduce agency burdens for procurement • Agencies lack resources for effective procurement strategies 69

Constraint: Purchasing Power • Possible Solutions – Texas Building and Procurement Commission – H-GAC Cooperative Purchasing Program – Approach one or both of these resources to develop a specific program for public transportation vehicles, equipment, parts and supplies, skill training 70

Constraint: Purchasing Power • Best Practices from Regions – Several Regions have already used H-GAC Cooperative Purchase Program 71

Constraint: Communicating the Importance of Public Transportation • Local government representatives may not understand the role of public transportation in the economic strength of the community and the quality of life of residents • Local government representatives and some partner agencies are not aware of the limited funding resources available for a growing demand for public transportation • Public transportation providers or partner agencies may not have the communications skills or tools to deliver the needed messages 72

Constraint: Communicating the Importance of Public Transportation • Possible Solutions – Share communications messages – Develop strategies for communications as part of training in marketing public transportation – Partner with associations to provide background materials and talking points 73

Constraint: Communicating the Importance of Public Transportation • Best Practices from Regions – County Judges and Mayors participate on Steering Committees – Regional Steering Committee interaction and joint meetings with MPO and Rural Boards – Local News Coverage: Using rural newspapers (articles and advertising), Local TV reports on meetings 74

Additional Constraints from Regions • Jurisdictional boundaries • Demand for public transportation by Mexican Nationals in border cities • Census population data is not updated except every 10 years 75

Additional Constraints from Regions • Counties without any rural public transportation • Private company and agency confidentiality of specific trip information 76