Post on 11-Jan-2016
NJTIP @ RutgersEnvironmental Barrier Analysis
& Route Assessment
Louis HoffmanTraining Coordinator
Alan M. Voorhees Transportation CenterEdward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public
Policy
Voorhees Transportation Center (VTC)Voorhees Transportation Center (VTC)
• One of 17 research centers at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy at Rutgers University, New Brunswick
• Leader in the research and development of innovative transportation policy in a variety of fields including transportation equity & options for transportation disadvantaged
• NJTIP joined VTC as NJTIP @ Rutgers in January 2013, offering travel training opportunities for a diverse audience seeking independence and an improved quality of life
VTC Transportation Equity WorkVTC Transportation Equity Work
VTC five-year transportation action plan:
“Meeting the Employment Transportation Needs
of People with Disabilities in New Jersey”
http://policy.rutgers.edu/vtc/documents/TransEq.DDS_Final_Report.pdf
Plan recommendations pursued by VTC:
• NJ Find A Ride/ NJ 211 transportation information website
• Travel Concierge Pilot
• NJ County Transportation: Expanding Resources to Improve Services
• Connect to Transit Training Pilot
Getting to Work Getting to Work VTC 2010/2011 Survey FindingsVTC 2010/2011 Survey Findings
• 76% of respondents felt strongly that transportation was important for their job search
• 40% reported refusing a job offer due to travel difficulties
• 25% reported leaving a job due to travel difficulties
NJ Bike Ped Resource Center
• Research Topics Include– Complete
Streets– Pedestrain
Safety Analysis– Biking Walking
Ambassadors
DOT, NJ Bike Ped Resource Center & NJTIP
• Collaboration to use NJTIP’s strangths• In the field knowledge• Knowledge of special and
individualized needs
Process
• Literature Review• Interviews• Tabulation of variables• Testing the application
Definition
• The study of the environmental conditions along a path of travel that is done prior to initiating the teaching of any route to a person with a disability or a senior citizen. Considered in the environmental analysis are the essential features and conditions along the path of travel (e.g., presence/absence of curb ramps; timing of any pedestrian control signals and vehicular traffic signals; salient landmarks; availability and location of shelter and safe havens; types of intersections and traffic flow patterns for street crossing) that may hinder or facilitate a person’s ability to travel. Using the results of this study of the environment the travel training instructor/travel trainer can design an instructional plan and route that considers the individual’s needs, the environmental conditions, and safety (ESPA, 2003).
Litertature Reviewed
• Geographically diverse• Many fields reviewed
– Engineering – Travel Training– Transportation Advocacy– TRIS/TRB– Conference Presentations
Structured Interviews
• 11 individuals from 9 travel instruction providers
• Geographically diverse• Organizationally diverse• Best Practices• In person• Telephone
Terminology
• Environmental Analysis• Barrier Analysis• Route Check• Route Assessment • Route & Scout
Need & Timing
• Before Training• During Training• After Training
Types of Barriers
• Potential Barriers e.g.• Physical and environmental barriers
e.g.• Social Barriers e.g.
Components
• On foot• Entire path of travel• Recording of observations• Sharing with other entities
– Most popular origins and destinations for paratransit
– Agencies that have many potential riders
Intersection Analysis
• Street width• Number of lanes• Time of day• Travel control• Bends, curves, hills• Variations of intersection• Avg vehicle speed
Intersection Analysis Cont’d
• Curb ramps• Visual screens• Signal timing• Turning vehicles
Street Crossing
• Stopping safely at corners• Scanning in all directions• Responding to stimuli• Using signals• Timing • Crosswalks• Continuing to scan• Speed • Completing the crossing
Data Recording
• Notes• Checklists• Narrative
• Beneficial for the agency– Turnover– Go back and refer to the data
Staff Training
• One element• Training done in real time• With clients• Used online tools
– Lots of variability in the type and length of training
Planning & Implementation
• As close as possible to first trip• Day and time• Use of online tools
Accident and Traffic Statistics
• Use of NHTSB database• Other databases
Decision points
• A point in the path of travel where one makes a choice
Other uses for data collected
• Government– DOT– Transit– Human Services
• Advocacy• Funding
Using EBA/RA outside of travel instruction
• Other agencies• Just the Planning & Barrier Analysis
elements• As needed• Extra revenue generator• Build on natural expertise
Variable formulation
• Collected info from customer database
• Detailed notes were taken for new route checks
• Variables were used from existing lists
• Variables were suggested by outside agencies
Variables List for eChecklist
Future Plans
• Incorporate feedback from ATI conference
• New database• Incorporate this data collection tool
in customer database• Complete streets