Creative Funding on a Rural California Frontier

Creative Funding on a Creative Funding on a Rural California FrontierRural California Frontier

Pam Couch, Executive DirectorPam Couch, Executive DirectorModoc TransportationModoc Transportation

CalACT Autumn Conference – Monterey, CACalACT Autumn Conference – Monterey, CACTSAs Today – October 5, 2005 CTSAs Today – October 5, 2005

CalACT 2005 ConferenceCalACT 2005 Conference (10/5/05)(10/5/05) 22

““Tri County Tri County Region”Region”

A Rural Frontier in Northeastern

California


Regional PopulationRegional Population

PopulationPopulation AreaArea DensityDensity

Modoc CountyModoc County 9,449 3,944 2.4 9,449 3,944 2.4

Lassen CountyLassen County (a)(a) 25,477 4,557 5.625,477 4,557 5.6

Plumas CountyPlumas County 20,824 20,824 2,5542,554 8.18.1

Frontier 55,750 11,055 5.0 personsFrontier 55,750 11,055 5.0 persons Region persons sq. mi. per sq. mi.Region persons sq. mi. per sq. mi.

(a) Net of Prison Population (8,351 inmates)(a) Net of Prison Population (8,351 inmates) Source: 2000 CensusSource: 2000 Census


Regional ContextRegional Context High desert – basin & range topographyHigh desert – basin & range topography Sparse, dispersed populationSparse, dispersed population Remote – extensive travel distances Remote – extensive travel distances 20% elderly population and g-20% elderly population and g-rr--oo--ww--ii--nn--gg 15 to 21.5% poverty rate15 to 21.5% poverty rate NoNo taxis, rental cars or passenger carriers taxis, rental cars or passenger carriers Limited (struggling) health care facilitiesLimited (struggling) health care facilities Lifeline access and mobility needsLifeline access and mobility needs


Some of Our ProblemsSome of Our Problems CoordinationCoordination is recommended, but there are is recommended, but there are

– very few rural tools, plans or models, andvery few rural tools, plans or models, and

– little or no resources for frontier rural CTSAslittle or no resources for frontier rural CTSAs..

Scattered population clusters, isolated ranches, extensive Scattered population clusters, isolated ranches, extensive travel distances, 2-lane mountain roads and harsh winter travel distances, 2-lane mountain roads and harsh winter weather hinder transit system design, productivity & efficiency.weather hinder transit system design, productivity & efficiency.

Different trip planning needs – not “which” way (is best or Different trip planning needs – not “which” way (is best or preferred) but “if” any way at allpreferred) but “if” any way at all


Our ApproachOur Approach Support - communities & governing boardsSupport - communities & governing boards Benefit from staff continuity, good relationships Benefit from staff continuity, good relationships

and on-going communicationand on-going communication Solve common problem(s)Solve common problem(s) Use building block strategy, orUse building block strategy, or Series of integrated, purposeful projectsSeries of integrated, purposeful projects Identify or progressively develop useful tools, Identify or progressively develop useful tools,

and suggest future enhancementsand suggest future enhancements Seek (more) funding for next projectSeek (more) funding for next project


Evolution of Regional CoordinationEvolution of Regional Coordination

Initial Study Project (2000)Initial Study Project (2000)

Project = ~$40,000 FTA 5313(b) + $8,000 matchProject = ~$40,000 FTA 5313(b) + $8,000 match Identified Identified unseenunseen problems and barriers problems and barriers Collaboration/cooperation as means to coordinateCollaboration/cooperation as means to coordinate ““Coordination” is politically acceptable.Coordination” is politically acceptable. Formal agreements for specific purposesFormal agreements for specific purposes Fostered other projects, communication & sharingFostered other projects, communication & sharing


Non-Emergency Medical Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) StudyTransportation (NEMT) Study

Project = $200,000 State Environmental Justice + Project = $200,000 State Environmental Justice + $22,600 partner match funding$22,600 partner match funding

Define needs, gaps & resources – Define needs, gaps & resources – inclusive participationinclusive participation Develop service strategy built on local resources that Develop service strategy built on local resources that

avoids duplication and improves productivityavoids duplication and improves productivity Identify options and alternativesIdentify options and alternatives Final report with needs analysis, coordination plan, Final report with needs analysis, coordination plan,

recommendations, references, annotated bibliography recommendations, references, annotated bibliography and toolkit for other rural CA counties and toolkit for other rural CA counties (pending)(pending)


NEMT Study RecommendationsNEMT Study Recommendations

““Transit first” priorityTransit first” priority

Individual (county) coordination modelsIndividual (county) coordination models

Develop tools and improve options –Develop tools and improve options – according to local resources & prioritiesaccording to local resources & priorities

Centralize coordination in Modoc County Centralize coordination in Modoc County through Rural MMC and web-based toolsthrough Rural MMC and web-based tools


Strategies for Creative SolutionsStrategies for Creative Solutions Serve your community – create partnershipsServe your community – create partnerships Carefully define problemsCarefully define problems Reach out – attend meetings, conferences, seminars, and Reach out – attend meetings, conferences, seminars, and

training, occasionally “stepping outside” your zonetraining, occasionally “stepping outside” your zone Participate professionally; network extensivelyParticipate professionally; network extensively Pay attention; listen; ask questions; offer assistancePay attention; listen; ask questions; offer assistance Take notes; keep organized filesTake notes; keep organized files Identify peers, partners and programs, such asIdentify peers, partners and programs, such as

– ITS Peer to Peer program (P2P @ fhwa.dot.gov) ITS Peer to Peer program (P2P @ fhwa.dot.gov) – Northern CA Breast & Cervical Cancer PartnershipNorthern CA Breast & Cervical Cancer Partnership

Understand Understand fundingfunding criteriacriteria : your needs & problems : your needs & problems


Rural CA Trip PlannerRural CA Trip Planner

Project = $250,000 State Research Project = $250,000 State Research ++ $15,000 Rural Planning Assistance (total)$15,000 Rural Planning Assistance (total)

5 region demonstration – Modoc, Lassen, 5 region demonstration – Modoc, Lassen, Plumas, Inyo and Mono countiesPlumas, Inyo and Mono counties

Select, deploy and evaluate web-based toolSelect, deploy and evaluate web-based tool

CALnections.comCALnections.com


System FeaturesSystem Features

Web-based system with local “personal assistance”Web-based system with local “personal assistance”– Customer focus – user friendlyCustomer focus – user friendly– Trip planner integrating traveler information, operations Trip planner integrating traveler information, operations

management, data collection and coordination toolsmanagement, data collection and coordination tools– Connect L.A. MTA Connect L.A. MTA Trip Master, Trip Master, OR/WA OR/WA TripCheck, TripCheck, othersothers

– Participating vehicle “branding”Participating vehicle “branding”

– Integrate “flex” routes with fixed & demand-response Integrate “flex” routes with fixed & demand-response

– Interrelated modules to manage provider operationsInterrelated modules to manage provider operations

– Cost-allocation mechanism for subsidized travelCost-allocation mechanism for subsidized travel

– Affordable, scalable and transferable on county basisAffordable, scalable and transferable on county basis


Integrated Projects-in-ProcessIntegrated Projects-in-Process

Rural Technical Assistance ProjectRural Technical Assistance Project Project = $80,000 Project = $80,000 (est. value) thru (est. value) thru USDA/CTAAUSDA/CTAA Cursory needs analysis and site visitCursory needs analysis and site visit Prepare marketing and promotion plan forPrepare marketing and promotion plan for

CALnections.comCALnections.com Create logo / brand for “coordinated system”Create logo / brand for “coordinated system” Prepare business plan for Modoc MMCPrepare business plan for Modoc MMC Final reportFinal report (anticipated 2006)(anticipated 2006)


Modoc Mobility Management CenterModoc Mobility Management Center

Project = $120,000 FTA Office of Mobility Project = $120,000 FTA Office of Mobility Innovation + $30,000 LTF fundingInnovation + $30,000 LTF funding

Establish Establish virtual and physicalvirtual and physical “one-stop” “one-stop” ITS tool enhancements to “Unite Rides”ITS tool enhancements to “Unite Rides” On-line Regional Transportation InventoryOn-line Regional Transportation Inventory

– public and private transportationpublic and private transportation– social/human service transportation providerssocial/human service transportation providers– Tribal and NEMT transportation providersTribal and NEMT transportation providers– expandable for other travel optionsexpandable for other travel options


Intercity Transportation ProjectsIntercity Transportation Projects(scalable, affordable and transferable technologies)(scalable, affordable and transferable technologies)

Current ProjectCurrent Project = $48,000 FTA 5311f cap + $12,000 LTF = $48,000 FTA 5311f cap + $12,000 LTF Technical tool enhancements for inter-operator Technical tool enhancements for inter-operator

coordination of intercity transportationcoordination of intercity transportation Customize modules for social/human service providers of Customize modules for social/human service providers of

intercity transportationintercity transportation

Proposed ProjectProposed Project = ~$48,500 FTA 5311f cap + ~$12,100 LTF = ~$48,500 FTA 5311f cap + ~$12,100 LTF ““Swipe Card” demonstration (1o vehicles) in Modoc and Swipe Card” demonstration (1o vehicles) in Modoc and

Lassen counties for electronic fare, data collection and Lassen counties for electronic fare, data collection and real-time communicationsreal-time communications

Real-timeReal-time access to intercity transit operations, SST access to intercity transit operations, SST inventory and trip coordinationinventory and trip coordination

Cost allocation enhancements – Cost allocation enhancements – pro ratapro rata cost sharing cost sharing Possibly add eligibility screening tool to systemPossibly add eligibility screening tool to system


Contact InformationContact Information

Pam Couch, Executive DirectorPam Couch, Executive Director

Modoc County Transportation CommissionModoc County Transportation Commission

Modoc Transportation Agency / Sage StageModoc Transportation Agency / Sage Stage

P.O. Box 999, Alturas CA 96101P.O. Box 999, Alturas CA 96101

(530) 233-6422 phone – (530) 233-3744 fax(530) 233-6422 phone – (530) 233-3744 fax

Email: pamcouch @ frontiernet.netEmail: pamcouch @ frontiernet.net

Documents

Creative Funding on a Rural California Frontier