WELCOME

CalACT is proud to host the 21st National Rural Public & Intercity Bus Transportation Conference in Monterey, California.

This conference will provide attendees an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful coastline of Monterey and visit historic Cannery

Row and the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium in addition to the many educational opportunities provided by

the conference. Take an opportunity to use your free bus pass provided by Monterey-Salinas Transit to visit many local

attractions in Monterey County.

In 1984, the California Association for Coordinated Transportation (CalACT) was established in order to meet the growing

necessity of a voice for rural transportation in California. CalACT’s original inception was brought on by leaders within

rural and small transit agencies and the California Department of Transportation with a focus on cooperative and collaborative

transportation. CalACT believes that well-coordinated and -funded transit services contribute to enhanced mobility and

quality of life for all.

Over the years, CalACT has grown in its size, functions, and programs in response to a changing transportation environment.

CalACT’s membership is comprised of over 350 members including public agencies and non-profits, service vendors,

transit consultants, universities and colleges, local municipalities, and many more. CalACT’s response to an ever-changing

transit field has widened its scope in terms of the programs offered to its members. CalACT is the manager of the California

Rural Transit Assistance Program, executes a Purchasing Cooperative to help members acquire transit vehicles and shelters,

and offers a wide variety of workshops and conferences to expand insight and knowledge of current and ongoing topics

within state and federal public transportation.

CalACT’s focus on rural and small urban transit is undoubtedly unique in the California public transportation field. We

believe that in order for transit services and corresponding levels of livability to increase in our state, we must focus on

equity and enhancement of all services in California – large, medium, or small. Whether the population of a city is 189

with two fixed routes or 1,890,000 with two hundred fixed routes, public transit provides a service that increases livability,

sustainability, and gets people where they need to go.

WELCOME TO ThE 21st NaTiONaL RuRaL PubLiC & iNTERCiTy bus TRaNsPORTaTiON CONfERENCE iN MONTEREy, CaLifORNia!

CALACTCALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FORCOORDINATED TRANSPORTATION

by Razvan Antonescu

moore& associatesLayout & Design by Moore & Associates, Inc.

2

This biennial conference has historically been a premier event for the rural transit industry, and this year’s meeting will not

disappoint. Join colleagues and friends at the welcome reception on Sunday evening, beginning at 5:30. The conference

program gets underway on Monday with a multitude of informative sessions, organized into five “routes,” centered on

the conference theme of “Setting Our Course for the Future.” In addition to presentations by knowledgeable transit

industry researchers and practitioners on a wide range of timely topics, the program includes roundtable discussions, a

Town Hall Meeting, and a mini-conference for state DOT members conducted by FTA staff.

Our keynote speaker on Monday morning is Andrew Evans, contributing editor at National Geographic Traveler and National

Geographic’s “Digital Nomad.” Andrew is a spellbinding speaker with unbelievable adventures to share—you will not

want to miss his session!

The best and brightest of the rural transit industry will be honored at Monday’s Awards Luncheon. Honorees will include

the winners of the conference’s traditional “Roger Tate is Smiling” Award and graduate and undergraduate student

paper competitions as well as the FTA Administrator’s Awards for transit organizations that have successfully provided

Ladders of Opportunity for members of their communities.

Monday and Tuesday are the days to connect with the many transit industry vendors who are exhibiting at the conference.

Stop by the booths at the Vendors’ EXPO and reception on Monday evening and on Tuesday afternoon, and take a look

at the latest transit vehicles on display at the Bus Show Luncheon on Tuesday. Many vendors are generously sponsoring

conference events—please thank them by visiting with them about their products and services.

A number of social and recreational activities are also available so you can take advantage of Monterey’s spectacular scenery

and other attractions. On Sunday, take a bike tour of famous 17 Mile Drive or enjoy a round of golf at Pacific Grove Golf Links.

And be sure not to miss the Evening by the Sea at the fantastic Monterey Bay Aquarium on Tuesday night. Please stop by the

conference registration desk for more information about these events. Be sure and remember to flash your conference badge

at local businesses for discounts as you enjoy Monterey’s local restaurants and shops.

If you have any questions or need assistance of any kind during the conference, please ask the friendly CalACT and

Monterey-Salinas Transit staff at the registration desk, located in the Cypress Foyer.

As co-chairs of the conference planning committee, we would like to thank the other members of the Transportation

Research Board’s Rural Public and Intercity Bus Committee for the time and effort they spent to organize this event, and

to Monterey Salinas-Transit and CalACT, our local hosts, for their hospitality and assistance.

Jacklyn MontgomeryExecutive Director, CalACTPlanning Committee Co-Chair

WELCOME

ON bEhaLf Of ThE PLaNNiNg COMMiTTEE fOR ThE 21st NaTiONaL CONfERENCE ON RuRaL PubLiC aNd iNTERCiTy bus TRaNsPORTaTiON aNd OuR sPONsORiNg ORgaNizaTiONs,

WELCOME TO bEauTifuL, hisTORiC MONTEREy!

Patti MonahanPrincipal, Nelson\NygaardPlanning Committee Co-Chair

WELCOME

Dear Rural Public & Intercity Bus Transportation conference attendees,

Welcome to the Monterey Bay region and the 21st National Rural Public & Intercity Bus Transportation Conference taking

place October 26 – 29 at the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa located in the City of Monterey’s historic Cannery Row. An

extensive program has been planned for you, including informative workshops and networking opportunities. While

visiting please consider taking a tour of MST’s unique “JAZZ” Bus Rapid Transit line which combines the latest in transit

technology with a 6¾-mile linear jazz history museum featuring the sights and sounds of the Monterey Jazz Festival, the

world’s longest continuously running jazz festival. Or, for a more rural experience, consider boarding the MST Grapevine

Express for a trip to the quaint village of Carmel-by-the-Sea or rural Carmel Valley Village featuring dozens of local wineries

that are responsible for Monterey County being named this past year as of one the 10 best wine travel destinations in the world.

MST strives to provide a high-quality transportation network serving the small urban and rural communities throughout

the Central Coast region utilizing innovative partnerships with community stakeholders including hospitality, agriculture,

education, and military installations to develop efficient community transportation and mobility management resources.

In recent years MST has implemented a robust program of mobility management programs including travel training and

alternative transportation options for seniors and members of our disabled community through our activities at the Bus

Stop Shop located in Old Monterey.

Whether you come to Monterey to review best practices, share new ideas, discuss the state of public transportation,

network with old friends, or meet new ones, I’m certain there will be a conference session or activity to meet your needs.

If your interests lie in exploring coastal trails of the Big Sur; visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the wineries of Carmel

Valley, and the shops, boutiques, restaurants on the Monterey Peninsula; or visiting the Steinbeck Museum and history

of the Salinas Valley, there is an MST route that can take you there and I encourage you to use MST to explore all that

Monterey County has to offer.

I hope that you enjoy your time in Monterey County and return home from this conference refreshed and ready with new

ideas to enhance your community transportation efforts.

Carl G. SedorykGeneral Manager/CEOMonterey-Salinas Transit District

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Monterey-Salinas Transit (MTS) provides bus transit services throughout Monterey County and north into downtown Watsonville

and Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz County and Gilroy, Morgan Hill and San Jose in Santa Clara County, as well as south to

Paso Robles in northern San Luis Obispo County. The MST fixed-route bus system consists of 59 routes: 36 operated by

MST personnel, 22 routes operated by MV Transportation, and one subcontracted to and operated by San Luis Obispo

Regional Transit. In fiscal year 2013, vehicles on these routes system-wide traveled approximately 3,926,824 miles and

carried 3,976,279 passengers. RIDES, MST’s paratransit service, transported approximately 105,241 mobility impaired patrons

during fiscal year 2013 on 36 specially equipped minibuses, minivans and sedans.

The diversity that distinguishes the region presents unique challenges for a small agency like MST. By thinking big, however,

MST transports nearly four million passengers in a 280-square-mile service area each year—and all without a dedicated

source of local transit funding. “Monterey-Salinas Transit covers one-fifth of the California coast, providing service in four

counties between Paso Robles and San Jose while also offering special medical routes as far north as San Francisco,” says

MST General Manager and CEO Carl Sedoryk. “Because we have no local sales tax for transportation at this time, we’ve

developed a variety of partnerships with universities, community colleges, military facilities, tourism attractions, and cities.”

Those partnerships support the operation of 140 fleet vehicles that travel nearly four million route miles annually. Military

investment, for instance, helps maintain lines that carry enlisted individuals and civilians between bases, housing, and

downtown districts. Educational institutions collaborate with MST on routes that cut traffic congestion and increase transit

access for students. The Monterey Bay Aquarium and City of Monterey are among supporters of a new electric trolley

that will begin serving visitors and residents next spring. “MST is proud to offer comprehensive services that make public

transportation attractive and affordable to our passengers, regardless of their age or physical condition,” says Sedoryk.

“By using long-distance commuter coaches, standard buses, mini-buses, replica trolley vehicles and accessible taxi cabs,

we’re able to efficiently meet the mobility needs of a diverse region.”

by MST

4

WELCOME

5

TRaNsPORTaTiONThe Monterey Plaza Hotel provides a free shuttle from the Monterey airport to the hotel. Please call the Plaza at 831-646-1700

to request a ride from the airport to the hotel. You can also take the Monterey airport shuttle (831-704-6544), Yellow Cab

(831-646-1234), or the MST bus from the Monterey airport to your final destination. Monterey-Salinas Transit also has an

express bus from San Jose. You will need to take a VTA bus to the Diridon station to catch MST’s San Jose Express bus

to downtown Monterey. You can also reserve a ride on the Monterey Airbus shuttle from the San Jose airport to Monterey

at www.montereyairbus.com or by calling 831-373-7777.

Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) is providing free bus passes for anyone wanting to go sightseeing, shopping, or wine tasting.

You can pick up a bus pass and route information at the MST table located next to the conference registration desk.

PaRkiNgValet parking at the Monterey Plaza is $20.00 a night. There are local parking lots near the hotel at lower rates.

CONfERENCE hOTELThe conference hotel is the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa located at 400 Cannery Road, Monterey, California, and the

telephone number is 831-646-1700.

Pre-Function areaBallroom Foyer

Foyer

MEETING/BANQUET ROOMSCypress BallroomBig SurPoint LobosRobert Louis Stevenson RoomJohn Steinbeck Board RoomCarmelMonterey BayFairway HospitalityOcean Club

RESTAURANT/LOUNGEDuck ClubSchooners Bistro

LOWER TERRACE

MONTEREYBAYUPPER PLAZA

(Street Level)See inset

LOWERTERRACE

MAIN ENTRANCELobby, Guest Services

Desk & Ocean Club (at street level)

RETAIL

SchoonersBistro

FairwayHospitality

JohnSteinbeck

Monterey Bay

BEACH AREA

BigSur

CypressBallroom

Carmel

1

3

4

2

12

2

3

1

1

1

2

DuckClub

UPPER PLAZA(Street Level)

DOLPHINSMEETING/BANQUETROOM

BUSINESS CENTER

RETAIL

WOMEN’SRESTROOM

MEN’SRESTROOM

TheDolphins

Business Center ➞

RobertLouisStevenson

2Point

Lobos

M O N T E R E YP L A Z A

HOTEL & SPA

Penthouse SuitesThe Spa

RETAIL SHOPS

ThaNk yOu TO OuR sPONsORs

The Rural Conference Committee and CalACT express their appreciation to the sponsors who generously support the 21st National Conference on Rural

Public and Intercity Bus Transportation

sPONsORsEXPO RECEPTION

AWARDS LUNCHEON

AWARDS LUNCHEON

BREAkFAST BUFFET

BREAkFAST BUFFET

PORTFOLIOS & CONFERENCE BAGS

CONFERENCE LANYARDS

CONFERENCE PROGRAM & SIGNS

CONFERENCE BREAk

CONFERENCE BREAk

OPENING RECEPTION DRINk SPONSOR

OPENING RECEPTION DRINk SPONSOR

OPENING RECEPTION DRINk SPONSOR

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION

BUS SHOW LUNCHEON

Mobilitat Software

Greyhound

Isaacs & Associates

American Bus Association

National Bus Traffic Assocation

First Transit

RouteMatch Software

Moore & Associates

BraunAbility

Q’Straint/Sure-Lok

RouteMatch Software

A-Z Bus Sales

TransTrack Systems

MV Transportation

Isaacs & Associates and Greyhound Lines, Inc.

American Bus Association

American Public Transit Association

Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials

CalACT

Caltrans

Community Transportation Association of America

suPPORTiNg agENCiEsFederal Transit Administration

kansas University Transportation Center

Monterey-Salinas Transit

National Bus Traffic Association

National Rural Transit Assistance Program

Transportation Research Board

by Joe Ross

6

kEyNOTE sPEakER

Andrew Evans is a contributing editor at National Geographic Traveler and National Geographic’s “Digital Nomad.”

In addition to writing features, essays, and a column for the magazine, he travels the globe, creating interactive travel

experiences for readers using the internet, digital mapping, and social media. In 2009, Evans rode from Washington to

Antarctica—primarily by bus—sharing the uncharted 12,000-mile journey with his readers in real-time online. Since then,

he has continued traveling for National Geographic, creating real-time interactive travel narratives for readers, like his 2-month,

20,000-mile journey around Australia, or his vast exploration of Canadian hinterlands, a sea voyage to some of the South

Atlantic’s remotest islands, a month-long trip through Japan, a journey through Mexico’s ancient Mayan sites, an adventure

through Norway’s highlights, an in-depth exploration of New Orleans after dark, and delving into Africa’s largest cities.

As National Geographic’s digital explorer and itinerant traveler, Evans has tweeted from all 7 continents and in over 40 languages.

He has sent live updates from canoe, kayak, camelback, airplane, helicopter, and sailboat—atop arctic glaciers and from

deep within the tropical jungle, while staring in the face of wild animals and from the summits of rare mountains.

Evans is the author of four books, including bestselling guidebooks to Ukraine and Iceland. He has contributed to

several other books, including 100 Great Cities of the World and 1000 Places to See Before You Die. He is also the host of

National Geographic Channel’s upcoming one-hour documentary, The World in Two Cities.

For many years Andrew worked as a correspondent for Business Traveler magazine and Blackbook. His travel articles

have appeared in the The Times (London), The Guardian, and The Observer, as well as on Gadling.com, AOL Travel, The

Economist online, and National Geographic’s award-winning travel blog Intelligent Travel.

In 2008, the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) awarded Evans the Lowell Thomas Award (Silver) for one of his

books. Evans won the Lowell Thomas again in 2011 for his work in multi-media. In 2010, he won an award from the National

Travel Journalism Association (NATJA) and in 2011 he won two Folio Awards for best online community.

In addition to his travel writing, Evans speaks regularly at travel shows and gives travel lectures at the Smithsonian Institution

where he has covered dozens of destinations from Antarctica to Paris to India. In 2011 he spoke at TED in Budapest on

the subject of “Living and Traveling with Uncertainty.” He also has appeared on the Travel Channel and FOX News and

highlighted travel destinations for BBC Radio, as well as for National Geographic Weekend.

Prior to working for National Geographic, Andrew held myriad positions of employment, ranging from dishwasher to political

analyst at NATO. He is a graduate of Oxford University and speaks Russian and French. You can read his latest work at

digitalnomad.nationalgeographic.com. Andrew lives in Washington, DC, but works mainly in hotels, in airports, and on airplanes.

Andrew Evans, National Geographic

7

kOME AJISE began his career with the California Department of Transportation

(Caltrans) in 1987 in District 6 (Fresno) and has served in various assignments at both

the district and headquarters offices. From February 2001, kome served as the North

Region Environmental Division Chief until April 2004 when he was appointed as the

District 10 Director in Stockton, California. The eight-county District 10 covers the

central Sierras, including four trans-sierra mountain passes, and northern San Joaquin

Valley is a goods movement gateway from the valley into the Bay Area and north.

He is currently Deputy Director for Planning and Modal Programs at Caltrans Headquarters.

kome has a BS degree in Geography and Regional Planning from the University of Benin, Nigeria, and a Master of City

and Regional Planning degree from CSU Fresno.

CHARLES DICkSON is the Associate Director of the Community

Transportation Association of America.

Charles has been active in the transportation field since 1978 and has been with

CTAA since 1987. He currently oversees all training and technical assistance activities

for the association.

Before joining CTAA, he administered grant programs for the Maryland Department of Transportation and directed a

coordinated rural public transportation system in southern Illinois.

With CTAA, Charles initiated numerous technical assistance programs and established the Community Transportation

Association of America’s training programs, which now incorporate seven professional certifications.

Charles also plans and manages all meetings on behalf of the association. This includes the annual Community Transportation

EXPO, a gathering of more than 1,500 community transportation professionals and 100 exhibitors.

fEaTuREd sPEakERs

8

THERESE MCMILLAN is currently the Acting Administrator of the

Federal Transit Administration (FTA). She joined FTA as Deputy Administrator in 2009,

where she led a staff of more than 500 in the Washington D.C. headquarters office and

10 regional offices throughout the United States, and implemented an annual budget

approximating $10 billion. With the passage of a new surface transportation authorization,

MAP-21, she has assumed a key role in guiding FTA’s implementation of transit-related

provisions in the law and overseeing the development of critical guidance.

During her tenure, Ms. McMillan has also played an integral leadership role in advancing several critical FTA priorities to

improve the quality and delivery of transit services to the American public, including leading a major reassessment and

reform of FTA’s Civil Rights responsibilities, including new guidance for transit grantees in Title VI and Environmental Justice;

overseeing the restructuring FTA’s grant oversight and compliance programs;

PETER PANTUSO is president and CEO of the American Bus Association,

North America’s largest motorcoach, tour, and travel association representing

more than 65 percent of all private motorcoaches on the highways as well as travel

businesses, state and local government tourism offices, state associations, and other

entities involved in promoting travel throughout North America. Total membership

in the ABA is 3,800 members. In addition, Peter is also president of the National Bus

Traffic Association (NBTA), processing nearly $200 million in transactions annually,

and the American Bus Association Foundation.

Peter oversees the trade association’s daily operations, including government affairs, policy, communications, meetings

and education programs, and publications, including ABA’s award winning magazine Destinations, membership programs,

budgeting, and personnel. The ABA Foundation began under Peter’s leadership and has grown to over $5 million in

funds and commitments and awarded nearly $500,000 in scholarships and grants. Both the Foundation and NBTA are

headquartered in ABA’s offices.

Peter serves on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Committee of 100 leading association executives and is on the boards

of the American Highway Users Association, the Roadway Safety Foundation, and the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford,

and has previously served on the Policy Committee of the American Society of Association Executives and the boards of

the Museum of Bus Transportation, the U.S. Travel Association, and Servco Services.

A native of Bradford, Pennsylvania, Peter is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and earned his Masters of Association

Management from George Washington University’s School of Business and Government.

fEaTuREd sPEakERs

9

by Rie H

assisting in the development of a new, streamlined process for the New and Small Starts program, and new funding opportunities for

State of Good Repair of transit assets; working closely with FTA’s staff across the country to ensure the timely, accurate allocation of $8.78

billion for 1,072 Recovery Act grants; representing federal transit interests on the Partnership for Sustainable Communities with fellow

DOT colleagues, EPA and HUD; and launching a national conversation and research effort to help transit agencies adapt to changing

weather patterns and natural disasters.

Prior to her appointment, Ms. McMillan was the Deputy Executive Director-Policy at the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in

Oakland, California, where she was responsible for strategic financial planning as well as MTC’s management of federal, state and

regional fund sources for transit, highways, roadways and other modes; state and federal legislative advocacy, and public affairs and

community outreach.

Ms. McMillan received her BS degree in Environmental Policy and Planning Analysis from the University of California-Davis and a joint

MCP/MS in city planning/civil engineering science from UC Berkeley.

suNday, OCTObER 26, 20149:30 a.M. - 11:00 a.M. 21st NaTiONaL CONfERENCE PLaNNiNg COMMiTTEE MEETiNg — Cypress I & II

Presenters: Jacklyn Montgomery and Patti Monahan, Co-Chairs

11:45 a.M. - 6:15 P.M.

11:45 a.M. - 5:30 P.M. VENdOR ChECk-iN aNd sETuP — The Dolphins

Please check in at the Registration Desk, Ballroom Foyer, prior to set-up.

12:15 P.M MV TRaNsPORTaTiON PiCk uP

Pick up at Pacific Hotel & Casa Munras Hotel.

CONfERENCE agENda

10

REgisTRaTiON OPENs — Cypress Ballroom Foyer

Lanyards sponsored by RouteMatch Software and

Portfolios & Bags sponsored by First Transit

RICH WEAVER is Director of Planning, Policy and Sustainability under

the Policy Department of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) in

Washington, DC. He serves as staff advisor to the APTA State Affairs Committee and

the APTA Policy and Planning Committee and its subcommittees. He oversees the work

of the APTA Sustainability Committee and APTA Mobility Management Committee.

As staff advisor to the State Affairs Committee, Rich serves as the liaison to state tran-

sit association members and State DOTs. The committee works in partnerships with AASHTO, CTAA, and FTA on several

activities including the annual State Public Transportation Partnerships Conference.

As staff advisor to the APTA Policy and Planning Committee, Rich is responsible for keeping track of rules, regulations,

and guidance affecting transportation planning and programming as well as issues related to New Starts and Small Starts

project development. He works closely with the FTA’s Office of Planning and Environment as well as the Federal Highway

Administration’s Office of Planning in Washington, DC.

Rich is responsible for the development of the APTA Sustainability and Public Transportation Workshop, as well as technical

educational sessions at the APTA Bus Conference, Rail Conference, and Annual Meeting. In addition, he serves as the

APTA representative on the Rail-Volution national steering committee.

Rich is co-director of the National Center for Mobility Management, a partnership of APTA, CTAA, and Easter Seals. He

also chairs the National Complete Streets Coalition.

Rich has been with APTA for over 20 years. He lives in Arlington, Virginia. He has a background in urban planning and

economics from Villanova University.

fEaTuREd sPEakERs

CONfERENCE agENda

COsT aLLOCaTiON fOR RuRaL TRaNsiT agENCiEs — Point Lobos

Presenter: Rich Garrity, RLS & Associates

This course is designed to teach transit managers and planners a service-based methodology

for transit costs to various services provided by the organization. Designed for individuals with

little or no accounting background, this course will describe transit cost allocation issues, distin-

guish between financial-based and service-based cost allocation issues, build a service based

on a cost allocation model based on actual system financial data, and explain scenarios where

a cost allocation model could be applied.

fTa bus safETy PROgRaM — Big Sur

Presenters: Ream Lazaro, Boyd, Caton & Grant Transportation Group

This workshop will present the safety value of the basic components of a Safety Management

System (SMS) and how SMS can be successfully implemented by all rural bus transit agencies

regardless of size and operating characteristics. In the context of SMS, the workshop will explore

rural transit bus safety issues and concerns that the FTA Bus Safety Oversight Program has identified

through its outreach efforts over the past several years and provide guidance on innovative

actions rural bus transit agencies have taken to address these safety infrastructure challenges.

aCCEss bOaRd guidELiNEs fOR aCCEssibLE busEs aNd VaNs — Robert Louis Stevenson

Presenter: Melissa Anderson, U.S. Access Board

Part I: Review of Guidelines for Accessible Buses and Vans

Part II: Meeting Accessibility Requirements for Transit Shelters and Bus Stops—“Can’t I just

stick a sign in the grass?”

The U.S. Access Board is a federal agency that among other responsibilities, develops guidelines

for accessible vehicles, facilities, technology, and equipment. A long-awaited update to its

original 1991 “ADA Accessibility Guidelines” (ADAAG) for buses and vans is expected to be

available later this year, and once adopted by USDOT will form the requirements for the next

generation of transit vehicles that we operate. In Part I we’ll discuss how the new guidelines

have been developed and the major issues that came to light during the public comment periods.

The guidelines will be reviewed to help operators and passengers understand the vehicle design

characteristics that make travel more accessible for passengers who have a disability. Part II of

the workshop will include a review of the requirements for accessible transit shelters and bus stops

and an interactive discussion of how to address new and existing facilities. And, no—you can’t

just stick a sign in the grass.

11

1:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. PRE-CONfERENCE TRaiNiNg WORkshOPs

Pre-registration is required for these sessions. Take advantage of this opportunity for a more

in-depth training on one of these three topics.

CONfERENCE agENda

12

5:30 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. 21st NaTiONaL CONfERENCE OPENiNg RECEPTiON — Upper Plaza & Dolphins

Beverage Sponsors: A-Z Bus Sales and RouteMatch Software and TransTrack Systems

Join us to kick off the conference and network with new friends and old from around the coun-

try. Light hors d’oeuvres and drinks (hosted & cash bar). Be sure to stop by the student winners’

poster area to visit with our award winners.

MONday, OCTObER 27, 20147:00 a.M. - 8:00 a.M. CONTiNENTaL bREakfasT — Cypress Prefunction

7:30 a.M. - 5:00 P.M. CONfERENCE REgisTRaTiON CONTiNuEs — Cypress Ballroom Foyer

8:00 a.M. - 9:30 a.M. CONfERENCE OPENiNg sEssiON & kEyNOTE addREss — Cypress Ballroom

Moderators: Conference Co-Chairs Jacklyn Montgomery, CalACT and Patricia Monahan,

Nelson\Nygaard

WELCOME fROM MONTEREy-saLiNas TRaNsiT

Presenter: Carl Sedoryk, Monterey-Salinas Transit, Monterey, CA

MONTEREy 17 MiLE dRiVE LOOP bikE TRiP

Check at the Conference Registration Desk for more information. Bicyclists should meet at

12:45 P.M. at the hotel plaza next to Café LaStrada with their bicycles.

1:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.

gOLf OuTiNg — 77 Asilomar Boulevard, Pacific Grove, CA

Golfers should meet in the lobby at 11:30 A.M. if they need a ride to the golf course or at the

Pacific Grove Golf Links muncipal course no later than 11:45 A.M. Lunch is on your own.

4:45 P.M MV TRaNsPORTaTiON PiCk uP

Pick up at Pacific Hotel & Casa Munras Hotel.

7:15 P.M MV TRaNsPORTaTiON PiCk uP

Leave Monterey Plaza Hotel to return to Pacific Hotel and Casa Munras Hotel.

7:15 a.M. MV TRaNsPORTaTiON PiCk uP

Pick up at Pacific Hotel & Casa Munras Hotel.

9:45 a.M. - 10:00 a.M. bREak — Cypress Pre-Function

10:00 a.M. - 11:30 a.M. hiRiNg aNd TRaiNiNg fOR a gREaT sTaff — Big Sur

Moderator: George Sparks, Pomona Valley Transportation Authority

From the interview process through training and certification, the right staff helps your agency

operate efficiently and safely, while projecting a positive image to your customers and community.

Learn more about innovative models for hiring and training.

NOT JusT fOR fiNdiNg a QuaLifiEd CaNdidaTE: ThREE REasONs TO CONduCT

aN iNTERViEW aNd hOW TO CONsTRuCT aN iNTERViEW PLaN

Presenter: Peter Schauer, Peter Schauer Associates

Most people think the only reason to interview a person is to find a qualified applicant. This

presentation explains three reasons to conduct an interview and how to integrate those three

elements into a successful interview. The presentation focuses on developing an interview

plan, question preparation, scoring the interview, and best ways to share the results of the

interview with an applicant.

CONfERENCE agENda

kEyNOTE addREss

Speaker: Andrew Evans, National Geographic Expeditions, Washington, DC

In 2009, Evans rode from Washington to Antarctica—primarily by bus—sharing the uncharted

12,000-mile journey with his readers in real-time online. Since then, he has continued traveling

for National Geographic, creating real-time interactive travel narratives for readers, like his

2-month, 20,000-mile journey around Australia, or his vast exploration of Canadian hinterlands,

a sea voyage to some of the South Atlantic’s remotest islands, a month-long trip through Japan,

and a journey through Mexico’s ancient Mayan sites.

Join us in learning more about Andrew Evans’ adventures on rural public and intercity bus

transportation—not just across the U.S., but across continents.

13

WELCOME fROM CaLTRaNs

Presenter: Kome Ajise, Caltrans, Sacramento, California

a PERsPECTiVE ON TRaNsiT CONgREssMaN saM faRR, CaLifORNia’s 20th disTRiCT, u.s.

hOusE Of REPREsENTaTiVEs

Congressman Sam Farr will provide an update on what is happening with the new transportation

authorization and funding for transit agencies in the United States.

CONfERENCE agENda

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saViNg fuEL, MONEy aNd ThE ENViRONMENT: dRiVER CERTifiCaTiON PROgRaMs

fOCusEd ON REduCiNg ENViRONMENTaL iMPaCT Of TRaNsiT

Presenter: Dave Kestenbaum, Certification for Sustainable Transportation at the University of Vermont

Working to fill a similar space in the transportation sector as LEED certification has done in the

building sector or programs like Energy Star have done in the appliance sector, the Certification

for Sustainable Transportation (CST) is a research-driven independent, third-party certification,

education, and labeling initiative for the owners and operators, manufacturers, and passengers

of transportation vehicles. This presentation will focus on two components of the program—the

“Eco-Driver” and the “Idle Free” driver training and certification programs.

“hiRiNg ThE RighT sTaff”: aN ONLiNE TRaiNiNg REsOuRCE fOR RuRaL TRaNsiT

Presenter: Gary Hegland, River Cities Public Transit

“Hiring the Right Staff” is an interactive and engaging self-paced, online course that covers

the entire hiring process and gives you valuable tools, techniques, and resources to hire effectively.

Learn more about the components of this online training tool developed by the Center for

Transportation e-Learning.

10:00 a.M. - 11:30 a.M. sTaTE REsPONsEs TO ChaNgiNg iNTERCiTy bus sERViCEs — Robert Louis Stevenson

Moderator: Jean Ruestman, Michigan Department of Transportation, Office of Passenger

Transportation

Intercity bus service changes can present challenges for state DOTs. Service modifications to

increase ridership, replacing services that are unexpectedly no longer available, and managing

intercity bus programs for the long term are the topics of this session.

COMPREhENsiVE aPPROaCh TO RuRaL iNTERCiTy bus sERViCE

Co-Presenters: Jean Ruestman, Michigan Department of Transportation, Office of Passenger

Transportation and Chad Reuter, Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

Michigan and Wisconsin have both faced challenges ensuring that rural areas of their states receive

intercity bus service that provides meaningful connectivity to the national transportation network.

Both states have approached the problem with innovative solutions and have recently entered into

a joint funding agreement for a route that benefits residents of both states. This presentation will

provide some of the unique approaches taken to ensure the continuation of intercity bus service.

RECENT EVOLuTiON Of ThE NORTh CaROLiNa iNTERCiTy bus PROgRaM

Presenter: Thomas Cook, Institute for Transportation Research and Education

This presentation will describe the impacts of recent restructuring of intercity bus routes in

North Carolina in 2013. The analysis was based on collection of passenger surveys and key operating

statistics to better understand how service improvements such as timed transfers and schedule

changes to accommodate connections among the routes have improved service.

10:00 a.M. - 11:30 a.M. ahOy ThERE MaTEy: ChaNgEs iN ON-bOaRd COMMuNiCaTiON TEChNOLOgy —

Point Lobos II

Moderator: Aaron Antrim, Trillium Solutions, Inc.

On-board technology usage in rural transit systems has grown and changed over the last two

years. Learn from the experts and practitioners who have mastered the technology and improved

their ability to communicate using real-time data to inform and grow their customer base.

CREaTiNg a RidER-CENTRiC OPERaTiON: hOW TEChNOLOgy CaN hELP

Presenter: Teague Kirkpatrick, RouteMatch Software

Traveler Information Systems (TIS) provide the tools you need to provide valuable transit information

to the public. Learn more about using these tools to provide arrival times, service or route

changes, weather or traffic delays, crisis notification, and more.

ThE VaLuE Of ThiNkiNg big: a CasE sTudy ON hOW ThE CiTy Of PORTERViLLE

buiLT CONsENsus, sECuREd fuNds aNd dEPLOyEd iTs TEChNOLOgiEs ThaT

TRaNsfORMEd ThEiR COMMuNiTy iN ONE yEaR

Presenter: Richard Tree, City of Porterville, Porterville, CA

Many small urban transit systems struggle with a growing ridership, limited funds, and finding ways

to patch different types of technologies together. The City of Porterville thought differently and,

within one year, was able to create a system that yielded measurable benefits to its community

of riders in multiple ways. (Continued on next page)

10:00 a.M. - 11:30 a.M. EThiCs iN ThE WORkPLaCE — Point Lobos I

Moderator: Jacklyn Montgomery, Executive Director, CalACT

Presenter: Jill Hough, North Dakota State University

Numerous scandals, big and small, point to a lack of ethics or a lapse of ethical decisions in

the marketplace. How does one go about making an ethical decision? This workshop will help

equip transit agency staff to address ethical dilemmas by discussing some common predicaments

and “tests” that can help guide them through the decision-making process. This session is a

“must attend” for new and seasoned transit workers.

COORdiNaTiON ChaLLENgEs Of aN iNTERCiTy CONNECTiON CRisis iN MONTaNa

aNd NORTh dakOTa

Presenter: Lisa Ballard, Washington State Department of Transportation, Seattle, WA

With no forewarning, on March 26, 2013, a 1,000-mile gap was suddenly created in the nation’s

intercity bus system on I-94 and I-90 between Fargo, North Dakota and Missoula, Montana when

the National Transportation Safety Board shut down the primary private bus carrier in the two

states. Passengers were stranded hundreds of miles from home. The presentation will share

how multiple stakeholders restored a cross-country route with coordination, innovation, and

improvisation. Learn about some of the most important issues and lessons learned.

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adVaNCiNg MObiLiTy Of TRaVELERs WiTh disabiLiTiEs: a LOOk aT ThE aCCEssibLE

TRaNsPORTaTiON TEChNOLOgiEs REsEaRCh iNiTiaTiVE (aTTRi)

Presenter: Mohammed Yousuf, Office of Operations Research and Development, USDOT FHWA

The Accessible Transportation Technologies Research Initiative was launched by USDOT to

forward the development of technologies to address the mobility challenges of people with disabilities.

Findings from the accessible transportation technology scan conducted by ATTRI will be presented,

with particular emphasis on on-board technologies of use to people with disabilities. Participants

will be invited to provide input on future directions to develop quality door-to-door accessible

transportation services for persons with disabilities, including the aging population.

10:00 a.M. - 11:30 a.M. COORdiNaTiON aNd MObiLiTy MaNagEMENT: PaRTNERshiP OPPORTuNiTiEs,

sTRaTEgiEs, aNd EVaLuaTiNg suCCEssEs — Monterey Bay

Moderator: Will Rodman, Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates

All across the country, from Utah to Vermont, mobility management strategies are being implemented

to extend services to rider markets that may not have been able to access transit in the past. This

panel will profile some of the innovative programs implemented, identify who partnered on these

efforts, and provide a perspective on how to evaluate mobility management successes.

fLExibLE TRaVEL VOuChERs: hOW TO addREss ThE uNiQuE NEEds Of RuRaL sysTEMs

iN CREaTiNg suCCEssfuL VOuChER PROgRaMs

Presenter: Sarah Moser, Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates

Flexible voucher programs put the power of choice in the hands of the user, while also potentially

providing cost savings to transportation agencies who are able to divert ADA Paratransit trips. This

presentation will discuss several successful flexible voucher programs in both rural and urban environments

to explain how programs must be tailored to fit a transportation system’s unique requirements. A

case example of the Bear River Association of Governments (BRAG) in Utah will be provided.

COORdiNaTiON Of TRaNsPORTaTiON sERViCEs TO iMPROVE MObiLiTy iN ThE WiNdhaM

REgiON Of sOuThEasT VERMONT: fROM “LisTENiNg PROJECT” TO aCTiON

Presenter: Matt Mann, Windham Regional Commission, Brattleboro, VT

The Windham Region al Commission is an association of 27 towns in southeastern Vermont.

This presentation will discuss its mobility management project incorporating rural transit/intercity

bus operating partnerships to meet customer needs and markets including resort, commuters,

retirement communities, veterans, regional health facilities, migrant farms workers, and others.

ThE VaLuE Of ThiNkiNg big: a CasE sTudy ON hOW ThE CiTy Of PORTERViLLE

buiLT CONsENsus, sECuREd fuNds aNd dEPLOyEd iTs TEChNOLOgiEs ThaT

TRaNsfORMEd ThEiR COMMuNiTy iN ONE yEaR — Continued

Learn more about the challenges faced by Porterville Transit and how it was able to collaborate

with the City, engage and excite staff, and roll out a complete end-to-end ITS technology system.

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11:45 a.M. - 1:45 P.M. 21st NaTiONaL CONfERENCE ON RuRaL PubLiC aNd iNTERCiTy bus TRaNsPORTaTiON

aWaRds LuNChEON — Upper Plaza

Presenter: Therese McMillan, FTA Acting Administrator

Moderator: Leslie Rogers, FTA Administrator, Region 9

Sponsored by: Greyhound Lines, Inc. & Isaacs & Associates

Awards luncheon includes the FTA Administrator Awards to Outstanding Rural Systems presented

by Therese McMillan, Acting Administrator; the FTA Roger Tate is Smiling Award; and Outstanding

Student Paper Awards (Graduate and Undergraduate).

fTa adMiNisTRaTOR aWaRd WiNNERs

Presenter: Therese McMillan, Federal Transit Administration, Washington, DC

North Central Regional Transit District, Española, NM (Region 6)

Streamline Transportation, Bozeman, MT (Region 8)

Crawford Area Transit Authority, Meadville, PA (Region 3)

JAUNT, Inc. in Charlottesville, VA (Region 3)

Roaring Fork Transportation Authority in Glenwood Springs, CO

RuRaL CONfERENCE sTudENT PaPER aWaRd WiNNERs

Presenter: Del Peterson, NDSU Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, Fargo, ND

Graduate Student Winners

1st Place: Dapeng Zhang, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY

2nd Place: Christopher Bacon, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID

Undergraduate Student Winners

1st Place: Riannon Heighes, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID

2nd Place: Brett Seely, University of Idaho, Moscow ID

Roger Tate is Smiling Award

Jon Burkhardt, Consultant, Potomac, MD

EVaLuaTiNg ThE sTaTE Of MObiLiTy MaNagEMENT aNd huMaN sERViCE TRaNsPORTaTiON

COORdiNaTiON

Presenter: Jeremy Mattson, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND

A study was conducted recently to evaluate successes and challenges of mobility management

and human service coordination across the country. A particular focus was to identify how well

the programs meet the needs of transportation-disadvantaged populations and to improve

efficiency and quality.

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gETTiNg hERE fROM ThERE: RECENT sTudiEs Of sTaTE/MuLTi-sTaTE iNTERCiTy bus

TRaNsPORTaTiON NEEds — Point Lobos I

Moderator: Fred Fravel, KFH Group

Several states—Vermont, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Colorado—have recently completed

analyses of their intercity bus services and needs for their states or for multistate regions. Learn

more about the challenges identified in that work, and hear about some exciting new directions

for state and regional intercity bus service developments.

RE-EsTabLishiNg RuRaL iNTERCiTy bus sERViCE iN VERMONT

Presenter: Dave Pelletier, Vermont Agency of Transportation, Montpelier, VT

Vermont recently re-entered the world of intercity bus service after many years of leaving it completely

to the private sector. A 1998 Vermont Intercity Bus Study outlined 55 points of intercity service in the

small state. By 2012, an update of the Statewide Public Transit Policy Plan revealed that service had

decreased to just six stops. In 2013, a comprehensive statewide intercity bus service planning study resulted

in a prioritized list of services, and subsequent notice of funding availability to support three targeted

intercity routes. Hear how Vermont’s efforts have led to new services, partnerships, and strengthened

relationships with neighboring State DOTs, as well as many lessons learned throughout the process.

2:00 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.

ThE busPLus+ PROgRaM: aN iNNOVaTiVE PubLiC/PRiVaTE PaRTNERshiP iNVOLViNg

MuLTiPLE sTaTE dOTs aNd PRiVaTE OPERaTORs iN NEW ENgLaNd

Presenter: Kyle Emge, MassDOT—Rail & Transit Division, Boston, MA

The MassDOT BusPlus+ program is a new public/private partnership, in which MassDOT provides

capital assets to private for-profit intercity/commuter bus operators in exchange for an increase

in service. The service area covers not only Massachusetts, but all of New England. Due to the

regional nature of this program, there is extensive coordination between private operators and

New England DOTs. Thirty-six buses have been purchased and delivered to seven different

private operators, all of which have added new service without any operating subsidy required

by MassDOT. This presentation will include information on some of our successes thus far, lessons

learned, and future planned program elements such as additional bus purchases, operating

subsidies, and joint smart phone ticketing.

gROWiNg “uP,” NOT “OuT”: MiNNEsOTa’s NExT PhasE fOR iNTERCiTy bus dEVELOPMENT

Presenter: Shaun Morrell, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Office of Transit, Saint Paul, MN

Minnesota has long boasted a unique and dynamic intercity bus system. A community-minded

regional carrier has anchored the state’s rural network through years of industry tumult. Thanks

to this stability, 95% of Minnesotans now live within reach of intercity bus service. With that in

mind, MnDOT’s rural grant program will shift its focus away from growing “out” (i.e., expanding

geographic coverage) (Continued on next page)

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bus safETy aNd EMERgENCy MaNagEMENT iN RuRaL TRaNsiT sysTEMs — Monterey Bay

Moderator: Mokhtee Ahmad, Federal Transit Administration, Region VII

Bus Safety Management Systems can be successfully implemented by all rural bus transit agencies

regardless of size and operating characteristics. This session will discuss the rural transit bus safety

issues and concerns that have been identified through extensive outreach efforts with rural agencies

over the past several years and provide guidance on innovative actions rural bus transit agencies

have taken to address these safety infrastructure challenges, as well as tools available to assist in

putting these systems in place.

fTa bus safETy OVERsighT PROgRaM aNd safETy MaNagEMENT sysTEMs

Presenter: Ream Lazaro, Boyd, Caton & Grant Transportation Group, Scottsdale, AZ

This presentation will provide an overview of the FTA Bus Safety Oversight Program and the

resources available to rural transit agencies.

EMERgENCy MaNagEMENT: aN OPPORTuNiTy fOR COLLabORaTiONs aNd PaRTNERshiPs

fOR RuRaL TRaNsiT

Presenter: Rob Lynch, Small Urban and Rural Transit Center—UGPTI—North Dakota State

University, Fargo, ND

Rural transit agency partnerships with state and county emergency management are essential

to an effective response. This presentation will discuss strategies to get transit integrated into

the emergency planning process through community involvement and collaboration: getting to

know your first responders, developing MOUs, involvement of transit in the Emergency Operations

Center, participating in emergency exercises, and more.

2:00 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.

COLORadO sTaTEWidE iNTERCiTy aNd REgiONaL bus NETWORk sTudy

Presenter: Fred Fravel, KFH Group, Inc., Bethesda, MD

The recently completed update of the Colorado Statewide Intercity and Regional Bus Study

developed a typology of rural long-distance transit services responding to several different

needs and markets including basic essential mobility, commuter services, and intercity services.

This presentation will discuss the service characteristics, performance measures, standards,

and funding identified to fully implement the program.

gROWiNg “uP,” NOT “OuT”: MiNNEsOTa’s NExT PhasE fOR iNTERCiTy bus dEVELOPMENTPresenter: Shaun Morrell, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Office of Transit, Saint Paul, MN — Continued

toward growing “up”, by improving the quality of service through capital investments, marketing,

passenger information, amenities, and local coordination. This session will highlight what MnDOT

has learned through its recently completed intercity bus study: what bus riders think, what the

public thinks, what the data says, and what the grant program can do to move things forward.

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TOP shOPs: EMERgENCy MaNagEMENT iN VEhiCLE MaiNTENaNCE faCiLiTiEs

Presenter: Jim Brock, Dering Consulting Group, Camp Hill, PA

This workshop will present an overview of National RTAP’s newest training program, Top

Shops: Emergency Management in Vehicle Maintenance Facilities. Developed specifically for

the maintenance managers, supervisors, and staff of small transit agencies (and their contractors),

Top Shops is designed to relay information about preparing for, preventing, and responding

to accidents and incidents that may occur in vehicle maintenance facilities, such as personal

injuries, structural incidents, fires, hazardous materials and fuel island incidents, and criminal acts.

hEaLTh iMPaCT assEssMENTs iN RuRaL COMMuNiTiEs: iMPLiCaTiONs fOR RuRaL

TRaNsiT — Point Lobos II

Moderator: Patricia Weaver, Kansas University Transportation Center

Decision makers at all levels are using the fast-growing field of Health Impact Assessments to

take health into account when making decisions in a broad range of sectors, including agriculture,

transportation, education, energy, and budgeting, in all types of locations—rural, suburban, and

urban; local, regional, or statewide. This session will provide an overview of the HIA process, potential

implications for mobility and access in rural communities, and resources available to conduct

HIAs. We then will provide case studies of communities who have used HIA to quantify the impact

of transit service on health indicators in their communities and prioritize service in their communities.

suPPORTiNg hEaLThiER COMMuNiTiEs ThROugh hEaLTh iMPaCT assEssMENTs:

ThE POTENTiaL iMPaCT Of hias ON RuRaL MObiLiTy

Speaker: Bethany Rogerson, Health Impact Project, Washington, DC

Health Impact Assessments (HIA) support healthier communities by helping policy makers see and

address the impacts on human health when considering decisions in other areas, like transportation,

agriculture and energy, in all types of communities—rural, suburban and urban; local, regional or

statewide. his presentation will provide an overview of the Health Impact Assessment process,

potential implications for mobility and access in rural communities, and some of the resources

available to conduct HIAs through the Health Impact Project and others.

hia “ON ThE MOVE” iN fRONTiER OREgON

Speaker: Kim Curley, Commute Options, Bend, OR

There is a movement in Central Oregon to vastly improve the public transportation system to

provide greater mobility in and between our communities. A Health Impact Assessment was

completed in 2012, targeted to planners and policy-makers, which analyzed transit service in

Central Oregon with a growing field of data and literature that establishes a link between adequate

transportation and population health outcomes. This session will explain the process of the

HIA and share successes and challenges in Central Oregon.

2:00 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.

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TRaVEL TRaiNiNg PROgRaMs iN RuRaL COMMuNiTiEs — Big Sur

Moderator: Jon Burkhardt, Consultant, potomac, MD

Travel training programs that are tailored to local communities can encourage additional use

of rural public transit services. What are the critical elements of a rural transit training program—and

how is it different from travel training in urban systems? This session will include a discussion

of the findings of a recently completed TCRP study entitled “Travel Training for Older Adults,”

as well as specific lessons from operations in Lawrence, Kansas, and Maryland’s Eastern Shore

communities. The session concludes with a presentation on some of the many resources available

from Project ACTION’s Travel Training Curriculum.

ThE LaWRENCE ONbOaRd PROJECT: ROadsidE RidEshaRiNg as a RuRaL TRaNsPORTaTiON

OPTiON

Presenter: Jennifer O’Brien, Lawrence OnBoard, Oskaloosa, KS

An innovative new model utilizing empty seats in automobiles on the roadway, the Lawrence

OnBoard Roadside Ridesharing project was developed specifically for small cities, towns, and rural

communities. This approach is a hybrid of high-tech, app-based ridesharing and low-tech hitchhiking.

Roadside Ridesharing incorporates a smartphone app with route matching capability, user profiles,

ride logging, driver incentives, and an opportunity for feedback. Providing travel training to orient

both riders and drivers is a key element to the continued growth of this program.

CREaTiNg, iMPLEMENTiNg, aNd susTaiNiNg TRaVEL TRaiNiNg fOR OLdER aduLTs:

a RuRaL PERsPECTiVE

Presenter: Jon Burkhardt, Consultant, Potomac, MD

This presentation will provide some of the essential elements of creating and maintaining a

travel training program for older adults, based on the findings of a recently completed TCRP

study (B-41). Learn more about defining your target market, identifying incentives and barriers

to participation to encourage use of conventional transit, and sharing information on effective

marketing and outreach for travel training.

2:00 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.

ThE WiChiTa TRaNsiT hEaLTh iMPaCT assEssMENT: ExPaNdiNg sERViCE fROM uRbaN

TO RuRaL COMMuNiTiEs

Speaker: Sheena Smith, Kansas Health Institute, Topeka, KS

The Kansas Health Institute conducted a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) on proposed changes to the

Wichita, Kansas, transit system. This presentation will focus on a portion of the HIA that assessed health

impacts associated with expanding transit service to several surrounding communities in Sedgwick

County ranging in population from 6,800 to 23,000. The findings primarily focused on transit’s ability to

provide access to services, such as healthcare, food, and recreational activities, and the benefits of switching

from driving to taking transit. The audience will benefit from learning why this region was appropriate

for an HIA, how stakeholders and policymakers were engaged, how meaningful and feasible

recommendations were developed, and how these recommendations are being implemented.

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RuRaL TRaVEL TRaiNiNg iN MaRyLaNd’s ChEsaPEakE bay REgiON

Presenter: Mary Handley, Delmarva Community Services/Delmarva Community Transit, Cambridge, MD

Travel training is an art and a science. Best skills and practices paired with the art of understanding

rural riders and their rural environments can ensure mobility and access for people who might otherwise

be isolated. Learn how one system in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay region utilizes its travel training

services for seniors, Spanish-speaking seasonal workers, and individuals with disabilities, most of

whom have never used public transit before.

gTfs: iT’s NOT JusT fOR TRiP PLaNNiNg aNyMORE — Robert Louis Stevenson

Moderator: Rob Tassinari, National RTAP

What happens when GTFS files go beyond the local transit provider to represent a statewide

system? Coordination of services, improved mobility management, informed users, and better

access. This session will look at two statewide programs and current research to help other

states with this effort.

uNdERsTaNdiNg aNd TRaVERsiNg ThE sTaTEWidE TRaNsiT NETWORk: gTfs daTa

iN OREgON

Presenter: Aaron Antrim, Trillium Solutions, Inc., Portland, OR

Customer information applications that allow travelers to roam freely across metropolitan, intercity,

small urban, and rural transit systems with information on the web or on their smartphone is the

target outcome of Oregon’s approach to producing, maintaining, and disseminating GTFS data.

This presentation will discuss new approaches and software for planners to visualize, understand,

and manage transit in the state as one integrated network using GTFS data.

iNTER-REgiONaL aNd iNTER-MOdaL gTfs daTabasE dEVELOPMENT as a PubLiC-PRiVaTE

COOPERaTiVE EffORT

Presenter: Larry Harman, Bridgewater State University/GeoGraphics Laboratory, Bridgewater, MA

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the GeoGraphics Laboratory at

Bridgewater State University (BSU/GL) have created a technology partnership with the state’s

intercity bus, intercity rail, and regional transit agencies to create a statewide intermodal data

hub using Google’s general transit feed specifications (GTFS). (Continued on next page)

2:00 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.

suPPORTiNg MObiLiTy fOR PERsONs WiTh disabiLiTiEs aNd OLdER aduLTs iN RuRaL

COMMuNiTiEs: PROJECT aCTiON’s TRaVEL TRaiNiNg CuRRiCuLuM

Presenter: Donna Smith, Easter Seals Project ACTION

This presentation will detail the curriculum for rural travel training developed by Easter Seals Project

ACTION and share some of the experiences of communities that have implemented successful

travel training models. Models will include those that support successful intercity connections,

human service agency partnerships, and coordinated planning models.

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sTaNdaRdiziNg daTa fOR MObiLiTy MaNagEMENT

Presenter: Suzanne O’Neill, TransitPlus, Inc., Elizabeth, CO

There are exciting advances in the realm of discovery data (what riders use to identify available

mobility resources) and for transactional data (what enables providers to electronically share

data between operators who may have different scheduling systems). This presentation will

share information about current work being done to develop consistent standards to use in

mobility management, the types of standards needed to advance mobility management, and

the recommended approach for continuing development of uniform standards.

NETWORkiNg bREak — The Dolphins

Sponsored by: BraunAbility

Take time to preview the vendor booths while enjoying refreshments.

OuTREaCh iN ThE PLaNNiNg PROCEss: iNNOVaTiVE aPPROaChEs TO sTakEhOLdER

iNVOLVEMENT — Point Lobos II

Moderator: Jila Priebe, Caltrans Division of Mass Transportation

This session will focus on innovative approaches to stakeholder involvement with rural public

transit, human service agencies, and tribal governments leading the way to inclusive and representative

planning processes.

iNCLusiVE TRaNsiT PLaNNiNg iN a COMMuNiTy WiTh LiMiTEd REsOuRCEs: iNCREasiNg

ENgagEMENT aNd PaRTiCiPaTiON iN hELENa, MONTaNa

Co-Presenters: Lisa Ballard, Washington State Department of Transportation and David Kack,

Western Transportation Institute

Of 17 communities nationwide awarded Transportation Planning for All Grants in May 2013, Helena,

Montana, was the only recipient completely outside a metropolitan area. This presentation will

focus on the outreach strategies and organizational techniques that succeeded for inclusive

planning in this small community with limited resources and staffing, moving it closer to a mobility

management program, an advocacy coalition, marketing, and increased resources. Lisa Ballard

will be joined by David Kack to discuss both Phase I and Phase II of the project.

3:30 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.

4:00 P.M. - 5:30 P.M.

iNTER-REgiONaL aNd iNTER-MOdaL gTfs daTabasE dEVELOPMENT as a PubLiC-PRiVaTE

COOPERaTiVE EffORT — Continued

Presenter: Larry Harman, Bridgewater State University/GeoGraphics Laboratory, Bridgewater, MA

Regional transit agencies and private intercity bus companies that connect Massachusetts regions

have entered into a contractual agreement with MassDOT to provide scheduling information to

the BSU/GL to develop GTFS data files on a web databases on the University servers and/or

the state DOT servers. This presentation will describe this intergovernmental and public-pri-

vate cooperation and offer perspectives on replication in other states.

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by Gail Frederick

ONE PLus ONE is ThREE – COLLabORaTiVE TRaNsiT PLaNNiNg WiTh TRibaL NaTiONs

Presenter: Jane Clough, Ph.D., San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), San Diego, CA

The San Diego Region is home to 18 federally recognized tribal nations with jurisdiction over 19

reservations—all located in the rural eastern portion of the county. Over the past ten years, SANDAG has

developed a government-to-government framework for collaborative planning with tribal nations.

Learn more about how this best practice of partnering with a tribal transportation collaborative

has maximized the FTA Tribal Transit grant program to serve the rural and tribal populations.

MObiLiTy MaNagEMENT ThROugh REgiONaL bus OPERaTiONs — Cypress I & II

Moderator: Stephanie Gonterman, Isaacs & Associates

Connecting riders to available services—public, private non-profit or private-for-profit—to make

trips throughout a region is the challenge throughout rural America. Mobility management strategies

may be defined in many ways, but is based is a person-centered approach. These three presenta-

tions will provide different perspectives on getting passengers to the services they need.

hEaRiNg aLL VOiCEs: ThE iMPORTaNCE Of yOuR ROLE iN ThE REgiONaL

TRaNsPORTaTiON PLaNNiNg PROCEss

Presenter: Carol Wright, Easter Seals Project ACTION, Washington, DC

Rural and human service transportation providers are in a unique position to take a lead role in

building an inclusive and effective group of people to provide needed input into the development

of a human service transportation coordination plan that will truly address the needs of the community.

Some seats at the table are easy to fill by simply inviting those who hold professional roles that

impact transportation planning. However, seats intended to represent riders such as people with

disabilities and older adults can be more of a challenge to fill. This presentation will focus on

outreach strategies designed to bring the voice of people with disabilities and older adults into the

planning process based on promising practices around the country.

4:00 P.M. - 5:30 P.M.

PERsON-CENTEREd MObiLiTy sERViCE iN a RuRaL agRiCuLTuRaL ENViRONMENT:

ThE ROLE Of MObiLiTy MaNagERs iN day-TO-day OPERaTiONs

Presenter: Mary Handley, Delmarva Community Services, Inc., Cambridge, MD

Delmarva Community Services in rural Maryland is moving from a basic rider/fare relationship

to a broad menu of services that is more consumer-based directed at helping to access jobs,

medical services, social services, veterans benefits, and other essential mobility. You’ll learn

how they’re doing it with a focus on the relationship between mobility mangers and dispatchers,

cross training of transit staff, assessing rural riders, and building partnerships with rural community

agencies for advocacy and funding.

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CONNECTiNg RuRaL COMMuNiTiEs TO ThE NaTiONaL iNTERCiTy bus NETWORk:

LEVERagiNg PRiVaTE CaPaCiTy, EMbRaCiNg NEW TEChNOLOgiEs, ENhaNCiNg

PubLiC REsOuRCEs

Presenter: Brandon Buchanan, American Bus Association

This presentation will describe some of the efforts of the National Bus Traffic Association to

connect both public and private carriers to meet increased travel needs in rural regions of the

country. The presenter will focus on some of the opportunities and challenges associated with

connecting this vast network, along with some of the new technologies being used to more

easily engage transportation access points for rural travelers.

ThE ada aNd RuRaL TRaNsiT: REguLaTiON ChaNgEs, dEbaTEs, aNd POLiCy bEsT

PRaCTiCEs — Monterey Bay

Moderator: Patrisha Piras, Pat Piras Consulting

This session will review some of the hot topics around ADA regulation, policy, and best practices for

rural public transportation providers. Presenters will address recent DOT updates to ADA regulations,

lessons learned from the field, and best practices in implementing policy. Discussion will include

definition of a wheelchair, definition of a service animal, “direct threat,” and reasonable modification.

ThE aMERiCaNs WiTh disabiLiTiEs aCT: a RuRaL TRaNsPORTaTiON REfREshER aNd

uPdaTE

Presenter: Donna Smith, Easter Seals Project ACTION, Washington, DC

From lessons learned from the field regarding the change in the definition of a wheelchair, to

the absence of change in the definition of a service animal and the addition of “direct threat,” to

FTA regulations, this presentation will review the kinds of questions received on the Easter Seals

Project ACTION hotline, focusing on issues relevant to rural systems.

4:00 P.M. - 5:30 P.M.

CREaTiNg a PubLiC-PRiVaTE PaRTNERshiP fOR REgiONaL TRaNsiT iNfORMaTiON

CENTER: bENEfiTs aNd LEssONs LEaRNEd iN PLaCER COuNTy

Presenter: Michael Wixon, City of Roseville, Roseville, CA

Recent coordination efforts in Placer County, California, led to the development of the South

Placer Transit Information Center. The centralized transit information service incorporated

models of public/private partnerships. Information is included on services provided by several

providers throughout the region that provide access through regular fixed-route, demand-response,

and commuter bus services with joint ticketing, vanpools and others. Learn more about their

user-friendly web portal along with a a Transit Ambassador Program to help new passengers

gain access to transit services.

25

CONfERENCE agENda

MObiLiTy dEViCEs ON PaRaTRaNsiT VEhiCLEs aNd busEs: RECOMMENdaTiONs

ON fuTuRE REQuiREMENTs

Presenter: Rick Ramacier, Central Contra Costa Transit Authority, Concord, CA

Safe transport and accommodation of large-wheeled or oversized mobility devices on paratransit

vehicles and buses has been exacerbated by recent changes in federal regulations and by changes

in population demographics. Transit agencies are faced with providing transport for devices

that are too large to safely access the vehicle or cannot be secured in a safe manner, resulting

in a higher level of risk for operators and passengers. This session will present the findings

of a recently completed TCRP project (C-20) and recommendations and future requirements for

accommodating oversize mobility devices.

suCCEssfuL PaRTNERshiPs iN RuRaL aNd iNTERCiTy bus TRaNsPORTaTiON — Point

Lobos I

Moderator: Stephen Abernathy, Greyhound Lines, Inc.

Creating successful partnerships in rural and intercity bus transportation can have immediate and

lasting effects on the communities they serve. This session will describe unique and successful

partnerships in Washington State and with Monterey-Salinas Transit, the conference’s local host.

4:00 P.M. - 5:30 P.M.

RuRaL TRaNsiT PaRTNERshiPs: CiTiEs, COLLEgEs aNd MiLiTaRy iNsTaLLaTiONs

Co-Presenters: Carl Sedoryk, Monterey-Salinas Transit District and Colonel Paul W. Fellinger, Jr., U.S. Army

Since distances cannot be shortened, ridership must be increased to make routes viable. Carl Sedoryk

of MST will be joined by Colonel Paul W. Fellinger, Jr., Garrison Commander for the Presidio of Monterey,

to describe how Monterey-Salinas Transit has successfully partnered with one community college and

one university, four cities, a local nonprofit, AMTRAK, and three military installations to stabilize

ridership during an economic downturn resulting in ridership drops in other areas.

RuRaL aMERiCa NEEds VOLuNTEER TRaNsPORTaTiON OPTiONs: PaRTNERs fOR

MEETiNg haRd-TO-MEET TRaVEL NEEds

Driving an automobile is the preferred method of travel in America, and especially in Rural America. When

driving is not the preferred or possible method of transportation (for any reason), public and intercity bus

transportation options can be critical to getting people where they need to go. This session will address

the elements of volunteer transportation, the reasons why volunteer transportation can and should be

part of the family of rural transportation services, and how rural and intercity bus services can link with or

incorporate volunteer transportation services into their system.

LaTEsT uPdaTEs ON ada aCCEssibiLiTy guidELiNEs

Presenter: Melissa Anderson, P.E., U.S. Access Board, Washington, DC

The presentation will provide a brief overview of the latest updates on the ADA Accessibility

Guidelines, the work on the new guidelines, and major issues revealed during the public comment

periods. Hear more about vehicle design characteristics that can make travel more accessible.

26

fEEdiNg ThE MaChiNE: daTa gaThERiNg aNd REPORTiNg assisTaNCE — Robert

Louis Stevenson

Data is the common language between providers, modes, funders and customers. Looking for

new partners to gather and manage data for services and customers helps us calibrate and focus

our transportation picture to target our funding and develop new opportunities.

usiNg TOuCh sCREEN TabLETs iN RuRaL TRaNsiT

Presenter: Deborah Grogean, Shelby County Public Transit, Sidney, OH

Learn about the experiences in transitioning from using paper in the office and in the vehicles to

using computer-aided dispatch and low-cost tablets in vehicles.

4:00 P.M. - 5:30 P.M.

REaL-TiME iNfORMaTiON PROJECTiNg TOWaRds ThE fuTuRE

Presenter: Christopher Bacon, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID

A case study of Pullman Transit in Washington State examined the use and impact of a recently incorporated

real-time information system. This presentation is being made by the second-place winner of our Graduate

Student Paper Competition.

ThE LifE CyCLE Of a daTa ELEMENT

Presenter: Jean Palmateer and Robin Phillips, Oregon Department of Transportation, Salem, OR

We are all asked to report, provide numbers, and tell a story. How can we quantify what we do

and translate our activities into a spreadsheet, a story, or a tool for understanding our communities

and our customers. Where does data come from? What can we do with it to show off our programs,

diagnose opportunities, and help road people see the economic development in a bus or a

bike path? This workshop will take your information, census information, and other data sources to

speak the language of your audiences and use the numbers in multiple ways until they dwindle

into a trend.

CONfERENCE agENda

WEaViNg iT TOgEThER: a TaPEsTRy Of iNNOVaTiVE fuNdiNg sOuRCEs fOR RuRaL

& iNTERCiTy TRaNsiT

Presenter: Jana Lynott, AARP Public Policy Institute, Washington, DC

This presentation will highlight how public, human service, and private sector transit providers are

weaving together and leveraging innovative funding sources to provide service to the general

public, older adults, and persons with disabilities. The presentation will showcase several rural

transit providers’ success in using public and private support to meet community mobility needs.

Washington State’s successful intercity bus program will be featured in a short video by the

AARP Public Policy Institute.

27

EVENiNg ON yOuR OWN7:30 P.M. - 10:00 P.M.

TuEsday, OCTObER 28, 20146:30 a.M. - 8:00 a.M. bREakfasT

Sponsored by: American Bus Association & National Bus Traffic Association

Grab breakfast and select a roundtable session to sit in on.

7:00 a.M. - 5:00 P.M. CONfERENCE REgisTRaTiON CONTiNuEs — Cypress Ballroom Foyer

7:00 a.M. - 8:00 a.M. ROuNdTabLE disCussiON: dEViaTEd ROuTE aNd RuRaL TRaNsiT — Monterey Bay

Moderator: Rick Ramacier, Central Contra Costa Transit Authority

Join this informal roundtable to discuss the rules on how to operate deviated or flex routes in rural transit.

7:00 a.M. - 8:00 a.M. ROuNdTabLE disCussiON: ChaNgEs TO sECTiON 5311/5311(f) WiTh MaP-21 — Point Lobos II

Moderator: Dan Mundy, CalACT

Presenter: Jamie Pfister, Federal Transit Administration and Elan Flippin, Federal Transit Administration

Join this informal roundtable discussion of the changes to the Section 5311/5311(f) since MAP-21.

7:00 a.M. - 8:00 a.M. ROuNdTabLE disCussiON: TRaNsiT assET MaNagEMENT iN RuRaL TRaNsiT — Big Sur

Moderator: Kevin Kane, Victor Valley Transit Authority

Presenter: John Giorgis, Federal Transit Administration

Join the discussion with FTA staff on the latest on provisions for Transit Asset Management under

MAP-21 and implications for rural transit agencies.

5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. VENdORs’ ExPO RECEPTiON — The Dolphins

Sponsored by: Greyhound Lines, Inc. & Isaacs & Associates

Enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks (hosted and cash bar) while visting the exhibitors to learn

more about their products.

CONfERENCE agENda

6:00 P.M. MV TRaNsPORTaTiON PiCk uP

Leave Monterey Plaza Hotel to return to Pacific Hotel and Casa Munras Hotel — Optional

7:30 P.M. MV TRaNsPORTaTiON PiCk uP

Leave Monterey Plaza Hotel to return to Pacific Hotel and Casa Munras Hotel.

6:30 a.M. MV TRaNsPORTaTiON PiCk uP

Pick up at Pacific Hotel & Casa Munras Hotel.

28

CONfERENCE agENda

ROuNdTabLE disCussiON: ChaNgEs TO sECTiON 5310 WiTh MaP-21 — Robert Louis Stevenson

Moderator: Brian Travis, Caltrans Division of Mass Transportation

Presenter: Mary Leary, Federal Transit Administration

Join this informal discussion to learn more about the changes to Section 5310 since the passage

of MAP-21.

7:00 a.M. - 8:00 a.M.

7:00 a.M. - 8:00 a.M. ROuNdTabLE disCussiON: bROkERiNg NEMT sERViCEs: WhaT’s ThE iMPaCT ON

COORdiNaTiON?— Point Lobos I

Moderator: Suzie Edrington, Texas A&M Transportation Institute

Join this informal discussion to share your recent experiences with NEMT brokerages in your

state and the impact on rural transit coordination and learn more about what is happening in

other states.

29

10:00 a.M. - 11:30 a.M. RuRaL TRaNsiT PLaNNiNg fROM COasT (sWEdEN) TO COasT (fLORida) TO COasT

(OREgON) — Big Sur

Moderator: Brian Travis, Caltrans Division of Mass Transportation

What we can learn from Sweden and public/private partnerships and why we need to pay

more attention to rural transit’s “front door.”

8:00 a.M. - 9:30 a.M. NaTiONaL PERsPECTiVEs ON RuRaL PubLiC aNd iNTERCiTy bus TRaNsPORTaTiON:

WORds fROM ThE iNdusTRy — Cypress Ballroom

Moderator: Jon Burkhardt, Consultant

A lively dialogue including FTA Administrator Therese McMillan with leaders of our national associations:

Charles Dickson, Associate Director of the Community Transportation Association; Rich Weaver, Director

of Planning, Policy and Sustainability of the American Public Transportation Association; and Peter Pantuso,

President and CEO of the American Bus Association.

9:30 a.M. - 10:00 a.M. bREak WiTh VENdORs — The Dolphins

COMPLEMENTaRy fLExibLE PubLiC TRaNsPORT iN RuRaL REgiONs aNd sMaLL

TOWNs/CiTiEs iN sCaNdiNaVia

Presenter: Yngve Westerlund, Mobistik Utveckling, Kallekarr, Sweden

In the last decade there have been substantial efforts to rationalize public transport in Scandinavia.

To provide minimum service there are two major models for supply of flexible (on-demand) services,

often performed by local taxi companies that have contracts with the Regional Transport Authority:

the Swedish “complementary transport” model and the Danish “Flextur” model. This presentation

will provide examples of opportunities for converting line-haul transit to these more flexible

services and the potential for application in the U.S.

ThE NW OREgON CONNECTOR aLLiaNCE

Presenter: Doug Pilant, Tillamook County Transportation District, Tillamook, OR

Initially funded through a $3.5 million US Department of Energy “Energy Efficiency and Conservation”

grant in 2010, the NW Oregon Connector Alliance coordinates the operations of five rural

transportation districts into one seamless, integrated system. This presentation will describe the

benefits of the program and its potential for replicating the model in other parts of the country.

10.00 a.M. - 11:30 a.M. ThROugh ThE fRONT dOOR: bus sTOPs ON OuR RuRaL aNd iNTERCiTy ROuTEs —

Point Lobos I

Moderator: Michael Timlin, Colorado Department of Transportation

Locating stops for rural public, intercity feeder bus operators, and intercity bus services can pose unique challenges, from safety and security perspectives, to walking/pick up and drop-off considerations, to local zoning and building codes. This session promises to offer a valuable dialogue on these ongoing operational issues.

CONfERENCE agENda

buiLdiNg COdE ChaLLENgEs aNd EffECTs ON bus bOaRdiNg aREas aLONg sTaTE

highWays

Presenter: Polly Chapman, County of Trinity, Weaverville, CA

Limited or non-existent shoulders along state highways in rural areas of California is one of the

barriers to individuals with disabilities using public transit services. Eliminating barriers by

providing ADA access via shoulder of road to boarding and alighting areas is ideal to improve

quality of life. However, this type of access often is not possible along many intercity transit routes

due to the geometry and nature of rural state highways. This presentation will present California’s

recent change in highway design guide to better accommodate persons with disabilities.

bus sTOPs: ThE fRONT dOOR Of RuRaL TRaNsiT

Co-Presenters: Bennett Powell, KFH Group Inc., Austin, TX and Jason Quan, KFH Group Inc.,

Bethesda, MD

Bus stops are an essential aspect of any fixed-route system because they are the front door of a transit system. A

rider’s transit trip doesn’t begin and end with the bus. Fixed-route systems in a rural setting have a greater

challenge than their urban counterparts in establishing accessible and safe bus stops. This presentation will

describe an approach to surveying your bus stops to identify deficiencies in accessibility, safety, comfort,

and convenience and contribute needed information to overall asset management and service planning.

a sChEduLE OPTiMizaTiON TO iMPROVE TRaNsfER EffiCiENCy bETWEEN iNTERCiTy

busEs aNd LOCaL busEs

Presenter: Dapeng Zhang, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY

Transfer efficiency of a bus system is essential for passengers, carriers, and regional developers.

(Continued on next page)

30

CONfERENCE agENda

10:00 a.M. - 11:30 a.M. PROVidiNg aCCEss TO hEaLTh CaRE iN RuRaL TRaNsiT — Cypress I & II

Moderator: Michael Timlin, Colorado Department of Transportation

Real change in improving access to health care in this changing landscape requires a comprehensive

approach to addressing the challenge. Understanding the policies driving health care delivery, some

of the new technologies that offer promising alternatives to traditional health care delivery, and the

partnerships that bring communities together are all important to lead us to new solutions to access.

Attend this session to learn more about what’s on the horizon.

ThE iMPaCT Of ThE affORdabLE CaRE aCT ON RuRaL TRaNsPORTaTiON: OPPORTuNiTiEs

aNd ChaLLENgEs

Presenter: Ryan Barker, Missouri Foundation for Health, St. Louis, MO

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is changing the landscape of the US health care system. The

law offers both challenges and opportunities across a variety of sectors, including those who

provide access to transportation in rural parts of the country or between cities. This presentation

will explore some of the opportunities and challenges and provide ideas for how to thrive in

the changing health care landscape.

MakiNg ThE CONNECTiON: aCCEssibLE TRaNsPORTaTiON, iMPROVEd COMMuNiCaTiON,

& hEaLThy agiNg

Presenter: Carol Wright, Easter Seals, Inc.

As we consider the intersection of mobility and health, this presentation discusses the importance of

raising the awareness of transportation alternatives for older adults, independence in making appropriate

choices in transportation modes, and accessible pathways.

a sChEduLE OPTiMizaTiON TO iMPROVE TRaNsfER EffiCiENCy bETWEEN iNTERCiTy

busEs aNd LOCaL busEs — Continued

Presenter: Dapeng Zhang, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY

Passengers usually do not like transfers, or prefer a fewer number of transfers and short transfer waiting

time when they have to transfer. This study looked at modeling reduced transfer times between intercity

buses and local buses to reduce passengers’ transfer time and improve the overall transit service.

This presentation will be made by the first-place winner of the Graduate Student Paper Competition.

ThE “WELLCaR”—a MObiLE hEaLTh CaRE ENViRONMENT dELiVERiNg dELiVERy

sERViCE TO RuRaL PaTiENTs

Presenter: Gregory Thomas, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

Demand for expanded access to care, cost-effective delivery, accountability, and improved

outcomes challenge conventional approaches to health care delivery, particularly in rural areas

and with underserved populations. (Continued on next page)

31

10.00 a.M. - 11:30 a.M. PROVidiNg MObiLiTy TO OuR VETERaNs — Monterey Bay

Moderator: Rich Garrity, RLS & Associates

A focus on rural veterans’ mobility needs is important, given that the recent veterans, those who

served in Iraq and Afghanistan, disproportionately live in rural areas. Other older veterans may have

retired to rural settings or have chosen to live outside urbanized areas in earlier periods. Rural

communities all over the country are working to respond to the mobility needs of veterans, service

members, and their families. The significant growth in numbers and associated travel needs

requires innovative approaches and tools to respond to these needs. Learn more about a recently

completed national study on veterans and military families, as well as two case examples from the

Northern Plains and from Southern California.

ThE “WELLCaR”—a MObiLE hEaLTh CaRE ENViRONMENT dELiVERiNg dELiVERy

sERViCE TO RuRaL PaTiENTs

Presenter: Gregory Thomas, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

One potential approach to increase access to health care services for those who are underserved

is to develop a mobile health care system centered on a health care practitioner equipped with

innovative mobile medical and communications technology devices and applications. Learn more

about the “WellCar,” a mobile health care work environment and mobile telemedicine hub under

development at the University of Kansas, collaborating with Ford, Sprint, Intel, and others.

CONfERENCE agENda

iMPROViNg VETERaN MObiLiTy iN ThE NORThERN PLaiNs: CONNECTiNg VETERaNs iN

MiNNEsOTa, MONTaNa, aNd NORTh dakOTa TO Va hEaLTh CaRE CENTERs

Presenter: Del Peterson, Small Urban & Rural Transit Center at the Upper Great Plains Transportation

Institute, NDSU, Fargo, ND

This presentation will provide the findings of a study that surveyed veterans’ needs in Minnesota,

Montana, and North Dakota. Based on survey results, developed simulated coordination efforts

between VA medical health care centers and rural public agency services to quantify trips, costs, and

fare recovery to determine feasibility.

COMMuNiTy TOOLs TO iMPROVE TRaNsPORTaTiON OPTiONs fOR VETERaNs, MiLiTaRy

sERViCE MEMbERs, aNd ThEiR faMiLiEs

Co-Presenters: Elizabeth Ellis, KFH Group, Inc., Bethesda, MD and Heather Menninger, AMMA

Transit Planning,Riverside, CA

A focus on rural veterans’ mobility needs is important, given that the recent veterans, those who served in

Iraq and Afghanistan, disproportionately live in rural areas. VA’s Office of Rural Health reports that veterans

from geographically rural areas comprise 31 percent of the VA health service-enrolled Operation Enduring

Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans. This toolkit, developed under TCRP Project

B-42, provides guidance to assist communities in assessing needs and improving transportation options

to meet those needs.

32

CONfERENCE agENda

10:00 a.M. - 11:30 a.M.

VETERaNs’ RuRaL-TO-uRbaN MObiLiTy iN ThE sO-CaL iNLaNd REgiON

Moderator: Osvaldo Maysonet, 2-1-1 VetLink San Bernardino and Miguel Duran, 2-1-1 VetLink

Riverside, Rancho Cucamonga, CA

VetLink is a VTCLI project located in the Southern California counties of San Bernardino and Riverside.

This presentation will present information about the veteran mobility needs in this rural-to-urban service

area and how we are working to connect veterans with services through reliable, affordable transportation.

COMMuNiCaTiNg WiTh CusTOMERs aNd COMMuNiTiEs: ViRTuaL bffs — Point Lobos II

Moderator: Del Peterson, Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, NDSU. Fargo, ND

Learn how technology is used to improve access to transportation services information resulting in an

increase of transportation options for the end-user and greater visibility between regional networks

people travel in.

usiNg TEChNOLOgy TO ENhaNCE ThE COORdiNaTiON Of sERViCEs fOR ThE

TRaNsPORTaTiON-disadVaNTagEd iN MuLTi-PROVidER COMMuNiTiEs: PLaNNiNg a

TRaVEL MaNagEMENT COORdiNaTiON CENTER (TMCC)

Presenter: Brendon Hemily, Ph.D., ITS America, Washington, DC

Building on the experience gained from the US DOT Mobility Services for All Americans (MSAA)

Initiative, US DOT sponsored the development of a Guidebook to provide guidance on how to plan

and design a Travel Management Coordination Center (TMCC). It is aimed in particular at those

agencies that have little experience with advanced technology. This presentation will provide an

overview of the steps to planning and designing a TMCC and how it might apply to moving

towards a regional coordinated system.

dEMaNd-REsPONsE TRaNsiT, daTa sTaNdaRds, aNd ThE PROMisE Of REgiONaL

COORdiNaTiON

Presenter: Kevin Chambers, Ride Connection, Portland, OR

Demand-response transit has lagged far behind fixed-route transit when it comes to technology

tools for describing and publishing its services. Data portability between dispatch systems has

been almost completely absent, making regional coordination very difficult. This presentation will

cover Ride Connection’s clearinghouse project (an open-source web-based platform that will

allow multiple scheduling and dispatch systems in the greater Portland metro area to securely

exchange service data for bidirectional trip brokering in near real-time), along with other projects

dedicated to creating open source information and referral applications for a full range of

human services transportation.

33

fiNd My idahO RidE—a TRaNsPORTaTiON diRECTORy fOR yOuR TRaNsPORTaTiON

sOLuTiONs

Presenter: Heather Wheeler, Community Transportation Association of Idaho (CTAI), Boise, ID

Idaho has developed an online statewide search database designed to assist customers in

finding the transportation options available to meet their transportation needs. Learn more

about how it was implemented and how your state might launch a similar system to serve

customers with and without Internet service.

11:30 a.M. - 1:00 P.M. bus shOW LuNChEON — Upper Plaza—Cannery Row

Sponsored by: Greyhound Lines, Inc. & Isaacs & Associates

Spend your time viewing buses while enjoying lunch. Drawing for prizes for participants visiting

all the vendors.

1:00 P.M. - 2:30 P.M. ThE syNERgy bETWEEN MaRkET REsEaRCh aNd RuRaL TRaNsPORTaTiON PLaNNiNg

— Monterey Bay

Moderator: Joe Meer, Morongo Basin Transit Authority

Why market research is the first step to successful service planning. You’ll learn from case

studies from California, Montana, South Dakota, and Maine, and leave with tools to begin

collecting data for market research in your own system.

CONfERENCE agENda

MaRkET REsEaRCh, sERViCE PLaNNiNg, aNd MaRkETiNg: a TRiad fOR buiLdiNg

TRaNsiT RidERshiP

Presenter: Selena Barlow, Transit Marketing LLC, Tucson, AZ

This presentation will explore the relative roles of market research, service planning, and

marketing in expanding a transit agency’s ridership base through case studies from recent

projects in California’s rural and small urban communities. These real-world examples of using

market research leads to service plans which produce maximum ridership results.

aTTiTudEs aNd OPiNiONs abOuT RuRaL TRaNsiT: a TWENTy-yEaR COMPaRisON

Presenter: Peter Schauer, Peter Schauer Associates, Boonville, MO

This presentation compares and contrasts the results of statewide telephone surveys of two

predominantly rural states, conducted 20 years apart. What has changed? What has stayed

the same? The surveys focused on residents’ attitudes and opinions of rural and intercity

transit: the first conducted for the State of South Dakota in 1991 and the second for the State

of Maine in 2013. After discussing the results of both surveys, a model survey instrument is

presented that others can adapt to their local conditions and needs.

34

CONfERENCE agENda

REasONs fOR RidiNg PubLiC TRaNsPORTaTiON iN RuRaL aNd fRONTiER MONTaNa

Presenter: Sandy Smith, City of Rapid City

Montana public transit riders were surveyed to identify how well transit is meeting their mobility needs,

and interviews were conducted with transit managers around the state. This presentation will describe

the changes in the transit services recommended by passengers and how well their perceptions match

the perceptions of transit managers.

hOW TO fiNd aLMOsT aNyThiNg: CONNECTiNg RuRaL aNd TRibaL TRaNsiT

sTakEhOLdERs TO iNfORMaTiON

Presenter: Jess Wallis, National RTAP, Woburn, MA

Are you overwhelmed by the sea of resources on the Internet that might help you with transit

research? This presentation will provide an overview of National RTAP’s online toolkit “How to

Find Almost Anything,” as well as our other guides and resources. Learn more about tips and

tricks for finding what you need, and more easily locate rural and tribal transit information.

hOW TEChNOLOgy ENhaNCEs RuRaL & iNTERCiTy bus CusTOMER sERViCE, safETy,

aNd sECuRiTy — Cypress I & II

Moderator: Mark Wall, Lake Transit Authority

This session will investigate how technology innovations intersect with operations policy and training in

rural and intercity bus operating environments to improve customer service, safety, and security. Three

industry experts will describe the increasing role of technology in guiding drivers, operations management,

and field staff in dealing with difficult or dangerous situations and passengers—as well as in improving

customer relations, operations policies and procedures, and overall safety and security levels. This is

sure to be an interesting session you won’t want to miss!

LEVERagiNg TEChNOLOgy TO iNNOVaTE CusTOMER sERViCE, safETy, aNd sECuRiTy

iN bus TRaNsiT

Presenter: Del Lisk, Lytx, San Diego, CA

As the transit industry pursues ever-increasing safety, security, and service levels, numerous

on-board technologies have emerged to capture critical data and provide insights into what

is actually occurring in a vehicle fleet. This presentation explores how video-based driver risk

management technology—combining video event recording, predictive analytics, and coaching

as a proactive tool to reduce risky driving behavior and resulting collisions—integrates with

other on-board solutions to significantly improve service, safety and security for rural transit

drivers, passengers, and others on the road.

35

hOW TEChNOLOgy, POLiCiEs, aNd TRaiNiNg haVE ENhaNCEd gREyhOuNd

CusTOMER sECuRiTy

Presenter: Juan Antonio Lopez, Greyhound Lines, Inc

Learn about Greyhound’s use of technology, policies, and procedures to enhance passenger

security. The presentation will include discussion of technologies which support security, information

on security-specific training for drivers and dispatch/control personnel, the rules that Greyhound

has established for passenger behavior and security, and how Greyhound works with law enforcement

in the many states and jurisdictions in which it operates.

usiNg iTs TO iMPROVE PassENgER aNd bus dRiVER sECuRiTy aT MONTEREy-saLiNas

TRaNsiT

Presenter: Kelly Halcon, Monterey-Salinas Transit, Monterey, CA

In 2012, the American Public Transportation Association awarded Monterey-Salinas Transit the

“APTA Bus Safety Excellence Gold Award,” recognizing its innovative and proactive safety

and security program. The top honor, the “Gold Award,” is given to organizations with the

best overall bus safety program. Learn more about the elements of MST’s safety and security

program and its use of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) to protect its passengers and

personnel—including technology such as alarms to summon first responders, microphones for

monitoring emergency situations, and GPS locators to speed reaction times.

1:00 P.M. - 2:30 P.M.

CONfERENCE agENda

1:00 P.M. - 2:30 P.M. ENViRONMENTaL JusTiCE aNd TiTLE Vi: COMPLiaNCE aNd bEsT PRaCTiCEs — Point Lobos I

Moderator: Patrisha Piras, Pat Piras Consulting

Learn more about Title VI and Environmental Justice requirements and guidelines that apply to

rural systems, along with best practices and strategies for compliance.

COMPLyiNg WiTh TiTLE Vi aNd ENViRONMENTaL JusTiCE REguLaTiONs iN RuRaL

sysTEMs

Presenter: Linda Ford, FTA Office of the Chief Counsel

Learn more about implementing policies that comply with the Federal Transit Administration’s

Title VI and Environmental Justice guidelines.

by Garrapata Big Sur

36

CONfERENCE agENda

1:00 P.M. - 2:30 P.M. PaRTNERiNg WiTh fEdERaL LaNds aNd PaRks — Point Lobos II

Moderator: Nathan Caldwell, US Fish and Wildlife Service

With rising transportation costs, internal congestion, and greenhouse gas emission reduction

goals to meet, federal land managers are looking at transit and non-motorized transportation

options as ways to continue to welcome visitors but reduce environmental impacts and improve

visitor’s experiences. Additionally the number of carless households are increasing in the US

and the rising overseas middle class that is interested in visiting US public lands are comfortable

and used to travelling without personal vehicles. How do rural transit agencies and intercity

buses fit into this picture? Why do they need to be there?

CasE sTudy: bEaVERCREEk TiTLE Vi/ENViRONMENTaL JusTiCE COMPLaiNT aNd REsOLuTiON

Presenter: Marc Brenman, Social Justice Consultancy, Kensington, MD

One of the very few Title VI/Environmental Justice complaints filed with the Federal Highway

Administration (FHWA) of the US Department of Transportation was successfully investigated

and resolved in 2013. The case is precedent-setting. As a consultant with the complainants

on Title VI matters, the presenter will provide a unique perspective on the allegations of exclusion

under Title VI regulations.

bEsT PRaCTiCEs iN TRibaL CONsuLTaTiON: a TRibaL PERsPECTiVE

Presenter: Raquelle Myers, National Indian Justice Center, Santa Rosa, CA

This presentation will present a brief overview of the historical and legal background of tribal

sovereignty in relation to tribal government operations, federal Indian Law, cultural resources,

and the unique relationship between tribal and state governments. The presenter will focus

on lessons learned and best practices in working in meaningful and effective relationships with

Native American tribes and communities on state/tribal issues.

fuNdiNg OPPORTuNiTiEs fOR PROVidiNg aCCEss TO fEdERaL LaNds

Presenter: David Kack, Small Urban and Rural Livability Center—Western Transportation Institute,

Bozeman, MT

Any rural transit systems are in relatively close proximity to federal lands, including national

parks, national forests, wildlife refuges and lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management

(BLM). Under MAP-21 there is funding available to transit systems that provide access to these

Federal lands. However, there are some eligibility requirements that may prevent this from

happening. In this presentation, attendees will learn more about the Federal Lands Transportation

Program and Federal Lands Access Program and how they may be able to obtain funding to

provide transit service to and within federal lands.

37

OPERaTiONaL TEChNOLOgy: fasTER, bETTER, MORE — Big Sur

Moderator: Rob Tassinari, National RTAP

Public transportation improves the environment in more ways than just reducing single occupancy vehicle

trips. Alternative fuel vehicles; LEED or zero energy facilities; and reducing wait-time through real-time

information systems are other ways the industry is helping the environment and improving service.

1:00 P.M. - 2:30 P.M.

PROVidiNg aCCEss TO PubLiC LaNds ThROugh a JOiNT POWERs auThORiTy: a CasE

sTudy Of ThE yOsEMiTE aREa REgiONaL TRaNsPORTaTiON sysTEM

Presenter: Richard Whittington, YARTS, Merced, CA

Can visitors and residents get to your nearby public lands without a personal vehicle, and why

is it important? Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) is in its 15th year of

operation, providing public transit services to locals, visitors and commuters in the region, and

does not receive formula funding. Learn more about its business model as a California Joint

Powers Authority (JPA), currently with three central California counties as members.

CaR-LEss CaLifORNia: CONNECTiONs TO fEdERaL LaNds fROM ThE CiTiEs TO ThE

RuRaL LaNds—WiThOuT CaRs

Presenter: Emilyn Sheffield, California State University, Chico, Chico, CA

CAR-LESS California is a state-wide alternative transportation planning project targeting

underserved populations and providing access to federal, state and local public lands—all

without private vehicles. Learn more about this initiative which meets Federal Land Management

agencies’ goals to provide access for diverse populations to the lands they steward and, at the

same time, reduces congestion and pollution.

CONfERENCE agENda

TiPs fOR iMPLEMENTiNg aLTERNaTiVE fuEL VEhiCLEs iN RuRaL TRaNsiT

Presenter: Jonathan Brooks, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, Houston, TX

Transit operators face pressure to reduce pollution and increase operational efficiency. Grant funding

and technological advancements have created opportunities for agencies to address these issues with

alternative-fueled transit vehicles. Learn more about the factors rural transit agencies should consider

when pursuing alternative-fueled fleets including capital investment in vehicles and infrastructure, garage

modifications, and training requirements.

gROWiNg gREEN: buiLdiNg a LEEd-CERTifiEd faCiLiTy

Presenter: Tim Geibel, Crawford Area Transportation Authority, Meadville, PA

Learn about Crawford Area Transportation Authority’s new LEED-certified facility. Learn more about

the technologies used, the benefits and challenges they’ve experienced, and lessons learned in

building a green facility.

38

CONfERENCE agENda

gROWiNg gREEN: buiLdiNg ThE fiRsT NET-zERO ENERgy TRaNsiT faCiLiTy

Presenter: Tina Cote, Franklin Regional Transit Authority, Greenfield, MA

Learn more about what it takes to build a “net-zero” energy transit facility. Hear about the

technologies, what training and upkeep is necessary to maintain it, the benefits, the challenges,

and some of the lessons learned so far.

VENdOR shOW & bREak — The Dolphins

Sponsored by: Q’Straint/Sure-Lok

Visit the vendors, complete your vendor show card, and be eligible to win prizes including the

grand prize of an Apple iPad.

2:30 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.

VENdOR TEaR-dOWN — The Dolphins4:00 P.M. - 5:15 P.M.

sETTiNg OuR COuRsE fOR ThE fuTuRE ThROugh REsEaRCh: WhaT aRE ThE NEEds?

— Robert Louis Stevenson

Moderator: Will Rodman, Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates

Research conducted in the next five years will inform our practice for the next 10-15 years. The

research subcommittee of TRB’s Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Committee needs

your help in identifying and prioritizing current research needs. Come join us in a fun, informal,

participatory and important gathering.

4:00 P.M. - 5:30 P.M.

WhaT EVERy MaNagER shOuLd kNOW: hOT TOPiCs iN fEdERaL COMPLiaNCE —

Monterey Bay

Moderator: Mokhtee Ahmad, Federal Transit Administration, Region VII

From drug and alcohol compliance to transit asset management and questions about the use of

route deviation in rural systems, the session will provide some valuable information to some of the

hot topics in rural transit management.

4:00 P.M. - 5:30 P.M.

by Michael Baird

39

iMPLEMENTaTiON aids iN COMPLyiNg WiTh fTa dRug aNd aLCOhOL TEsTiNg

REguLaTiONs

Presenter: Diana Byrnes, Center for Urban Transportation Research, Tampa, FL

From sample policies to documentation forms to background check consent forms, there are

many tools available to rural transit managers to assist with compliance with FTA drug and alcohol

policies. Learn more about these tools, and receive a flash drive with all the samples highlighted

during the presentation.

LEaRNiNg MORE abOuT TRaNsiT assET MaNagEMENT: suPPORTiNg a

NEEds-dRiVEN CaPiTaL PLaNNiNg PROCEss WiTh TRaNsaM

Presenter: Elizabeth Bonini, PennDOT, Harrisburg, PA

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and the Pennsylvania Department of

Transportation’s Bureau of Public Transportation have partnered to develop a transit asset management

tool that will be linked to each state’s existing grant management system. Transit Asset Manager,

or TransAM, is being developed to support a needs-driven capital planning process. Learn more

about this tool and its focus on providing an up-to-date capital inventory and detailed reporting,

all geared to reduce the asset management reporting burden for transit agencies.

iMPLEMENTiNg aNd MaNagiNg ROuTE dEViaTiON sERViCEs iN RuRaL OREgON

Presenter: Jean Palmateer, Oregon DOT, Salem, OR

Rural transit operated in the traditional demand-response design is typically operated in a

low-density environment and the demand for the service is generally from transit-dependent

individuals: kids who do not drive, older adults, people with disabilities, and people with low

incomes. However, in a few communities, rural transit agencies have been experimenting successfully

with various route deviation designs in an effort to serve more people and as a way to attract

riders of choice and those who wish to be more independent in making travel choices. Route

deviation is poorly described in federal literature in terms of best practice. Regulatory information

tends to be quite limited and contradictory. Learn more about the issues in rural Oregon and

the role of this service design in meeting rural needs.

CONfERENCE agENda

usiNg TRadiTiONaL aNd NON-TRadiTiONaL PERfORMaNCE MEasuREs iN fuNdiNg

dECisiONs — Cypress I & II

Moderator: George Sparks, Pomona Valley Transportation Authority

In an environment of fiscal constraint, particularly in rural communities where the competition for

local match dollars can be fierce, it is incumbent on transit leaders to be able to convey the impact

of services on the economic vitality of the community. These presenters will provider three perspectives

on the use of data, in both traditional and non-traditional approaches, to convey the importance of

transit in the community and the benefits provided to its citizens.

4:00 P.M. - 5:30 P.M.

40

by MST San Jose Bus

CONfERENCE agENda

COsT bENEfiT aNaLysis Of RuRaL aNd sMaLL uRbaN TRaNsiT

Presenter: Ranjit Godavarthy, Small Urban and Rural Transit Center, Upper Great Plains Transportation

Institute, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND

The true value of rural and small urban transit systems has been largely unmeasured, and the impacts

of those services go unidentified. This presentation describes a study which focused on the qualitative

and quantitative benefits of small urban and rural public transit systems utilizing data from the Rural

National Transit Database to calibrate the transit benefits and costs.

WhEN ONE sizE dOEs NOT fiT aLL: dEVELOPiNg RELEVaNT PERfORMaNCE MEasuREs

fOR COORdiNaTEd huMaN sERViCE aNd RuRaL TRaNsiT PROJECTs

Presenter: Meredith Highsmith, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, Austin, TX

Determining the impact of coordination on rural transit requires selection of relevant performance

measures, both traditional and non-traditional. This presentation offers an overview of performance

measures of transportation coordination, derived from several national case studies of rural

transportation coordination performance.

usiNg iNfORMaTiON TO gaRNER suPPORT fOR TRaNsiT

Presenter: Jonathan Brooks, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, Houston, TX

Do you need to help your local elected officials understand the current investment in transit and

perhaps the need for expanded investment? This presentation will describe a process developed

at Texas A&M which uses surveys to sample riders, with an overall purpose to more effectively

communicate the who and why of transit ridership.

ENhaNCiNg LiVabiLiTy iN RuRaL aMERiCa: WhaT iT MEaNs iN yOuR sTaTE, REgiON,

aNd COMMuNiTy — Big Sur

Moderator: Jill Hough, North Dakota State University

The six livability principles developed under the Partnership for Sustainable Communities can be

applied in a state, region, or community depending on the particular demographic, environmental, and

economic context of the area. This session will include a presentation which presents an overall

matrix of example measures for livability under the framework. A specific example of how livability

principles were defined and adapted for Montana communities will then be provided. Finally, a

perspective from state DOTs will be provided with an overview of funding approaches to support

rural regional and local transit development across the country.

4:00 P.M. - 5:30 P.M.

41

ThE RELaTiONshiP bETWEEN RuRaL REgiONaL MObiLiTy aNd hOW LOCaL TRaNsiT

is ORgaNizEd

Co-Presenters: Kimberly Johnson, Michigan Department of Transportation, Lansing, MI and

Steve Hirshfield, Wisconsin DOT, Madison, WI

Kim and Steve represent their respective State DOTs as well as the Multi-State Technical Assistance

Program, a working group of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials,

Standing Committee on Public Transportation. They will discuss how the rural transit network has

evolved over different time frames and in different ways. In some states, the local network is very

regional in nature (multi-county agencies) and in other states more local in nature (community

or county level agencies). This presentation will detail some of the variation of among states in

approaches to funding local rural transit and intercity bus transit services and perspectives on what

State DOTs can do to improve rural regional mobility. This presentation is based on work under-

way under a 2014 NCHRP 20-65 research project.

iNCORPORaTiNg LiVabiLiTy MEasuREs as PaRT Of RuRaL TRaNsiT PLaNNiNg

Presenter: Suzie Edrington, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, Houston, TX

Learn how rural transit agencies can incorporate livability measures into a rural transit plan.

Using the Partnership for Sustainable Communities livability principles as a framework, the

presentation will suggest measures under which to identify community population and environmental

characteristics and create a community vision for livability under which transit can impact rural livability.

LiVabiLiTy aNd TRaNsPORTaTiON—dEfiNiNg MONTaNa’s PERsPECTiVE

Presenter: David Kack, Small Urban and Rural Livability Center—Western Transportation Institute,

Bozeman, MT

While six livability principles have been defined at a national level, livability means different

things to different people. A study in Montana identified a definition of livability for Montana

and the role transportation can play in improving livability in its communities. One size does

not fit all, and any definition of livability should have some flexibility and scalability based on

local needs and a community vision.

CONfERENCE agENda

TEChNOLOgy iMPROVEMENTs iN iNTERCiTy bus TRaNsPORTaTiON — Point Lobos II

Moderator: Robin Phillips, Oregon Department of Transportation

New technology can help you reduce barriers to seeing and using the intercity bus! How is it being

used to coordinate with local transit providers and what is needed so that you and your customers

can benefit from it too? Come and hear how the public and private sectors continue to seek and

implement technology solutions to improve business and customer satisfaction.

4:00 P.M. - 5:30 P.M.

42

CONfERENCE agENda

kEEPiNg uP WiTh TEChNOLOgy fOR gREyhOuNd CusTOMERs aNd fEEdER sERViCE

PaRTNERs aLikE

Co-Presenters: Tim Therrian, Greyhound Lines, Inc., Dallas, TX and Terry Cordell, Transcor,

Jacksonville, FL

The days of manual tickets by Greyhound are a thing of the past. Greyhound now operates with a

dedicated reservations system: once you purchase a ticket for a specific day, time, and bus schedule,

you are guaranteed a seat. As new interline partners expand services, Greyhound is working with a

technology partner to offer a ticketing solution for drivers or bus attendants to sell and print tickets

using on-board mobile WiFi, an iPad, and a wireless printer. This enables these partners to eliminate

or drastically reduce the need for physical ticketing locations and significantly reduce the cost of

ticketing into Greyhound’s reservations system. This presentation will detail the future of Greyhound

ticketing technology solutions with feeder service providers to improve service to passengers.

CONNECTiNg iNTERCiTy bus aNd REgiONaL TRaNsiT usiNg gTfs REaL-TiME

CONCEPTs fOR WEb aVL MaPPiNg

Presenter: Larry Harman, Bridgewater State University/GeoGraphics Laboratory, Bridgewater, MA

Extending traveler information services to trip planning with dynamic real-time information for

inter-regional services from multiple modes on a web-based mapping platform is an emerging

concept called GTFS-Real Time. The migration, storage, and retrieval of multi-modal GTFS-Real

Time data, particularly with the addition of estimated time of arrival (ETA) information has forced

the complete redesign of the database and mapping services to enhance system efficiency and

reliability. This presentation will discuss the hardware and software problems and solutions of

deploying GTFS Real-Time for intercity passenger bus and passenger rail with regional fixed-route,

fixed-route deviation, and demand-responsive paratransit modes.

WhERE’s My bus? kEEPiNg PassENgERs haPPy ThROugh TEChNOLOgy

Presenter: Becky Alper, Jefferson Lines, Minneapolis, MN

Jefferson Lines, Inc. is a major regional intercity bus operator providing service to many small towns

in the Midwest under the Section 5311(f) program. This session will present information about Jefferson’s

Bus Tracker technology that allows riders to find the location of their scheduled buses and the time

they are expected at their boarding point, issues in implementing Wi-Fi service on intercity services, and

other aspects of using technology to improve the customer experience with intercity bus services.

5:30 P.M. MV TRaNsPORTaTiON PiCk uP

Leave Monterey Plaza Hotel to return to Pacific Hotel and Casa Munras Hotel.

43

EVENiNg by ThE sEa — Monterey Bay Aquarium

Experience the Monterey Bay Aquarium in ways, and at times, few ever can. For an enchanted evening,

you will enjoy a strolling dinner in the Open Sea galleries and drift away with the jellies. Dine seated

at tables by the Aquarium’s million-gallon Open Sea exhibit—a mysterious and mesmerizing world

where tuna and sharks speed past; sardines swirl in huge, glittering schools; and sea turtles swim

lazily across the 90-foot window. After dinner, attendees can dance the night away with the Whale

exhibit in the Aquarium.

All attendees will be walking to the Aquarium unless you need transportation. Please make your

request at the registration desk if you need transportation to the Aquarium.

6:00 P.M. - 11:00 P.M.

WEdNEsday, OCTObER 29, 20147:00 a.M.

bREakfasT — Cypress Foyer

CONfERENCE agENda

CaLaCT MEMbERshiP MEETiNg — Monterey Bay

Jacklyn Montgomery, CalACT

Rick Ramacier, Central Contra Costa Transit Authority and CalACT Board Chair

Join CalACT members to hear Association news, events, and results of the Board of Directors

elections.

7:00 a.M. - 8:00 a.M.

6:00 P.M. MV TRaNsPORTaTiON PiCk uP

Attendees that need an accessible vehicle will travel to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Please

make a request for a ride at the registration desk.

9:30 P.M. MV TRaNsPORTaTiON PiCk uP

Attendees using the accessible vehicles will return to their hotel.

10:30 P.M. MV TRaNsPORTaTiON PiCk uP

Attendees using the accessible vehicles will return to their hotel.

MV TRaNsPORTaTiON PiCk uP

Pick up at Pacific Hotel & Casa Munras Hotel.

7:00 a.M. - 8:00 a.M.

44

TOWN haLL MEETiNg: hOT TOPiCs affECTiNg TRaNsiT iN RuRaL aMERiCa — Cypress

Ballroom

Co-Facilitated by: Jon Burkhardt, Consultant, Potomac, MD and Will Rodman, Consultant,

Nelson\Nygaard, Boston, MA.

The US Governmental Accounting Office (GAO) recently completed a study on the “Federal

Role in Rural and Tribal Transit” (June 2014). John Stambaugh, GAO Senior Analyst and the

analyst-in-charge of the project and Heather MacLeod, Assistant Director of GAO will help

us set the stage for the Town Hall Meeting by briefly presenting the findings of the study

pertinent to this forum. Following their presentation, the floor will be opened for comments

and questions. This interactive forum asks conference attendees to identify key barriers and

potential solutions for topics ranging from rural flex routes, administrative burden on transit,

and financial management to non-emergency medical transportation access issues, health

care access, changes in transportation authorization in rural communities, and other “hot

topics” on your mind. You are encouraged to bring written statements to attach to the Town

Hall Meeting Proceedings. Notes on all the comments presented at the meeting, as well as

written comments submitted for the record, will be compiled as a tool for future policy-setting

and possible research topics. A compilation of suggestions will be forwarded to key federal

agencies.

8:00 a.M. - 10:00 a.M.

fuTuRE Of TRaNsiT uPdaTE: fTa MiNi-sTaTEs PROgRaM — Cypress Ballroom

Facilitated by: Leslie T. Rogers, Federal Transit Administration Region IX

Co-Presenters: Henrika Buchanan-Smith, Mary Leary, Jamie Pfister, and Élan Flippin, Federal Transit

Administration, Washington, DC

Join FTA Headquarters program staff to discuss topics of relevance to State DOT staff. Topics of discussion

will include Sections 5310 and 5311 circular updates, the Tribal Program, Transit Asset Management, Transit

Safety Guidance, and the Super Circular. Time for questions and discussion will follow.

10:15 a.M. - 12:15 P.M.

CONfERENCE CLOsiNg12:15 P.M.

CaLaCT bOaRd MEETiNg — Monterey Bay12:15 P.M. - 3:15 P.M.

TRaNsPORTaTiON REsEaRCh bOaRd PaRaTRaNsiT CONfERENCE 3:00 P.M.

CONfERENCE agENda

12:45 P.M. MV TRaNsPORTaTiON PiCk uP

Leave Monterey Plaza Hotel to return to Pacific Hotel and Casa Munras Hotel.

45

fuTuRE CONfERENCEs

PLEasE MaRk yOuR CaLENdaRs fOR fuTuRE CaLaCT CONfERENCEs.

SPRING CONFERENCE 2015

aPRiL 13-16, 2015TENaya LOdgE, yOsEMiTE

CalACT is pleased to be the host agency for this educational and informative national conference. We hope

you will join your colleagues from across the United States to network and share information on transportation.

46

ThaNk yOu fOR yOuR suPPORT

CONfERENCE COMMiTTEEThe TRB Committee on Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation would like to express our appreciation to the 21st

National Rural Public & Intercity Bus Transportation Conference committee members for their willingness to serve on the

Conference planning committee and assistance in promoting education and learning opportunities for conference attendees.

Co-Chairs: Patricia Monahan, Nelson\Nygaard Consulting and Jacklyn Montgomery, CalACT

Todd Allen, RouteMatch Software

Tenley Borchman, CalACT

Brandon Buchanan, American Bus Association

Nathan Caldwell, US Fish & Wildlife Service

Linda Cherrington, Texas A&M TTI

Mark Codey, Caltrans

Elan Flippin, Federal Transit Administration

Fred Fravel, kFH Group

Rich Garrity, RLS & Associates

Stephanie Gonterman, Isaacs & Associates

Shonna Halterman, City of Clovis

Tom Hicks, Monterey-Salinas Transit

Ron Hughes, CalVans

Randy Isaacs, Isaacs & Associates

The 21st National Rural Public & Intercity Bus Transportation Conference Planning Committee extends our deep

appreciation to the Supporting Agencies, Sponsors and Exhibitors for their participation and support of the rural

conference. It is the valuable support and assistance of these companies and speakers that make the education and

networking events of the conference possible.

We also want to thank all the speakers for providing valuable research information and educational presentations to

conference attendees.

sPONsORs, sPEakERs, suPPORTiNg agENCiEs, & ExhibiTORs

We extend our sincere thanks to the wonderful staff at Monterey-Salinas Transit and the California Association for

Coordinated Transportation (CalACT) who assisted in the planning and completion of the 21st National Rural Public

and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference. We could not have done it without them. Please join us in thanking

them for their hard work.

hOsT agENCy

Joe Meer, Morongo Basin Transit Authority

Dan Mundy, CalACT

Del Peterson, North Dakota State University

Robin Phillips, Oregon DOT

Patrisha Piras, Pat Piras Consulting

Will Rodman, Nelson\Nygaard Consulting

DeAnna Smith, Monterey-Salinas Transit

George Sparks, Pomona Valley Transportation Authority

Mark Szyperski, On Your Mark Transportation

Rob Tassinari, National RTAP

Mark Wall, Lake Transit Authority

Patricia Weaver, kansas University Transportation Center

Jennifer Weeks, Transportation Research Board

Committee Members

moore& associatesLayout & Design by Moore & Associates, Inc.

47

ExPO VENdOR LisT

1 AbiliTrax

2 Mobile Climate Control

3 Winnebago Industries Metro Link

4 MOR/ryde International

5 American Cooling Technology, Inc.

6 Creative Bus Sales

7 ECS Imaging, Inc.

8 TransTrack Systems

9 Intermotive Vehicle Controls

10 Gerflor Tarabus USA

11 Freedman Seating

12 National RTAP

13 ARBOC Speciality Vehicles

14 Q’Straint/Sure-Lok

15 CMI Enterprise

16 Trans/Air Manufacturing

17 Rosco Vision Systems

18 Onspot Automatic Tire Chains

19 Small Urban and Rural Transit Center

20 Radio Engineering, Inc. (REI)

21 Prevost

22 Lockton Insurance

23 Center for Transportation e-Learning

24 Velvac Inc.

25 Ricon

26 Apollo Video Technology

27 Busstuf

28 kelderman Air Suspensions

29 Altro Transflor

30 Hanover Displays

31 Mobilitat

32 A-Z Bus Sales Inc.

33 RouteMatch

34 BraunAbility

35 Telma Retarder, Inc.

36 Thermo king Corporation

Monterey Plaza

Hotel and Spa

46

ExPO VENdOR LisT

suNday9:30 a.M.

11:30 a.M.

11:45 a.M.

12:45 P.M.

1:00 P.M.

1:00 P.M.

1:00 P.M.

5:30 P.M.

CONfERENCE PLaNNiNg COMMiTTEE MEETiNg — Cypress I & II

gOLf OuTiNg — Pacific Grove Golf Links

REgisTRaTiON OPENs — Cypress Foyer

bikE TRiP — Café LaStrada

fTa bus safETy PROgRaM — Big Sur

aCCEss bOaRd guidELiNEs — Robert Louis Stevenson

COsT aLLOCaTiON — Point Lobos

OPENiNg RECEPTiON — Upper Plaza

MONday7:00 a.M.

8:00 a.M.

9:45 a.M.

10:00 a.M.

10:00 a.M.

10:00 a.M.

10:00 a.M.

10:00 a.M.

11:45 a.M.

2:00 P.M.

2:00 P.M.

2:00 P.M.

2:00 P.M.

2:00 P.M.

3:30 P.M.

4:00 P.M.

4:00 P.M.

4:00 P.M.

4:00 P.M.

4:00 P.M.

5:00 P.M.

CONTiNENTaL bREakfasT — Cypress Prefunction

OPENiNg sEssiON & kEyNOTE addREss — Cypress Ballroom

bREak — Cypress Prefunction

hiRiNg aNd TRaiNiNg fOR a gREaT sTaff — Big Sur

sTaTE REsPONsEs TO ChaNgiNg iNTERCiTy bus sERViCEs — Robert Louis Stevenson

EThiCs iN ThE WORkPLaCE — Point Lobos I

ChaNgEs iN ONbOaRd COMMuNiCaTiON TEChNOLOgy — Point Lobos II

COORdiNaTiON aNd MObiLiTy MaNagEMENT — Monterey Bay

aWaRds LuNChEON — Upper Plaza

TRaVEL TRaiNiNg PROgRaMs iN RuRaL COMMuNiTiEs — Big Sur

gTfs: iT’s NOT JusT fOR TRiP PLaNNiNg aNyMORE — Robert Louis Stevenson

gETTiNg hERE fROM ThERE — Point Lobos I

hEaLTh iMPaCT assEssMENTs iN RuRaL COMMuNiTiEs — Point Lobos II

bus safETy aNd EMERgENCy MaNagEMENT — Monterey Bay

NETWORkiNg bREak — The Dolphins

MObiLiTy MaNagEMENT ThROugh REgiONaL bus OPERaTiONs — Cypress I & II

fEEdiNg ThE MaChiNE: daTa gaThERiNg aNd REPORTiNg — Robert Louis Stevenson

suCCEssfuL PaRTNERshiPs iN RuRaL aNd iNTERCiTy bus TRaNsPORTaTiON — Point Lobos I

OuTREaCh iN ThE PLaNNiNg PROCEss — Point Lobos II

ThE ada aNd RuRaL TRaNsiT — Monterey Bay

VENdORs’ ExPO RECEPTiON — Dolphins

bus shOW ExhibiTORs1 A-Z Bus Sales

2 AbiliTrax

3 ARBOC Speciality Vehicles

4 BraunAbility

5 Creative Bus Sales/Champion Bus

6 Golden Gate Truck

7 Specialty Vehicles

8 Winnebago Industries Metro Link

bus shOW ExhibiTORs

CONfERENCE sChEduLE aT a gLaNCE

47

TuEsday6:30 a.M.

7:00 a.M.

7:00 a.M.

7:00 a.M.

7:00 a.M.

7:00 a.M.

8:00 a.M.

9:30 a.M.

10:00 a.M.

10:00 a.M.

10:00 a.M.

10:00 a.M.

10:00 a.M.

11:30 a.M.

1:00 P.M.

1:00 P.M.

1:00 P.M.

1:00 P.M.

1:00 P.M.

2:30 P.M.

4:00 P.M.

4:00 P.M.

4:00 P.M.

4:00 P.M.

4:00 P.M.

6:00 P.M.

bREakfasT

ROuNdTabLE: TRaNsiT assET MaNagEMENT — Big Sur

ROuNdTabLE: ChaNgEs TO sECTiON 5310 — Robert Louis Stevenson

ROuNdTabLE: bROkERiNg NEMT sERViCEs — Point Lobos I

ROuNdTabLE: ChaNgEs TO 5311/5311(f) — Point Lobos II

ROuNdTabLE: dEViaTEd ROuTE aNd RuRaL TRaNsiT — Monterey Bay

NaTiONaL PERsPECTiVEs ON RuRaL PubLiC & iNTERCiTy bus TRaNsPORTaTiON — Cypress Ballroom

bREak WiTh VENdORs — The Dolphins

RuRaL TRaNsiT PLaNNiNg fROM COasT TO COasT TO COasT — Big Sur

PROVidiNg aCCEss TO hEaLTh CaRE iN RuRaL TRaNsiT — Cypress I & II

bus sTOPs ON RuRaL aNd iNTERCiTy ROuTEs — Point Lobos I

COMMuNiCaTiNg WiTh CusTOMERs & COMMuNiTiEs — Point Lobos II

PROVidiNg MObiLiTy TO OuR VETERaNs — Monterey Bay

bus shOW LuNChEON — Upper Plaza-Cannery Row

OPERaTiONaL TEChNOLOgy: fasTER, bETTER, MORE — Big Sur

hOW TEChNOLOgy ENhaNCEs bus CusTOMER sERViCE safETy, aNd sECuRiTy — Monterey Bay

ENViRONMENTaL JusTiCE & TiTLE Vi — Point Lobos I

PaRTNERiNg WiTh fEdERaL LaNds & PaRks — Point Lobos II

ThE syNERgy bETWEEN MaRkET REsEaRCh & PLaNNiNg — Monterey Bay

VENdOR shOW aNd bREak — The Dolphins

ENhaNCiNg LiVabiLiTy iN RuRaL aMERiCa — Big Sur

sETTiNg OuR COuRsE fOR ThE fuTuRE ThROugh REsEaRCh — Robert Louis Stevenson

usiNg TRadiTiONaL & NON-TRadiTiONaL PERfORMaNCE MEasuREs — Cypress I & II

TEChNOLOgy iMPROVEMENTs iN iNTERCiTy bus TRaNsPORTaTiON — Point Lobos II

hOT TOPiCs iN fEdERaL COMPLiaNCE — Monterey Bay

EVENiNg by ThE sEa — Monterey Bay Aquarium

CONfERENCE sChEduLE aT a gLaNCE

bREakfasT — Cypress Foyer

CaLaCT MEMbERshiP MEETiNg — Monterey Bay

TOWN haLL MEETiNg — Cypress Ballroom

fuTuRE Of TRaNsiT uPdaTE — Cypress Ballroom

CaLaCT bOaRd MEETiNg — Monterey Bay

7:00 a.M.

7:00 a.M.

8:00 a.M.

10:15 a.M.

12:15 P.M.

WEdNEsday

48

bREakfasT

ROuNdTabLE: TRaNsiT assET MaNagEMENT — Big Sur

ROuNdTabLE: ChaNgEs TO sECTiON 5310 — Robert Louis Stevenson

ROuNdTabLE: bROkERiNg NEMT sERViCEs — Point Lobos I

ROuNdTabLE: ChaNgEs TO 5311/5311(f) — Point Lobos II

ROuNdTabLE: dEViaTEd ROuTE aNd RuRaL TRaNsiT — Monterey Bay

NaTiONaL PERsPECTiVEs ON RuRaL PubLiC & iNTERCiTy bus TRaNsPORTaTiON — Cypress Ballroom

bREak WiTh VENdORs — The Dolphins

RuRaL TRaNsiT PLaNNiNg fROM COasT TO COasT TO COasT — Big Sur

PROVidiNg aCCEss TO hEaLTh CaRE iN RuRaL TRaNsiT — Cypress I & II

bus sTOPs ON RuRaL aNd iNTERCiTy ROuTEs — Point Lobos I

COMMuNiCaTiNg WiTh CusTOMERs & COMMuNiTiEs — Point Lobos II

PROVidiNg MObiLiTy TO OuR VETERaNs — Monterey Bay

bus shOW LuNChEON — Upper Plaza-Cannery Row

OPERaTiONaL TEChNOLOgy: fasTER, bETTER, MORE — Big Sur

hOW TEChNOLOgy ENhaNCEs bus CusTOMER sERViCE safETy, aNd sECuRiTy — Monterey Bay

ENViRONMENTaL JusTiCE & TiTLE Vi — Point Lobos I

PaRTNERiNg WiTh fEdERaL LaNds & PaRks — Point Lobos II

ThE syNERgy bETWEEN MaRkET REsEaRCh & PLaNNiNg — Monterey Bay

VENdOR shOW aNd bREak — The Dolphins

ENhaNCiNg LiVabiLiTy iN RuRaL aMERiCa — Big Sur

sETTiNg OuR COuRsE fOR ThE fuTuRE ThROugh REsEaRCh — Robert Louis Stevenson

usiNg TRadiTiONaL & NON-TRadiTiONaL PERfORMaNCE MEasuREs — Cypress I & II

TEChNOLOgy iMPROVEMENTs iN iNTERCiTy bus TRaNsPORTaTiON — Point Lobos II

hOT TOPiCs iN fEdERaL COMPLiaNCE — Monterey Bay

EVENiNg by ThE sEa — Monterey Bay Aquarium

NOTEs