How Florida TMAs Measure Up:Comparisons with National Averages

Presented at the:Florida Commuter Choice Summit

December 11, 2003

Presented by:Sara J. Hendricks, AICP

Senior Research AssociateCenter for Urban Transportation Research

Presentation Background and Purpose

What makes Florida TMAs different? Are differences strengths or

weaknesses? How should TMAs respond?

Florida TMAs Airport West TMI Better Baymeadows,

Inc. Downtown Ft.

Lauderdale TMA Downtown Miami

TMI Miami Beach TMA,

Inc. New North

Transportation Alliance

St. Petersburg Downtown TMO

Sarasota TMI South Florida

Education Center TMA

Tampa Downtown TMO

University/Alafaya Corridor Transportation Association

West Palm Beach TMI

Westshore Alliance TMO

Membership Composition by %

U.S. 1993

U.S. 2003 FL 2003

Business 72 59 49

Government 8 10 11

Developers 10 6 6

Prop. owners - 8 2

Individuals - 0 1

Non-profits - 6 3

Residential - 2 11

Other 10 9 17

Size of MembershipBasis of Member Definition

Number of Members

Businesses/institutions 25

Board participants 20, 23

Stakeholders who share cost of a service

14

Property owners within a special services district

118

Joint membership with parent organization

24,000

Those served by the TMA 40,000

Member Recruitment Methods

U.S. 1993

U.S. 2003

FL 2003

% % #

Contact from executive director

74 69 6

Contact from board director

25 52 6

Peer-to-peer recruitment

66 42 5

Travel Markets ServedU.S. 1993

U.S. 2003 FL 2003

Commuters 45,800 49,100 (ave.) 20,000 (median)

82%

20,000 (median)

5

Students -- 45% 5

Residents -- 40% 5

Visitors -- 29% 3

Other -- 5% 1

Eligibility for TMA Services

7 Provide services to members 5 Provide services to non-members 1 Provides services to the general

public within the service area

Services Most Commonly Provided

To Members Rideshare matching Vanpool services Promotional events Guaranteed ride home Promotional

materials/newsletters

To Non-Members Guaranteed Ride

Home Vanpool Services Promotional Events

Services Provided by SomeTo Members Tax benefit program

assistance Rideshare

incentives Regional/local

advocacy Telecommuting

program assistance Direct shuttle

service operation Bicycle program

To Non-Members Rideshare matching Promotional

materials/newsletter Tax benefit program

assistance ETC training Shuttle/local transit

provision Regional/local

advocacy Vanpool subsidy

program

Services Provided to MembersBy Few or No TMAs

ETC training Subsidized transit

passes Vanpool subsidy

program Site design

assistance

Trip reduction plan preparation

Parking Service provision

Parking pricing and/or management

Carshare program

Services Listed as “Other”

Intersection improvements Traffic calming through landscaping Sidewalk improvements

“Other” Services Listed Nationally

Visitor services Relocation assistance Electric vehicle promotion Construction/traffic advisories Government reporting/compliance Alternative fuel infrastructure

development Walking program

“Other” Services Listed Nationally

Cycling safety workshops Active living program Pedestrian amenity review Livable community camps for high

school students Spanish translated information

Program/Services Evaluation

4 Survey commuter or other target markets to assess mode shift

3 Survey members to assess satisfaction with TMA programs

3 Survey commuters or other target markets to assess satisfaction with services

1 Track calls/emails in response to outreach activities

“Other” Evaluation Activities

Surveys to assess market awareness Ridership surveys to identify customer

characteristics and satisfaction Track numbers of:

brochures/newsletters distributed

employers implementing program

employees participating

Staff Size and Characteristics

Number of full time staff: 1-4 Number of part time staff: 0-1 No volunteers 5 out of 8 TMAs hire consultants or

vendors for the direct provision of services

Services Contracted Out

4 Shuttle/local transit

1 Ridematching

1 Vanpooling

1 Marketing

1 Fleet maintenance

1 Interim management

TMA Executive DirectorProfessional Background Transportation planning Number years with TMA: 6 mo. to 8 yrs Number years in TDM: 1-23 yrs

TMA Executive Director Educational Background Median Salary: $50,000 5/8 EDs have MBAs or masters degrees Most common educational backgrounds:

– Business administration– Public management– Sales– Marketing

Personnel Benefits

Most common benefits– Paid holidays– Medical, dental, vision insurance– Seminars and professional member dues– Free parking

Personnel Benefits

Less common benefits– Retirement plan– Life insurance, family leave– Disability insurance– Tuition assistance– Flexible spending account (Section 125)

Benefits Not Offered to TMA Personnel Daycare Employee assistance program Subsidized transit passes Incentive or cash bonus Credit union membership Transportation allowance

TMA Staff Evaluation

Half conduct staff evaluation Evaluations conducted by TMA staff

and board of directors rather than parent organization

Six TMAs have formal personnel policies

TMA Budgets

Largest line item: shuttles/local transit

50-85% Marketing and promotions

3-75% Office operations

5-50%

Income Sources

7 Federal/State/local grants 4 In-kind donations 3 Member dues 2 Service contracts 1 Special services district 1 Other private sector sources

No Florida TMAs Use These Sources Fees for services Developer funding agreements Community financing districts

Average % of Total Income

67% Federal grants 23% State grants 20% Local grants 48% Service contracts 18% In-kind donations 16% Member dues 25% Business improvement district 3% Other

Accounting Practices

4 Have annual audits of financial records

4 Provide annual financial statement 3 Use cash method of accounting 2 Use accrual method of accounting 1 Uses a combination of accrual and

cash

Organizations Instrumental in Forming TMA 7 Transportation government agency 7 Metropolitan planning organization 6 Employers 3 Community/residential organizations 2 Developers

Issues Prompting TMA Formation

Local congestion and parking constraints

Growth and Construction Air quality Special event traffic Business promotion

Themes of Mission Statements

Reduce SOV travel through TDM programs and marketing outreach

Improve transportation service Improving quality of life for those who live and

work in service area Managing and improving congestion Integrating alternative modes of transit Promoting economic development Beautifying the environment

Themes of Mission Statements

Public private partnership/develop a collaborative process for implementing transportation solutions

Improve conditions for further development

Enhance image of and promote the service area as a place to work/live

Improve working environment for employees

Authority Deciding Final Actions

4 Combination of membership and local government

3 An authority comprised only of membership, i.e., board of directors

Organizational Characteristics

Formation dates: 1992 to today 4 501(c)(3) 1 501(c)(4) 2 Unincorporated

– 501(c)(6) business league– 501(c)(3) downtown development

organization

Organizational Characteristics

7-52 voting members 0-10 nonvoting members Most common nonvoting members:

DOT, MPO and TMA Executive Director

Organizational Characteristics

One TMA had a defined duration of term of office for board members (3 years) with a maximum of 2 terms.

One TMA had a defined duration of term of office for board officers (2 years) with a maximum number of consecutive terms (one term)

Board Member Recruitment

3 Determine all constituent groups 3 Identify critical areas of commitment 3 Target prospects for peer-to-peer

recruitment 2 Identify gaps in expertise 2 Seek nominations from outside

organizations 1 Other (directors, presidents, VPs targeted)

Board Member Training

3 Do not conduct Board training 2 Provide new Board member

orientation and training 2 Provide a Board member manual 1 Other (info. packet to new board

members)

Board Member Responsibilities

6 Strategic planning 5 Member recruitment 5 Work plan development 5 Financial oversight 4 Financial planning

Documents Maintained

8 Mission statement 8 Objectives 8 Annual/biennial work plan 6 Bylaws 3 Policies and Procedures manual 2 Strategic Plan (updated annually)

Insurance Retained

4 Professional liability insurance 4 None 2 Officers and directors insurance 0 Fiduciary liability insurance

Committees

5 Executive Committee 2 Media/Public Relations 2 Project specific 1 Membership/Recruitment 1 ETC Network 1 Long Range Planning 1 Budget/Finance 1 Convention/Annual Meeting

Summary

How We Are Different– Government played greater role in TMA

formation– Less business participation– More emphasis on non-commuters– More emphasis on vanpools/shuttles– Less emphasis on local/regional advocacy

Summary

How We Are Different– ED education and professional background– Less staff evaluation– Depend less on member dues– Depend more on federal grants– Florida TMAs favor 501(c)(3) incorporation

Conclusions

Do differences signal strengths/challenges?– Developable land and fair air quality in

Florida alter perceptions of need for alternative transportation

Suggested response– Explore new funding sources– Renew efforts to attract private sector– Emphasize regional/local advocacy