Ohio Department of Transportation • Office of Transit Please send your articles and pictures to Dave Seech – [email protected]� � ���� � � � � � � ���� � � � � Summer 2005 ODOT.... TOPS IN INFRASTRUCTURE PT Patter 2 Drive Training 2 Why Defensive Driving Class? 3 Bring You Child to Work 3 Laketran 4 OPTA/ODOT Conference 4 What’s Happening in Transit? 5 Employee Perspective 5 GDRTA Interns 6 Lessons Learned at CTAA 6 United We Ride 7 In This Newsletter InDOT uses ODOT as a Transportation Model by Ron Poole and Dave Seech, ODOT T wo recent national studies have shown Ohio has made significant improvements to its infrastructure in recent years, and is one of the top-ranking states related to infrastructure in the U.S. These improvements and national recognition caught the attention of Indiana Department of Transportation (InDOT) officials who want to achieve similar results in their state. InDOT officials were invited to study ODOT’s organizational structure and adopt our core business practices to improve their performance. ODOT’s Division of Local Programs met with managers from InDOT’s Multi- Modal Transportation Division on May 16 to discuss Transit, Local Projects, and Aviation programs and answer questions. The University of North Carolina recently completed the 14 th annual review of state highways that tracked the progress made for seven key performance indicators from 1998 to 2003. ODOT improved significantly on six of the seven indicators. In a more detailed national study, Governing Magazine rated Ohio as one of the top states in the nation and praised many of ODOT’s core business practices. The ranking came from the results of the 2004 Government Performance Project (GPP). The article, Grading the States 2005, serves as a report card on Ohio’s state government and studies key management areas of all state agencies such as money, people, information and infrastructure. Ohio received an overall grade of “B,” and a grade of “A-“ for infrastructure. In overall grades, only six states were ranked higher than Ohio and 12 other states received an equal grade. For infrastructure, Ohio was only surpassed by one state, Utah, while two other states received equal grades. This places Ohio in the top sixth percentile of the nation for infrastructure. In the analysis portion of the report, ODOT is credited with completing a major restructuring, developing a detailed strategic planning process and adopting comprehensive performance measures to track the condition of the state transportation system. The report further credits the continuous and methodical reduction of pavement and bridge deficiencies and overall reduction of roadway fatalities in the state to these efforts. G rading the States 2005 highlights ODOT’s ability to successfully track system conditions via the department’s Organizational Performance Index (OPI). All facets of ODOT’s core business functions were identified as strengths, from long-range capital planning and budgeting to project development and system maintenance. Overall, ODOT received high marks for the department’s long-range planning, intergovernmental coordination and the establishment of a clear link between managerial action and program results. The full report can be viewed on the GPP Web site at: http://results.gpponline.org/ .
Transcript
Ohio Department of Transportation • Office of Transit
Please send your articles and pictures to Dave Seech – [email protected]
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Summer 2005
ODOT....TOPS IN
INFRASTRUCTURE
PT Patter 2
Drive Training 2
Why Defensive Driving Class? 3
Bring You Child to Work 3
Laketran 4
OPTA/ODOT Conference 4
What’s Happening in Transit? 5
Employee Perspective 5
GDRTA Interns 6
Lessons Learned at CTAA 6
United We Ride 7
In This Newsletter
InDOT uses ODOT as a Transportation Modelby Ron Poole and Dave Seech, ODOT
Two recent national studies have shown Ohio has made significant improvements to
its infrastructure in recent years, and is one of the top-ranking states related to infrastructure in the U.S. These improvements and national recognition caught the attention of Indiana Department of Transportation (InDOT) officials who want to achieve similar results in their state. InDOT officials were invited to study ODOT’s organizational structure and adopt our core business practices to improve their performance. ODOT’s Division of Local Programs met with managers from InDOT’s Multi-Modal Transportation Division on May 16 to discuss Transit, Local Projects, and Aviation programs and answer questions.
The University of North Carolina recently completed the 14th annual review of state highways that tracked the progress made for seven key performance indicators from 1998 to 2003. ODOT improved significantly on six of the seven indicators.
In a more detailed national study, Governing Magazine rated Ohio as one of the top states in the nation and praised many of ODOT’s core business practices. The ranking came from the results of the 2004 Government Performance Project (GPP). The article, Grading the States 2005, serves as a report card on Ohio’s state government and studies key management
areas of all state agencies such as money, people, information and infrastructure. Ohio received an overall grade of “B,” and a grade
of “A-“ for infrastructure. In overall grades, only six states were ranked higher than Ohio and 12 other states received an equal grade.
For infrastructure, Ohio was only surpassed by one state, Utah, while two other states received equal grades. This places Ohio in the top sixth percentile of the nation for infrastructure. In the analysis portion of the report, ODOT is credited with completing a major restructuring, developing a detailed strategic planning process and adopting comprehensive performance measures to track the condition of the state transportation system. The report further credits the continuous and methodical reduction of pavement and bridge deficiencies and overall reduction of roadway fatalities in the state to these efforts.
Grading the States 2005 highlights ODOT’s ability to successfully track system
conditions via the department’s
Organizational Performance Index (OPI). All facets of ODOT’s core business functions were identified as strengths, from long-range capital planning and budgeting to project development and system maintenance. Overall, ODOT received high marks for the department’s long-range planning, intergovernmental coordination and the establishment of a clear link between managerial action and program results.
The full report can be viewed on the GPP Web site at: http://results.gpponline.org/.
2 Please send your articles and pictures to Dave Seech – [email protected] 3
OHIO TRANSFER
Please send your articles and pictures to Dave Seech – [email protected]
PT Patterby Dave Seech, ODOT• Chris Imhoff is the new
Operations Manager for MV Transportation, the operator for Ashland Public Transit. Welcome and congratulations Chris.
• David Schwenning is the new Transportation Manager for the Crawford County Transportation Program. Welcome David.
• Jason Moyer is the new Operations Manager for MV Transportation, the operator for Lancaster Public Transit System. Congratulations Jason.
• Eric Tom is the new Transit Director for Transportation for Logan County (TLC). Welcome Eric.
• ODOT’s Office of Transit welcomes John Edmondson to the staff as a Management Analyst. John has excellent technical and communication skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office. John most recently worked as an Operations Manager for Pitney Bowes Management Services. He is currently pursuing a degree in computer sciences from Franklin University. John provides technical assistance to both urban and rural transit systems and works with several MPOs. Welcome to the team John.
• ODOT’s Division of Local Programs welcomes Kim Killian to the staff as an Administrative Assistant. Kim has excellent writing, communication, and organization skills and provides administrative
support to Carla Cefaratti, Deputy Director. Kim most recently worked at the Chase Manhattan Mortgage Corporation. Kim graduated from The Ohio State University with a BA in Art History. Welcome to ODOT Kim.
• ODOT sends its condolences to the family of Stephanie Bevens, Pike County/Community Action Transit System (CATS) Transit Program Director, who died in May. Stephanie was a long time transit advocate and a good friend to many people.
• Chad Hockman is the new General Manager for MV Transportation, the complementary paratransit operator for Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority. Chad was previously the Operations Manager for the Lancaster Public Transit System. Congratulations Chad.
• Carmen Wood is the new Operations Manager for MV Transportation, the operator for Warren County Transit Service (WCTS). Carmen was previously the Operations Manager for Ashland Public Transit. Good luck Carmen.
In May 2005, two new modules were introduced to the DRIVE Train-the-Trainer course. Both modules, ”Transporting Passengers with Mental Illness”
and “Transporting Passengers with Developmental Disabilities,” provide additional training to drivers transporting older passengers and passengers with disabilities.
The DRIVE Train-the-Trainer course is co-sponsored by the Ohio Departments of Aging (ODA) and Transportation (ODOT) and is only offered once in the spring and once in the fall of each year. The two-day course is held in Columbus and instructs trainers on using the DRIVE curriculum. Due to funding constraints, attendance is limited to drivers funded by ODA and/or ODOT. The DRIVE curriculum has been
steadily improved over the past eight years and there is a recertification course offered on the new material. Trainers must take the recertification course every three years to maintain their certification. There are currently about 200 certified DRIVE trainers in Ohio.
The purpose of both modules is to educate drivers on issues associated with transporting passengers with mental illness and developmental
disabilities and identify techniques to effectively assist those passengers. Both modules will be offered with the DRIVE training this fall. Please watch the Office of Transit website for details.
If you have any questions, please contact Kim White at 614-644-0301 or [email protected].
Ohio Sponsors Two New DRIVE Training Modulesby Kim White
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“Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day” was a day-long event to allow children the opportunity to discover the challenges and rewards of a career in the public sector. After the event, the children and parents were greeted with snacks and gifts in the Office of Transit. From left to right are Mike Miller and his son Ryan, Angela Scott-Owens and her daughter Unique, Esther Klaus-Clark and her son Elliott, Jeanne Watkins and her grand-daughter Halle and grand-niece Nala, Barb Piper and her daughter Elizabeth.
ODOT’s Mr. Barrel with (left) Nala Key, grand-niece, and Halle Prewitt, grand-daughter, of Jeanne Watkins, Grants Coordinator, in ODOT’s Office of Transit.
Top 10 Reasons to Participate in a Defensive Driving Classby Lee Cody, ODOT
1. Increase awareness for the need of defensive driving. 2. Discover the benefits of defensive driving. 3. Understand how to identify adverse driving conditions. 4. Learn how to reduce the hazards of adverse driving
conditions. 5. Learn how to recognize common unsafe driving
behaviors. 6. Understand how specific conditions may increase risks of
unsafe behaviors. 7. Learn techniques to reduce unsafe driving behaviors. 8. Learn how to identify aggressive driver behaviors. 9. Learn how to identify ways to maintain self-control
behind the wheel.10. Create a personal plan to manage stressful driving
situations.
Defensive Driving classes are held throughout Ohio, and agencies that are subsidized by either ODOT or the Ohio Department of Aging are encouraged to send their drivers. Certificates are issued upon successful completion of the class. The course is taught by an instructor certified by the National Safety Council. Each class is four hours long and uses a combination of lecture, video and workbook exercises. The cost is $20.00 per person. For more information about this training, registration, and a schedule of classes, see the Office of Transit website at:www.dot.state.oh.us/ptrans.
4 Please send your articles and pictures to Dave Seech – [email protected] 5
OHIO TRANSFER
Please send your articles and pictures to Dave Seech – [email protected]
Laketran’s Ridership Growth Gets National Attentionby Dave Seech, ODOT
Two recent national publications have featured Laketran’s increase in ridership over the past few years. The publications highlight Laketran’s
aggressive marketing strategy, new services, fares/pricing strategies, and increased coordination to better serve their customers. The Research Results Digest 69, April 2005, produced by the Transit Cooperative Research Program assessed key factors and initiatives that lead to ridership increases at 28 transit agencies nationwide. Laketran in Grand River, Ohio, was featured because it increased ridership by 3.3 percent from 2000 to 2002. Key factors influencing this trend were attributed to:
• Marketing: Focused demographic research and use, newspaper coupon program for targeted routes, extensive community involvement programs, senior marketing program
• Service expansion: Additional park-and-ride lots and commuter service, combined transit center and minor league baseball stadium parking, and installed bike racks on all local buses.
• Fares/Pricing: Introduced a direct sale discounted student pass for university students, continued summertime $.10 fare program, low-fare special events, community college student pass program,
introduced monthly commuter pass program, and employer pass subsidy program for Christmas season mall workers
• Coordination and Collaboration: Collaborates with universities, Greater Cleveland RTA, local communities, developers on transit-friendly design, and Sound Transit on regional service
The second publication was a front page article in the April 25, 2005, Passenger Transport newspaper, entitled “As Fuel Prices Climb, Transit Ridership
Grows.” Passenger Transport listed several of Laketran’s marketing programs to attract new riders and produce a five to seven percent increase in ridership in the first few months of 2005. Of course the increase in gasoline prices supported the growth, but Laketran is taking every opportunity to grab new riders by educating motorists on the benefits of using transit. Laketran added the American Automobile Association’s “commuter savings calculator” to its web site, allowing motorists to see how they can save $1,500 to $3,000 per year by taking the bus. Laketran is being proactive by using rising gasoline prices to encourage people to look for more economical commuting alternatives. You can access Laketran’s website at www.laketran.com/.
4 Please send your articles and pictures to Dave Seech – [email protected] 5
OHIO TRANSFER
Please send your articles and pictures to Dave Seech – [email protected]
Office of Transit Employee Perspective by Angela Scott-Owens, ODOT
I have been with ODOT’s Office of Transit since October 2004 and have gained more than I could have ever thought possible in my short time here. Before coming to work in the Office of Transit, I had very little knowledge of how the world of
transit operates. There are so many interesting facets to my job, from data and fiscal reporting to the actual personal assistance that I have been able to provide to the many transit systems. Overall, my job here has been an experience that cannot be matched by 19 years of working with the State of Ohio.
I have found that the most rewarding part of my job is seeing the positive effects that grant assistance plays in transit. After visiting many transit
systems, it is apparent how the elderly and disabled communities benefit from the assistance that we provide. It gives them the confidence and freedom to do for themselves what others have had to do for them. Seeing an otherwise dependent group of people being able to live a more fulfilling life is truly a joy to me and further validates the importance of my work. It’s great to be among coworkers who share the same views on working together to make transit work for everyone. I look forward to many more years of service to the public in the Office of Transit.
What’s Happening in Transit?by Dave Seech, ODOT • On July 14, 2005, the Ohio Department of
Transportation and local dignitaries turned the first ceremonial shovels of dirt to begin the construction of Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority/Metro’s new Government Square transit hub. Government Square closed on Saturday, July 23 and will remain closed until completed in Spring 2006.
Government Square is Metro’s primary downtown
transit hub, located on Fifth Street between Walnut and Main, used by more than 1,000 buses a day. Government Square’s current design dates from 1977. The pavement is deteriorating and the facility does not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. “The new Government Square will improve safety, provide accessibility for people with disabilities, and enhance the urban environment,” said Metro General Manager Mike Setzer. “The new Government Square will be more welcoming for all Metro customers and will complement downtown’s redevelopment efforts, including our neighbor to the west, Fountain Square.”
Total cost of the Government Square redesign is about $9.3 million. In early 2003, Metro secured a $4 million federal earmark for design and construction. ODOT provided $200,000 for the design phase and $3.5 million in additional funding as part of its Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) process. Federal Transit Enhancement and local funds will also be used. Government Square currently includes eight shelters at the main site and additional shelters on Walnut at Fifth Street and on Fifth at Main. Government Square is owned by the
City of Cincinnati, but is operated by Metro and maintained by Downtown Cincinnati Inc.
• The new 2005 Status of Public Transit in Ohio (SOT)
has been posted to the ODOT Office of Transit website at http://www.dot.state.oh.us/ptrans/. Once you get to the website, click on 2005 Status of Public Transit in Ohio (SOT) located under “What’s New.” A CD version of the SOT will be sent to all transit systems and various other transit related agencies. If you have any questions or comments please contact Rena Puckett at (614) 644-0299 or [email protected].
• The ODOT Office of Transit is conducting a Customer Survey via our web page located at http://www.dot.state.oh.us/ptrans/. Look for the survey under “What’s New.” The Customer Survey provides an opportunity for all grantees, consultants, vendors, and other transit agencies to tell us how we are doing and how we can improve the way we provide technical assistance, training, etc. We also want your thoughts on applications, required reports, and documents produced by our office.
This year’s survey has been changed to be more user friendly. We now have a “not applicable” reply and if you elect not to answer a question, you can by-pass it by moving on to the next question. The Office of Transit Customer Survey will be posted on the web until September 15.
If you have any questions, please contact Rena Puckett at (614) 644-0299 or
6 Please send your articles and pictures to Dave Seech – [email protected] 7
OHIO TRANSFER
Please send your articles and pictures to Dave Seech – [email protected]
When Dave asked if I would write an article for Ohio Transfer, I thought his request was premature. He must be asking for a story
concerning What I Did on My Summer Vacation. But no, he wanted one on the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) Expo 2005 in St. Louis, Missouri, May 22-27. For those that stay back in the
operation, they think that attending a conference is a vacation, so Dave’s request wasn’t that far off the mark.
I was honored to represent Ohio as the state delegate at the CTAA Expo 2005. There were not many attendees from Ohio at the expo – budget concerns and distance may have been the reasons Ohioans chose not to attend.
CTAA EXPO 2005by Bill Djubek, Huron County Transit
Students Bill Sares and Nick Ryan had each traveled on transit buses occasionally in their home towns of Toledo and Dayton, but neither
one of them had given a moment’s thought to public transit as a possible career choice. But, after completing the three transit and human service transportation classes at Wright State University (WSU) and serving internships, both Bill and Nick are now permanent, full-time employees of the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority (GDRTA).
Bill, who recently graduated from WSU with a B.S. in Urban Affairs, needed an elective in the fall of 2003 and thought the transit class sounded like it could be interesting. The class was recommended by Dr. Jack Dustin, Chair of the Department of Urban Affairs and Geography, who has been working with ODOT staff in developing the Public and Social Service Transportation Certificate program at WSU. Bill’s previous work experience had been in retail and customer service; like most of us in the field, jobs not closely related to transit. Bill concurrently enrolled in the remaining two transit classes while serving internships at GDRTA. During his first internship, he received a thorough background in every department of the RTA. Bill said, “Having met almost everyone in the organization and knowing who does what is extremely helpful in my current position.” During his second internship in Planning and Marketing, he learned about ridership trends and characteristics. He also learned National Transit Database and American Public Transportation Association reporting procedures and assisted with several duties of a retiring employee. He applied for that person’s job and became the RTA’s newest Ridership Developer.
Nick recently graduated from WSU with a B.S. in Organizational Leadership. He, like Bill, needed an elective and thought the transit class sounded interesting. His instructor, Rich Schultze, encouraged him to continue exploring transit, and the rest is history. Nick’s previous work experience had been in food service and retail. As he was completing the third transit class in the spring of 2005, he also served his internship at GDRTA. During that time, he worked
on route changes, passenger amenities, conducted research on several projects, and became familiar with the organization. “The internship was extremely helpful in learning transit terminology. It was also helpful to read RTA reports and studies and get a good history of the organization,” Nick stated. As a Transit Planner, he is currently working on federal reports, service effectiveness reviews, statistical reports for the board of trustees, as well as route planning.
Both Bill and Nick agree that the WSU instructors, Rich Schultze and Robbie Sarles, are well qualified and foster an interest
in transit and human service transportation. The classes prepared them well for their internships, and as Bill said, “The internships made the classes make sense.” Jame A. Foster, GDRTA’s Director of Planning, agreed stating, “Both of these gentlemen are now our employees; the RTA’s experience with your program has been outstanding.”
As for future plans, Bill will continue to learn the industry and determine how best to serve the public during his tenure at the RTA. Nick says, “I’m in it for the long haul and see this job as a way to give something back to the community.” The transit industry, and especially Ohio, is lucky to have two new, well trained and enthusiastic employees who are putting their educations to work in performing their job duties as well as advocating for transit.
We hope we can formalize the WSU Public and Social Service Transportation Certificate this fall. In the mean time, all three transit/human service transportation classes will be offered again during the 2005-2006 academic year. Students who have successfully completed one or more classes are also eligible to serve as interns, and new internship sites are being developed. The goals of the program continue to be to encourage interest in transit as a career choice and to enhance the skills of transit or human service agency staff already employed. Scholarships to attend the WSU classes are available. For further information on the program, contact Lynn Rathke at 614-644-7362 or [email protected].
GDRTA Benefits From WSU Certificate Programby Lynn Rathke
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Throughout my various career paths, one of the most interesting aspects of each career was meeting others associated with that industry. Each person offers a perspective that we may not encounter in our daily activities. Attending conferences with other transportation industry professionals offers the chance to network and learn from them.
Operators of community transportation and public transit agencies are unique but also very similar. Each system has the universal concern – lack of resources to meet all the needs of those who are transportation dependent. For many systems the resource most in demand is money, for others it is personnel and for others it is vehicles.
The conference emphasis was reauthorization of TEA-21, coordination and elderly transportation. However, the conference addressed a wide range of topics. For specific information you may access program highlights at the CTAA web-site: www.ctaa.org – you do not need to be a CTAA member to access the site.
Small systems will benefit from the TCRP Project No. J-10D, Security Planning Tools for Rural, Small Urban, and Community-Based Public Transportation Operations that was presented at the Expo. The outcome of this project will be a CD template that will allow the insertion of system and community information to produce a Hazard and Security Plan. The CD is scheduled for release late-November or early-December 2005.
CTAA state delegates are elected by the CTAA members - Thank you for your vote. I expect that this was my last CTAA conference. The
Huron County Commissioners passed a resolution dissolving the Huron County Transit Board effective December 31, 2005. As a result of this resolution, it is not my expectation to remain involved in transportation in Huron County. This has been one of my most enjoyable career paths. People are willing to share, help each other and provide a needed service. Keep up the good work. Thank you for the opportunity to represent you and use your knowledge and ideas.
The first phase of the United We Ride State Coordination Grant is well underway.
Five organizations responded to a Request for Qualifications issued by ODOT on behalf of the Statewide Transportation Coordination Task Force to carry out the activities outlined in the grant application. Based primarily on previous experience with transportation coordination in both urban and rural settings, RLS and Associates of Dayton, Ohio, was selected by the review team. Carrie Long of RLS recently attended a Task Force meeting and presented timelines for the tasks. Task Force members provided feedback and reiterated their support of the effort.
The first task involves compiling the results of the Framework for Action which members of the Task
Force completed several months ago. This will present a snapshot of coordination in the state at the current time.
The second task is to hold five (5) stakeholder meetings around the state. RLS staff will facilitate the meetings, and the Task Force will provide lists of their constituents who have an interest in coordination. Stakeholders who attend the meetings will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the adequacy of existing resources to meet transportation needs; benefits of and obstacles to coordination; strengths and weaknesses of current state policies and practices relative to coordination; existing tools at the local level; and recommendations for action. Please watch the mail for notices on dates and locations for the meetings and then distribute
the information to any and all appropriate stakeholders in your communities. We need to hear from a broad range of consumers, elected officials, advocates, funders and providers to determine a course of action for the state.
The third task involves putting together all information gathered from the first two
tasks and developing a three to five year strategic plan for transportation coordination for the state. All activities should be completed by December 31, 2005.
If you have any questions about United We Ride or any of the grant activities, please contact Lynn Rathke, ODOT, at 614-644-7362 or [email protected].
United We Ride Coordination Efforts Continue To Progressby Lynn Rathke
