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A Tool for Coordination & Stakeholder Involvement. Pam Couch, Executive Director Modoc Co. Transportation Commission 18 th National Conference on Rural Public & Intercity Bus Transportation Omaha, NE - October 21, 2008 (PDR4). Regional Context. High desert – basin & range topography
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A Tool for Coordination & Stakeholder Involvement Pam Couch, Executive Director Modoc Co. Transportation Commission 18th National Conference on Rural Public & Intercity Bus Transportation Omaha, NE - October 21, 2008 (PDR4)
Regional Context • High desert – basin & range topography • Remote – extensive travel distances • Sparse, dispersed population (2.4/sq mi) • 20% elderly and g-r-o-w-i-n-g • 15 to 21.5% poverty rate • Notaxis, rental cars or passenger carriers • Limited (struggling) health care facilities • Lifeline access and mobility needs
Planning and Design Issues • Coordination is required, but there are • very few rural tools, plans or models, and • little or no resources for frontier rural regions. • Scattered population clusters, isolated ranches, long travel distances, 2-lane mtn. roads and harsh weather challenge system planning, design, productivity & efficiency. • Transportation options – not “which” (is best or preferred) but “if” any at all
System Approach • Solve common problem(s) • Coordination at local, pragmatic level • Consult, collaborate and cooperate to address • Frontier rural challenges • Series of integrated purposeful projects • Identify or progressively develop ‘smart tools’ to enhancecoordination of transportation resources
Regional (3 Counties) NEMT Study Recommendations • “Transit first” priority • Individual (county) coordination models • Develop tools and improve options – according to local resources & priorities • Centralize coordination in Modoc County through Rural MMC and web-based tools
Modoc Mobility Management Center • Project = $120,000 FTA Office of Mobility Innovation + $30,000 local funding • Establish virtual and physical “one-stop” • Develop ITS tools to “Unite Rides” • Provide On-line Transportation Options • public transportation • social/human service transport providers • Tribal and NEMT transportation providers • expandable for other travel options
Growing an Effective Tool • Progressive development and use • Data gathering / confirming • Share results and outcomes • Invite (criticism) suggestions • Consult about findings, future plans and proposed changes.
Survey Form – 6 Sections • Identification • Clients – by age groups and eligibility • Funding– available for transportation • Agency-provided transportation • Parameters • Eligible purposes • Resources • Client & Agency transport needs / “wishes” • Anything else?
Coming Attractions • Regional transportation resource guide • Annual (hard-copy) update • Online (coming soon) • Relational database – in process • Survey responses • Data analysis • Offer to collaborate / coordinate • Driver training • Back-up or relief drivers
Pam Couch, Executive Director Modoc Co. Transportation Commission 111 W. North Street Alturas, CA 96101-3936 (530) 233-6422 ph – 233-3744 fax pamcouch @ frontiernet.net