Advisory Board
Meeting Minutes (Sept. 13, 2007)

Attendees

Advisory Board Members:

• Alan Abeson, Easter Seals Project ACTION
• Keven Anderson, Minnesota Department of Transportation
• Ron Baumgart, River Cities Public Transit
• Julie Bommelman, Metropolitan Area Transit - Fargo
• Joe Dougherty, Cheyenne Transit Program
• Bruce Fuchs, North Dakota Department of Transportation
• Lyn Hellegaard, Montana Transit Association
• Ron Hynes, Federal Transit Administration
• Ryan Marshall, Utah Urban & Rural Specialized Transportation Association
• Jackie Mattheis, South Dakota Department of Transportation
• Jim Moench, North Dakota Disabilities Advocacy Consortium
• Robert Padgette, American Public Transportation Association
• Pam Ternes, Standing Rock Public Transportation
• Lori Van Beek, Metropolitan Area Transit - Moorhead

SURTC Staff:

• Gary Hegland, Associate Research Fellow
• Jill Hough, Director
• Jon Mielke, Associate Research Fellow
• Jim Miller, Affiliated Faculty
• Del Peterson, Associate Research Fellow
• David Ripplinger, Associate Research Fellow
• Carol Wright, Associate Director of Outreach & Training

Guests:

• Gene Griffin, Director, Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute
• Pam Gulleson, U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan's Office
• Bob Fode, North Dakota Department of Transportation
• David Leftwich, North Dakota Department of Transportation
• Bob Bright, Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments

Welcome and Introductions

Jill Hough, SURTC Director

Greetings from Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute

Gene Griffin, Director

Mr. Griffin provided an overview of the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, North Dakota State University, and the city of Fargo.

Download Gene Griffin's Overview (PDF, 201K)

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

Ms. Gulleson spoke of the importance of the work being performed by the Small Urban & Rural Transit Center. She made note of both the quality and quantity of the program's output.

Bob Fode, on behalf of the ND Dept of Transportation Director Francis Ziegler

Mr. Fode noted the importance of mobility to the residents of North Dakota and the necessity of balancing needs and resources. Mr. Fode spoke about specific work performed by SURTC including the Southwest Demonstration project, the NDinfo.org project, and the updated state transit management plan.

SURTC Update

Jill Hough began by recognizing the work of Susan Hendrickson for planning the annual advisory meeting.

The presentation on SURTC's review of accomplishments during the past year and current efforts began with a review of the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Next, a summary of the Center's fifth anniversary was presented.

Recently completed research projects include: Mobility of Elderly Women Living in Rural and Small Urban North Dakota, Residential and Travel Choices of Elderly Residents: A Case Study, Importance of Transit Access in Apartment Dwellers' Home Choices in Small Urban Areas, SDSU Campus Transit, School Bus Routing, Evaluation of the Small Bus Supply Chain in the United States, Transit Coordination Study for River Cities Transit in Pierre, SD.

Ongoing research projects include: Definition of Rural and Small Urban; Indian Reservation Transit Needs Assessment; Longitudinal Behavior of College Students and Transit Use; City of Brookings: Transportation Gap Analysis; Advanced Small Vehicle Development; Bio-diesel Use in MAT Buses; Relative Desired Mobility of Elderly Women; and Organizing Transit in Rural and Small Urban Locations.

Education efforts include the offering of a graduate/undergraduate course in public transportation, a transportation seminar series, a joint sponsorship with APTA of a special issue of the Journal of the Transportation Research Forum on transit, and participation in the administration of a student paper award at the 2008 Rural and Intercity Bus Conference.

Carol Wright spoke about SURTC's development of an introduction to transit management course. Gary Hegland spoke about SURTC's work with the PASS Certification program.

Carol Wright continued by describing other training efforts including a tribal transit coordination workshop, fundraising and local match workshops, human resource management training, NDDOT mandatory training for transit projects, business and transit development plan training, quality assurance training, vendor show development training, telephone courtesy training, transit board training, and school transportation efficiency training.

Outreach efforts included participation in the National Transit Institute Advisory Board, the Transit Cooperative Research Program Oversight and Project Selection Committee (TOPS), the Transportation Research Board's 2008 Rural and Intercity Bus Conference Planning Committee, the Transportation Research Forum's 2008 Annual Meeting Planning Committee, the North Dakota Statewide Human Service Steering Committee, the National Bus Safety and Security Program Working Group for FTA, and the AARP National Planning Conference on 'The Role of Transportation Planning in Creating Livable Communities.' Efforts also included serving on the National Quality Assurance Committee on Community Transportation Mutual Insurance and the steering committee for Generating Public Involvement in Transportation Policy and Funding Decision Making Process.

SURTC team members participated in six TCRP research project panels and 9 vendor shows. A transportation glossary and resource manual was developed. Gary Hegland received the Training and Safety Reviewer Certification from CTAA. Outreach and training efforts have expanded to include Colorado, Nebraska, and Alaska.

Download Presentation "SURTC: A Review and Preview" (PDF, 118K)

Findings of the Advanced Small Transit Vehicle Market Study

Del Peterson presented the findings of a research project on the small transit vehicle market.

Download Presentation "Advanced Small Transit Advanced Small Transit" (PDF, 243K)

National Perspective

Ron Hynes, Deputy Associate Administrator, Federal Transit Administration

Mr. Hynes noted how SURTC completes its projects successfully. He stated that there is interest in the development of a small transit vehicle. Mr. Hynes spoke of his visit to Valley City following the SURTC Fifth Anniversary Celebration and his visit with the Chinese Minister of Construction. Mr. Hynes was in Minneapolis as part of the DOT's detail following the collapse of the I-35 Bridge. Work to share ideas and encourage trade with other nations is ongoing. Barbara Sisson has left FTA for a position at the Department of Defense. Fuel cells provide promise, although they will not be affordable for some time.

FTA is working with RITA as there is a perception of overlap while, in reality, gaps in research are the norm. Large scale ITS projects are being planned/conducted. In the past decade the number of projects overseen by the Office of Research, Development, and Innovation has increased by 30%, while there has been a decrease in the number of staff.

Robert Padgette, American Public Transportation Association

APTA is looking forward to working with SURTC on the upcoming special issue of the Journal of the Transportation Research Forum. The issue of allocating bus program funding to congestion was discussed; the typical earmarking process did not occur this year. The transportation bill is not expected to be completed prior to October 1. There is discussion that clean-fuel vehicles may be able to be procured without any local match requirements. The collapse of the I-35 Bridge led to a proposed $.05/gallon gas tax. The highway trust fund is projected to go negative in 2009, while the transit trust fund is expected to do so in 2011.

SAFETEA-LU expires in 2009; work has already begun on re-authorization. There is a need for investment in the nation's transportation infrastructure. There has been an increase in the level of coordination of organizations.

APTA is conducting a Visioning Effort: TransitVision 2050. The effort will include identifying the organization's ongoing role within the industry. APTA is conducting a webinar on Sept. 20 on demographics and transit, a subject on which a white paper was just completed. The APTA annual meeting is in Charlotte, NC, October 7-10. APTA is currently recruiting new members.

Alan Abeson, Easter Seals Project ACTION

Jill noted that Al will be retiring in October.

Easter Seals Project ACTION continues to serve in its original mission and now hosts the National Center on Senior Transportation. APTA is developing accessibility standards. An RFP for a study on accessible paths to bus stops was recently announced, as was one on the use of taxis to provide paratransit service. Paratransit eligibility continues to be an important topic as does the cost of providing paratransit service.

Advisory Board Member Comments

Lyn Hellegaard – Montana is ready for reauthorization, but is concerned about funding. Lyn attended a bill hearing on veterans' transportation. There is concern about an uneven playing field with taxi operators, as they are not required to conduct background checks or drug and alcohol testing. Section 5309 money is going to congestion. Section 5310 money in Montana is going to new providers.

Jackie Mattheis – South Dakota has rolled out its JARC and New Freedom funding to providers. They are ready for their procurement of new vehicles. The SDDOT has been busy getting their Section 5311 contract information organized for 2008.

Julie Bommelman – MAT has moved into its new facility, which the group will be able to tour this afternoon. MAT saw an increase in funding during the 2007 legislative session. JARC/New Freedom money has been used to hire a mobility manager. There is significant concern about the increase in cost of paratransit service provision.

Ron Baumgart – JARC/New Freedom monies have been used to purchase new vehicles. River Cities Transit has developed business and transit development plans with SURTC. A travel trainer will soon be hired. All available Section 5311 funds are being used. Ron noted that once again, demand outweighs resources.

Joe Dougherty – Wyoming is benefiting from increased revenues, decreasing the need for local match. The transportation enterprise fund, which is used to purchase vehicles, is well-endowed. Ridership in Cheyenne has increased 50% in the past 3.5 years. A bus barn was recently completed.

Keven Anderson – Double digit increases in ridership are being experienced by transit projects. Work is being completed on the JARC/New Freedom application process. Work with the White Earth Tribe to procure four new vehicles has started. An intermodal center in Detroit Lakes that would connect intercity bus, transit, and Amtrak service is under development. Insurance and coordination are issues of concern.

Dave Leftwich – Recent turnover at the FTA has been well-managed. Dave will be addressing regionalization and coordination with transit providers at the Dakota Transit Association conference in Dickinson.

Pam Ternes – Training sessions provided by SURTC have been well-done. She is disheartened that her Section 5311 grant application (which was used by FTA as model at a tribal transit conference in Albuquerque) was not funded. Carol Wright asked Pam about her thoughts regarding holding follow-up training on tribal transit coordination, which Pam thought was a good idea. Pam would like to see TTAP provide more tribal transit assistance.

Bob Bright – A relationship with Handiwheels is growing. UPASS service will be expanded with the growth of NDSU's downtown campus. Other employers are interested in transit.

Lori Van Beek – The new MAT facility is co-owned; both Fargo and Moorhead employees are located there. Security cameras have been added to Moorhead's fleet. JARC funding will allow higher levels of mid-day service. A study will investigate the expansion of service into Dilworth in 2009. Julie and Lori traveled to St. Cloud to learn about their paratransit system. Monthly travel training sessions on MAT service are now being offered.

Ryan Marshall – UDOT has finished its work on coordination efforts. MPOs and others are now working on coordination plans. Many transit organizations are changing from being city departments to transit authorities. Service across state lines is beginning. URSTA is working with the Department of Workforce Services to provide maintenance training. A forum was held with state legislators to discuss rural transit issues. Ridership is up across Utah. Section 5310 monies are being used to purchase 30 new buses. Issues of concern include coordination, paratransit eligibility, transit funding allocation, and mobility especially among older adults.

Jim Moench – There is a need for 'more' transportation. Information is needed to educate the legislature and local leaders. They need to recognize the needs for and benefits of service. One option would be to identify the transit needs of a particular North Dakota community. The ADA Restoration Act in Congress is intended to return the law to its original vision. Minot State University has received a comprehensive employment assistance grant. Given the importance of transportation in job access, there may be an opportunity for collaboration.

Bruce Fuchs – Congratulations to Ron and Pam on initiating intercity service coordination. All Section 5307 providers have joined DTA. A uniform quarterly reporting system has been created that mirrors the information needed for the National Transit Database. Carol Wright provided training on the State Management Plan and completion of the new forms for all ND transit managers. All ND transit projects will be required to have 4-year business plans. NDDOT will be talking to SURTC about this training.

Comments on SURTC's Vision, Mission, and Goals

Al Abeson stated that he thinks it would be appropriate to add the term 'technical assistance' to the SURTC mission statement.

Closing

Jill thanked all in attendance for their comments. All members whose schedules allowed them to be available toured the new MAT bus garage in Fargo.