Advisory Board
Meeting Minutes (Sept. 14, 2005)

Attendees

Advisory Board Members:

• Alan Abeson, Easter Seals Project ACTION
• Keven Anderson, Minnesota Department of Transportation
• Ron Baumgart, Dakota Transit Association
• Art Bowen, Utah Urban and Rural Specialized Transportation Association
• Julia Bommelman, Metropolitan Area Transit - Fargo
• Bruce Fuchs, North Dakota Department of Transportation
• Gene Griffin, Director, Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute
• Lyn Hellegaard, Montana Transit Association
• Ryan Marshall, Utah Urban and Rural Specialized Transportation Association
• Sean Solan, Wyoming Public Transportation Association
• Tom Seyaert, Montana Department of Transportation
• Lori Van Beek, Metropolitan Area Transit - Moorhead
• Carol Wright, James River Transit

SURTC Staff:

• Gary Hegland, Associate Research Fellow
• Sue Hendrickson, Administrative Assistant
• Jill Hough, Director
• Tom Jirik, Communications Coordinator
• Jon Mielke, Associate Research Fellow
• Jim Miller, Faculty Associate
• Del Peterson, Associate Research Fellow
• David Ripplinger, Associate Research Fellow
• Tara Schumacher, Undergraduate Assistant
• Dustin Ulmer, Graduate Research Assistant
• Yan Wang, Graduate Research Assistant

Guests:

• Pam Gulleson, Representative of U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan
• Ron Hynes, Federal Transit Administration
• Jackie Mattheis, South Dakota Department of Transportation
• Craig Schnell, North Dakota State University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
• Dave Sprynczynatyk, Director, North Dakota Department of Transportation
• Chris Zeilinger, Community Transportation Association of America

Tour and overview of the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute (UGPTI) facilities including the Advanced Traffic Analysis Center, Transportation Learning Center, DOT Support Center, and Mountain-Plains Consortium (8:00 am)

Welcome and introductions, NDSU Alumni Center (9:00 am)

Craig Schnell, NDSU

Dr. Schnell began by welcoming everyone, especially those who traveled great distances to the meeting. He then commented on the relationship between SURTC, UGPTI, and North Dakota State University, as well as the quality work being done by the two transportation groups.

Gene Griffin, UGPTI

Mr. Griffin continued the welcome and said that he was sure that SURTC would benefit significantly by the end of the day's meetings.

Pam Gulleson, on behalf of U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan

Ms. Gulleson read a letter from U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan that touched on the importance of transportation in general, public transportation in specific, and the role of and work done by SURTC and UGPTI to improve our transportation system.

Dave Sprynczynatyk, ND DOT

Director Sprynczynatyk began by welcoming everyone to Fargo. His first remarks focused on the benefits of partnerships between groups. He also spoke of the strong relationship that exists between local, state, and federal entities involved in transportation in North Dakota. Director Sprynczynatyk noted that the new transportation bill will result in a 50 percent increase in the state's transit budget. Next, he commented about the relationship between the ND DOT and SURTC and encouraged other states to take advantage of this great resource.

One promising research opportunity in North Dakota that involves SURTC is the utilization of school buses to provide community transportation. The DOT and SURTC are also working to update the statewide transit business plan. Another opportunity is NDinfo.org, a Web-based information portal.

SURTC Update

Ms. Hough began by welcoming the new advisory board members from Utah, Ryan Marshall and Art Bowen.

Ms. Hough then began her presentation updating the advisory board on the accomplishments of SURTC since the last annual meeting as well as reviewing the Center's vision and goals. In the past year, SURTC has completed research on a statewide passenger mobility plan, the use of ITS in transit, and a commuter express bus study. It has also finished the third year of the campus transit study, a paratransit service boundary study, and a study on demographics. Research in progress include a commuter van pool study, a study on transportation of the rural elderly, research on school bus routing, and a study on small bus manufacturing.

Ms. Hough then spoke about a number of SURTC projects during the last year that involved training and outreach. In the spring, SURTC delivered an undergraduate/graduate course in public transportation. The bus shelter design project is continuing with the shelters currently being constructed. A transit satisfaction survey was developed in conjunction with a psychology research methods class at NDSU. Two training sessions, one on Web page development, the other on business plan development, will be held in 2005. A survey to gather information on additional training needs is currently under development. A training program for the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) is also being developed.

Since the last meeting, SURTC has rewritten the study manual for the Certified Community Transit Manager (CCTM) exam. A multi-state RTAP library is now housed within SURTC. SURTC continues to maintain the Dakota Transit Association (DTA), Montana Transit Association (MTA), as well as its own website. SURTC also maintains a discussion board. In addition, SURTC publishes two newsletters each year as well as the DTA newsletter.

Next, Mr. Griffin presented a graphic that displayed a continuum with basic research on the left and outreach and technology transfer on the right. The question then raised by Mr. Griffin was, "Where on this line should SURTC be?" The general consensus of the group was between applied research and outreach.

Ms. Hough then asked the group for any comments they might have on the mission, vision and goals of which there were none.

Download Jill Hough's presentation (PDF, 616K)

National Perspective

Ron Hynes, Deputy Associate Administrator, Federal Transit Administration

SURTC has been performing well with its professional approach to transit research, education, and technology sharing. FTA's strategic research plan, including its vision, mission, and purpose of research were presented as were FTA's goals of increasing ridership, improving efficiency, improving safety and emergency preparedness, and protecting the environment and promoting energy independence.

Highlights from the new transportation bill include an increase in funding from $251 million in FY 2005 to $465 million in FY 2007. Mr. Hynes also noted that non-DOT funds may now be used as local match. He also spoke about special provisions for Indian tribes, intercity busing and federal lands transportation.

FTA funds available for university research have increased by $1 million to $7 million annually while those from the FHWA will increase to $76.4 million from $30 million. This includes 10 national centers, 10 regional centers, 10 tier I centers, and 22 tier II centers.

FTA's priority research projects include the development of management standards, studying the international aspects of transit, developing project management guidelines for small projects, and further study on BRT, the useful life of buses, hybrid vehicles. FTA's 2005 budget is $97.4 million, of which $16 million is discretionary.

Download Ron Hynes' presentation (PDF, 211K)

Chris Zeilinger, Community Transportation Association of America

Mr. Zeilinger began by reminding those in attendance that the latest round of United We Ride grants are now available; proposals are due November 28th. He also stated that this and other information is available from Capitol Clips, CTAA's electronic news service.

Mr. Zeilinger commented on how he was delighted to see reports from SURTC. He noted that while SURTC's work is focused on its service region, its impact is national in scope.

Mr. Zeilinger noted that with the increase in transit monies from the recently passed transportation bill there are increased expectations to get things done. The new bill includes major increases in small and urban transit with funding for transit growing at double the rate of highway spending. As a result, the work organizations like SURTC are doing is going to be even more important. He stated that a challenge for small urban and rural transit agencies will be to find local funds to meet the required match for federal funding formulas. The legislation also calls for greater accountability from transit agencies, requiring them to develop formal transportation plans and document their decision-making process.

Mr. Zeilinger expressed that the increase in rural and small urban transit dollars in the bill is not the result political favoritism. The general sentiment is that transportation is important for the region and nation and this is evident in the increased SURTC dollars. Mr. Zeilinger felt that given the requirements and accountability that accompany these new funds, it might be beneficial for SURTC to research decision-making processes that work best for transit agencies in rural America.

Mr. Zeilinger commented that small urban transit is the wave of the future. CTAA will work with you and others across the country to do everything we can to help.

Mr. Zeilinger elaborated on the need for more formal planning at the state and local level. By FY06 every local entity will need plans in place to receive 5310 funds.

Mr. Zeilinger thanked SURTC for its work on the CCTM manual update.

CTAA will continue to focus on building capacity in leadership and building professional expertise in the industry. There is need for both formal education and internship opportunities. Technical assistance in rural areas remains important. There is a need to further review intercity bus linkages as Greyhound pulls out as well as how national policy decisions affect small communities and rural areas.

Alan Abeson, Easter Seals Project ACTION

Mr. Abeson began by highlighting Easter Seals Project ACTION initiatives. Primary among these is the new freedom initiative. Mr. Abeson also brought materials published by his organization, including a summary of the implications of the new transportation bill on accessible transportation (SAFETEA-LU). (PDF, 52K)

Among the issues of interest to Mr. Abeson and Project ACTION are people not taking advantage of existing transit services, the job or school access needs of disabled individuals between the ages of 13-45, and the need for a more accessible pedestrian environment.

Mr. Abeson spoke of the need for increased coordination, especially that between pupil transportation systems and traditional transit properties.

Mr. Abeson also noted that training for transit managers will become an increasingly important issue, particularly for paratransit managers. Those managers will be in greater demand as paratransit agencies grow and urban transit agencies expand their paratransit operations.

Mr. Abeson stated that his group is committed to the spirit of ADA. With an aging population, fuel price increases, and widespread support for public transportation, Abeson commented that now is the time for improving our transportation system.

The value of universal design, including curb cuts for the disabled, skateboards, bikes, wagons, is being recognized. Mr. Abeson also noted that given the limited amount of money for transportation that changes are necessary, especially as our population ages and stops driving.

Ms. Hough briefly explained the Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP). TCRP works under the Transportation Research Board to select research projects from problem statements submitted from consultants, university researchers, and transit organizations. The Transit Oversight and Project Selection (TOPS) committee representatives select the projects to be researched. TOPS has a large number of representatives from large systems though an individual from a rural system was added this past year.

Regional, State, and Local Issues

Carol Wright, James River Transit

Ms. Wright began by describing the service provided by James River Transit including its bus service which operates 7 days a week and its demand response service which acts like a taxi system. She spoke about the large special needs population in the community James River Transit serves due to the presence of the state hospital, a large population of chronically mental ill individuals, and a huge population of developmentally disabled adults who participate in sheltered workshops who live in the community and in group homes. Jamestown is also the home of the Anne Carlson Center for Children. It is a state-of-the-art school with students from 27 countries. They recently expanded by adding housing on their campus. Students transition out and live in apartments with their own staff. This brings many challenges and opportunities. It is not feasible to expect them to know that tomorrow they'll need a ride at 4:00. A real demand response system is needed.

James River Transit is currently looking at implementing a modified fixed-route or a deviated fixed-route system. They are most interested in how to implement it and integrate these services into a coordinated system. This is not common in communities of its size so they turned to SURTC and received funding to study such a service.

SURTC is very involved with DTA, which has seen great success as a result. Due to SURTC's coordination study, Jamestown now has a strategic planning committee for transportation. Further training opportunities are being considered by DTA and SURTC.

Ms. Wright commented on her experiences with the Transit Cooperative Research Program. She is currently involved with the TCRP panel to motivate communities to support riding public transportation. She urged others to become involved with TCRP.

Jackie Mattheis, South Dakota Department of Transportation

Ms. Mattheis commented on SD DOT's continued work on promoting coordination between different transportation providers. Focus at the DOT is also being placed on individuals with disabilities. The DOT is trying to keep ridership numbers high and is looking for small communities to partner with public transportation providers, to continue building bus facilities, and to review the tradeoff between bus capacity and the cost of their operation.

Lyn Hellegaard, Montana Transit Association

Ms. Hellegaard began by presenting information on recent Montana legislation that removed a barrier of a local transit property from providing service. New language in a state law now allows counties and the state to use CMAQ funds.

Ms. Hellegaard spoke about the work being done with CTAA on tribal coordination. One current possibility is providing bicycles for riders to get to main routes. Other work is being done with Glacier Park with regards to using their currently idle vehicles in the winter. Another major concern in the state is property casualty insurance. Ms Hellegaard echoed Carol's comments regarding TCRP.

Ron Baumgart, Dakota Transit Association

DTA has increased awareness of transportation needs in North and South Dakota and is committed to lobbying to meet its members' needs. DTA recently added an executive director position which has had positive impacts on the organization. In North Dakota, one dollar of the vehicle registration fee will be used for transit. In order for the organization to be successful, DTA needs to think outside the box.

Mr. Baumgart spoke positively about River Cities Transit work with Jim Miller and Dustin Ulmer, both of SURTC, in developing a business plan.

Bruce Fuchs, North Dakota Department of Transportation

Mr. Fuchs stated that the focus at the DOT is to shift away from a program of control to one of enabling local properties. With regards to DTA, Mr. Fuchs commented that he would like them to set large goals for themselves. He also stated that he wants to see more localized training with the training offered at various locations. There is concern about the development a professional cadre of transit managers. Mr. Fuchs also mentioned that he would like to see DTA meet more than once per year.

Mr. Fuchs commented that there needs to be an increase in service in North Dakota, especially to bring service to those who have none. He also noted that five of the thirty three groups with which he works receive no federal funding.

Art Bowen, Utah Urban and Rural Specialized Transportation Association

Mr. Bowen thanked SURTC for the invitation, stated that he was learning a great deal about public transportation, and that he appreciated the style of the forum.

Ryan Marshall, Utah Urban and Rural Specialized Transportation Association

Mr. Marshall began by thanking SURTC for the invitation to attend the annual meeting. He also stated that he recently joined the United We Ride board. In his community paratransit has low ridership as seniors prefer to use services provided by senior centers. Another prominent issue is the need for mechanics. Mr. Marshall is interested in implementing training for specific buses as well as coordinating with school transportation systems. Currently a statewide sales tax, a portion of which would be used for transit, is being considered in Utah.

Tom Steyaert, Montana Department of Transportation

Montana added two new 5311s this year. The DOT is in the process of hiring a consultant to deal with impacts of the absence of adequate intercity transportation alternatives. Finding local match dollars and maintaining records is proving difficult for local transit providers in Montana. Mr. Steyaert stated that he would like to see a coordination plan template that would enable transit providers to develop business plans efficiently.

Sean Solan, Wyoming Public Transportation Association

Mr. Solan commented on the significant funding challenges that have prevailed in Wyoming since 2003. He noted; however, that there appears to be increased interest in transit recently. Mr. Solan's agency serves over 9000 square miles which presents a number of obstacles. For example, a ten month old bus already has 2000,000 miles on it. Local senior centers are unable to come up with a match. Mr. Solan's transit philosophy is not to deny one ride. He also brought up the idea of SURTC going on the road. New Head Start vehicle plans are in his agencies plans in the next year.

Keven Anderson, Minnesota Department of Transportation

Mr. Anderson noted that state dollars are not keeping pace with federal funding of transit. Next fall there will be a vote on whether to use 100 percent of the motor vehicle sales tax to fund transit. A safety policy template for Minnesota's public transit providers will be unveiled this fall at their annual meeting. Also, the Minnesota tribal transportation conference is coming up in a few weeks; the theme of the conference is transportation planning. Mr. Anderson noted that $6 million now will be given directly to the tribes for transportation as opposed to the BIA. Dealing with Head Start regulations are also a large concern in Minnesota.

Lori Van Beek, Metropolitan Area Transit-City of Moorhead

Ms. Van Beek has received an MPO grant and is currently looking at gaps in transit service. Van pool programs continue to receive attention and a new Wahpeton-Fargo/Moorhead route will begin shortly. One issue that Van Beek noted was how to change human services policy to include transit. Her agency is currently translating its brochures into second grade English. It is also increasing its coordination with private and non-profit groups, but insurance remains a big issue. A park-and-ride program has been started with a focus on serving college students and staff.

Julia Bommelman, Metropolitan Area Transit-City of Fargo

Ms. Bommelman spoke about the new MAT bus facility located in Fargo. MAT continues to implement ITS, as it sees beneficial, including security cameras, new routing software, and fare boxes. Its demand response vehicles are now GPS equipped.

Closing

The next SURTC advisory board meeting will be held in the fall of 2006. The date and location of the next meeting have yet to be determined.

Following the closing of the meeting, a tour of the new campus bus shelters and a meeting with those involved in the design process was held at the Downtown Campus.