Advisory Committee Meeting #8
June 14, 2012
Worcester Union Station
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PROJECT TIMELINE
AC
Meeting
AC
Meeting
AC
Meeting
Oct 2011
Nov 2011
Dec 2011
Develop
Statewide Transit
Vision, Goals,
and Evaluation
Criteria
AC
Meeting
Jan 2011 Feb 2012
AC
Meeting
Mar 2012
AC
Meeting
AC
Meeting
AC
Meeting
Apr 2012
May 2012
Jun 2012
Issues Definition and
Evaluation
Identified several and
narrowed to 10 initiatives
Existing Conditions and
Transit Trends
RTA Profiles
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Scenario
Development,
Analysis,
Recommendations
Final
Recommendations
INITIATIVES DISCUSSION
Better MassDOT/RTA Collaboration
Develop More Effective Funding Process
Improve Capital Planning
Enhance Public Information
Develop Consistent Data and Reporting
Develop Service Standards/Guidelines
Improve Service Planning
Identify Additional Revenue
Improve Contracting
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A. Improve RTA/MassDOT
Collaboration
Draft Action Plan
MassDOT and RTAs should reconvene the RTA Council as
a forum to share ideas and discuss potential program
changes.
MassDOT should begin process of expanding the staff
assigned to the Rail and Transit Division.
MassDOT should transition to a more customer-focused
“how can we help you” role that is clearly articulated.
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B. Improve Funding Process
Draft Action Plan
MassDOT and RTAs should pursue supportive legislative
initiatives:
Forward Funding
Estimate overall need to advocate for greater funding
Level of toll credits available to support RTA projects
MassDOT to develop new capital funding allocation
process based on need.
MassDOT and RTAs should work together to identify more
transparent and flexible process for State Contracting
Assistance.
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C. Improve Capital Planning
Draft Action Plan
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MassDOT to obtain current asset data from RTAs.
MassDOT to develop Framework for Statewide Asset
Inventory:
Define specific roles and responsibilities for MassDOT
and RTAs.
Identify level of detail to be collected, a rating system
for asset condition, and electronic/web-based
templates for asset inventory.
MassDOT to submit annual 5-Year Capital Plans,
beginning in 2013.
MassDOT to work with RTAs to develop annual Statewide
RTA Capital Plan.
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D. Enhance Public Information
Draft Action Plan
MassDOT and RTAs to identify public information
priorities and standards:
Minimum set of public information to be provided by
all RTAs
Formatting and presentation standards/guidelines
Use of external tools to disseminate information
MassDOT and RTAs to determine approach for
implementation.
MassDOT to prepare RTA Public Information Guidebook.
MassDOT to identify discretionary grant funds for public
information programs.
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E. Develop Consistent Data/Reporting
Draft Action Plan
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MassDOT should develop a standardized reporting
methodology that provides consistent data by:
RTA
Mode
Geographical area
MassDOT should produce a Data Reporting Guidebook
that:
Defines and describes the new process
Provides technical assistance to the RTAs to implement
the new process
MassDOT should develop an electronic submittal process
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the Nation
in Transportation reporting,
Excellence | www.mass.gov/massdot
that
simplifies
compiles the data, and
F. Develop Service
Standards/Guidelines
Draft Action Plan
RTAs collaboratively develop a set of service standards
and guidelines that:
The RTAs would find most useful
Could be used consistently by all RTAs and MassDOT
MassDOT and RTAs work together to refine the RTA
proposal.
MassDOT and RTAs work collaboratively to develop a
reporting format that is consistent and easy to compile.
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G. Improve Service Planning
Draft Action Plan
RTAs should conduct CSAs every five years.
CSAs should primarily be funded using FTA Section 5303
Metropolitan Planning funds.
RTAs and MPOs will jointly manage CSAs.
MassDOT to develop CSA handbook for guidance and
consistency.
CSA results intended to identify unmet needs and
advance new projects.
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H. Identify Additional Revenue
Draft Action Plan
RTAs to form working group to review current fare
policies and triggers for fare increases.
MassDOT and RTAs to develop framework for UPass
agreements.
RTAs and MassDOT to develop framework for other
partnerships:
Employee transit pass programs
Agreements with local school districts
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I. Improve Contracting
Draft Action Plan
MassDOT to play a role in information-sharing on
contracting issues by:
Maintaining an inventory of current RTA contracts
Creating a database of RTA contracts to identify major
terms and elements
MassDOT to support RTAs interested in piloting alternate
contracting approach.
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Implementation Proposals
More specific direction than Action Plan:
Includes recommended lead agency and general timeline
Some initiatives require more effort than others
Not all timelines start at once
Are implementation plans reasonable?
Do they provide the right level of detail?
Are the expectations realistic?
What are the priorities for Implementation?
Which actions first?
How soon can we get started?
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Next Steps
Final AC meeting today (6/14)
Final comments to MassDOT (Scott) by June 22
June 27 RTA Administrators meeting with
Secretary Davey
Union Station
Prepare final document
Compilation of study materials
Begin implementation late summer/early fall
Schedule RTA Council Meeting for Summer 2012
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