Microtransit Report
Description
Microtransit is an emerging mobility option that combines the flexibility of demand response transportation with mobile technologies. As with all emerging modes, existing and potential microtransit sites need to be evaluated for how well they address equity, efficiency, and effectiveness.
Process
The analytical process will vary by site, but typically begins with a spatial analysis of the service area demographics combined with origin/destination analysis from the Demand Response Transportation Planning and Visualization GIS Tools. Complicated results are reduced to key components like those in the System Summary Fact Sheets to help with disseminating the findings to policy makers, elected officials, and the public.
Benefits
Understanding the mobility benefits of microtransit compared to other modes and who receives the benefits is essential for determining where and how it can be deployed in the best way to meet public policy goals.
Project Sponsor
NCDOT
For More Information
Kai Monast
919-515-8768 | kcmonast@ncsu.edu
Enterprise Asset Management
Description
The Enterprise Asset Management software is a web-based asset management program used by all Community Transportation systems in North Carolina and some urban systems. The software documents all preventative maintenance performed on assets as required by the Federal Transit Administration. The Public Transportation Group is the point of contact for all North Carolina users of this software and we provide training and data management support.
Process
The Enterprise Asset Management software allows user to enter daily mileage and lift cycle count information. Work orders can be created to document that preventative maintenance and repairs are being performed. Additional tools in the software aid the system in understanding how close to the next PM a vehicle/lift is.
Benefits
The Enterprise Asset Management software is a data warehouse for everything related to vehicle maintenance. Entering daily mileage and lift cycle count readings will allow the transit system to keep track of when services are coming due.
Project Sponsor
NCDOT
For More Information
Kai Monast
919-515-8768 | kcmonast@ncsu.edu
NTD Reports
Description
The Federal Transit Administration requires that transit system’s funded with Sections 5311 funds report their service statistics and financial data every year. ITRE’s Public Transportation Group collects operational statistics from Section 5311-funded transit systems and enters this data into the Rural National Transit Database (NTD) at the end of each fiscal year. In addition, we assist transit systems funded with Section 5307 money with entering data into the Urban National Transit Database.
Process
Because the data warehouse and collector of the Operating Statistics, we collect, clean, and analyze all service and financial data used as inputs to the National Transit Database. Service statistics and admin/operating and capital expenses by mode and vehicle utilization data are entered by ITRE into NTD’s online database for each rural transit system in the State of North Carolina. We also assist urban reporters with entering their data and allocating their service to urban and non-urbanized areas.
Benefits
The National Transit Database benefits from having a single point of contact who can assist with both urban and rural reports. More importantly, the transit systems and the state benefit from having a single entity collect the statistics and enter them into the federal clearing house as this reduces their workload.
Project Sponsor
NCDOT
For More Information
Kai Monast
919-515-8768 | kcmonast@ncsu.edu
OpStats
Description
Operating Statistics (OpStats) are collected from each rural and urban transit provider in North Carolina each quarter. These statistics contain service information such as number of trips, miles, and hours by mode and revenues and expenses by category.
Process
When the transit system submits the data, ITRE imports the data into a database, cleans the data, and analyzes it. Analytical reports are provided back to the transit systems and to the state. The operational statistics are also used in reporting to the National Transit Database to satisfy requirements for continued grant funding from the Federal Transit Administration.
Benefits
By archiving this information in a database, reports can be created that display a transit systems data over time. This allows the transit system to see how they are performing compared to previous years. Peer Group reports allow each system to see how they are performing compared to other similar systems. These reports can be given to elected officials, advisory board members or the public to how they are performing.
Project Sponsor
NCDOT
For More Information
Kai Monast
919-515-8768 | kcmonast@ncsu.edu
Performance Plans
Description
Performance Plans are used to assess a transit system’s performance and encourage performance improvement. This is done by comparing a system to itself and to its peers over time and by assessing the transit system’s operations and policies.
Process
A transit system fills out a Business Practice Questionnaire and submits it to ITRE’s Public Transportation Group. A staff member performs a site visit and to gather more information.
Benefits
The information contained in the questionnaire along with the site visit findings and system’s OpStats and VUD is used to determine how a system is performing and where they could improve. The transit system is provided with a draft copy of the plan for comments and these comments are addressed before the plan is finalized.
Project Sponsor
NCDOT
For More Information
Kai Monast
919-515-8768 | kcmonast@ncsu.edu
TrIP_Maker
Description
TrIP_Maker is a scheduling and billing software created by ITRE’s Public Transportation Group and used by approximately 25 Community Transportation systems in North Carolina and a handful outside of the state. It was originally developed in 2000 and has been frequently updated since then, with a complete redesign in 2011. The software is is designed to encourage quality business practices. It is not an automated scheduling system, but instead relies upon sound transit planning practices. It is an very affordable solution for transit systems that schedule less than 400 trips per day and is available outside of North Carolina for a small fee associated with implementation training and support.
Process
The software is currently based on a Microsoft Access platform that allows for up to six users. There are no software costs outside of purchasing MS Access and paying for setup, training, and support as needed.
Benefits
TrIP_Maker is a software that allows transit systems automate the process of scheduling their trips and creating the manifests in addition to printing out billing reports that can be sent to the funding agency for reimbursement.
Project Sponsor
NCDOT
For More Information
Jeremy Scott
919-515-8624 | jscott@ncsu.edu
VUD
Description
Vehicle Utilization Data (VUD) consists of actual service, revenue, and ridership data by run. ITRE has collected this data twice a year from Community Transportation providers in North Carolina since 2004.
Process
The VUD dataset is a key resource for determining when and how the vehicle assets are being utilized. The raw VUD data are imported into a database.
Benefits
Analytical reports are provided to the transit system’s and the North Carolina Department of Transportation. In addition, the reports are used to inform Performance Plans and other efforts aimed at improving efficiency and resource utilization.
Project Sponsor
NCDOT
For More Information
Jeremy Scott
919-515-8624 | jscott@ncsu.edu
Kai Monast
919-515-8768 | kcmonast@ncsu.edu
Service Planning and Evaluation
Description
Using client based data, ITRE’s Public Transportation Group (PTG) evaluate and propose alternative service delivery opportunities for the transportation systems. We have been working with several transit systems to create a zone based structured service plan. This new service will improve efficiency while serving the same number of trips, use fewer vehicles and reduce employee frustration.
Process
We created a GIS model to generate service zones based on geographic features including roads, water bodies, and railroads. Existing client demands were then mapped to the zones, creating a meaningful and actionable structured service schedule that groups customers by their preference time and service zones.
Benefits
By moving to zone based structured scheduling, customers and sponsoring agencies will enjoy certainty in both service and costs. With fixed service times and fixed zones, drivers will operate on a set schedule, allowing transit systems to reduce fleet size through efficient vehicle utilization. Assigning a customer to a zone allows the scheduler to quickly fill available vehicles in that zone, maximizing productivity.
Project Sponsor
NCDOT
For More Information
Jeremy Scott
919-515-8624 | jscott@ncsu.edu
Kai Monast
919-515-8768 | kcmonast@ncsu.edu
Trip Planner Development (GTFS)
Description
The General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) is a format that among many other applications, allows Google Transit to utilize transit data. PTG has been building GTFS feeds for various fixed route systems in the state and assisted in getting these feeds published on Google Maps.
Process
Google My Maps was most recently used as an interface with which to visually outline the route, and Excel was used to create the CSV spreadsheet files that comprise the feed. The Google Developers page on GTFS feeds is used as a style guide and the developer-provided validation tools enable testing of the feeds to ensure format compatibility.
Benefits
GTFS has become the unofficial standard format for the publishing and communication of transit data. A published feed maintained by a transit system allows developers to utilize the feed and write applications that consume that data in an interoperable way. GTFS is also the format used by Google Transit, which can function as a tool for riders to plan trips and connect trips to other fixed routes. This interface simplifies the process of riding the bus and therefore, has the potential to increase ridership.
Project Sponsor
NCDOT
For More Information
Jonah Freedman
919-515-8622 | jfreedm@ncsu.edu
Kai Monast
919-515-8768 | kcmonast@ncsu.edu
Technology Implementation and Support
Description
Transit is a data-intensive industry and there is a growing reliance on technological solutions for managing this information. The Public Transportation Group assists transit systems with identifying, procuring, and implementing appropriate technologies ranging from Automated Demand Response Scheduling Software to Automated Passenger Counters.
Process
Because transit system employees tend to have limited experience with these technologies, our staff are onsite at the implementation setups so we can act as a translator between the technology provider and the transit system and offer advice on how to set up the technology successfully.
Benefits
We continue to be involved after implementation by providing technical assistance and guidance on how to adjust settings and analyze the data.
Project Sponsor
NCDOT
For More Information
Kai Monast
919-515-8768 | kcmonast@ncsu.edu
Fully Allocated Cost Model
Description
The Fully Allocated Cost Model is a tool that has been modified by ITRE’s Public Transportation Group to enable transit systems to understand their true cost of service. The tool was created to aid transit systems in understanding their expenses and how to set appropriate billing rates.
Process
The Fully Allocated Cost Model is made up of several worksheets inside one workbook. The user enters their expenses (based on expense codes), in-kind services, operational statistics and grant and reserve information. The tool then calculates what the billing rates should be using different billing methods to ensure that all expenses are covered.
Benefits
This tool gives each transit system a starting point on where to set their billing rates. They can then increase or decrease that rate depending on the characteristics of service that is provided.
Project Sponsor
NCDOT
For More Information
Kai Monast
919-515-8768 | kcmonast@ncsu.edu
Intercity Bus
Description
Supporting intercity bus service is a federal and state priority. ITRE assists with intercity bus planning, service evaluation, and contract management. We work closely with intercity bus providers and the North Carolina Department of Transportation to ensure that North Carolina’s citizens have access to long-distance mobility services.
Process
Intercity bus contracts for subsized routes are solicited every two years. The Public Transportation Group assesses historic route utilization, solicits input for future routes, and applies this information to a service design concept.
Benefits
Intercity bus providers bid on the service. After the operating contracts are awarded by the North Carolina Department of Transportation, we assist with contractor management and collect, analyze, and report operating statistics.
Project Sponsor
NCDOT
For More Information
Kai Monast
919-515-8768 | kcmonast@ncsu.edu
Economic Benefits of Transit
Description
Economic Benefits of Transit is a tool that explains the role transit systems in the State of North Carolina play in the economic vitality of their community.
Process
Data are collected for each transit system including number of employees, ridership information, and operational and capital expenditures. This information is the imported into the TREDIS software to calculate the economic impact each transit system has on its community and surrounding communities. In addition, the community benefits of having a transit option are calculated for rural and small urban areas using a methodology developed by the Small Urban and Rural Transportation Center while the urban benefits are calculated based primarily on research from the Center for Urban Transportation Research.
Benefits
Each year, transit systems are provided with a economic benefit flier showing the total trips provided, the benefit of having a transit option in the community, and the impact that this service had on business output, jobs, and wages. The results for each system are also combined to determine the economic and mobility benefits for the State of North Carolina. Having a single-source for economic benefit analysis and a statewide standard report makes it easy for transit professionals to explain how investing in transit pays off in local communities.
Project Sponsor
NCDOT
For More Information
Kai Monast
919-515-8768 | kcmonast@ncsu.edu