EDAC Agenda

June 17, 2015

Page 2

give their name, address, and if appropriate, organization that they

represent. Individual issues about GRTC services should be

addressed directly to GRTC; individual issues about specialized

transportation or CARE services should be addressed directly to

MV Transit. Citizens are allowed to address items on the agenda

or other items of concern to EDAC.

Please Note: EDAC members requested to provide any

comments under agenda item IV.C.

II. PRESENTATIONS

A. Designing Roadways for the Aging Population–

(Rogerson/20 minutes) .......................................................................

Presentation by George Rogerson on the state and federal highway

design practices that are have been instituted by VDOT to make

the roadways safer for older drivers and pedestrians.

EDAC Information Item

Contact Information

Mr. George Rogerson

Policies and Procedures Section Manager

Location and Design Division, VDOT Central Office

(804) 786-8287

george.rogerson@vdot.virginia.gov

III. PRIMARY MEETING TOPICS

A. GRTC Specialized Transportation Report –

(Barham/10 minutes) ......................................................................... 6

See attached Specialized Transportation CARE Ridership Report for

2013, 2014 and 2015.

B. Announcements –

(Montgomery/Lantz 5 minutes) .........................................................

Appointment of Barbara Jacocks as Interim RRPDC Executive Director

C. EDAC Vice Chairman’s Report –

(Montgomery/10 minutes) ................................................................. –

Report of the EDAC Nominating Committee regarding the

candidates for FY 2016 EDAC Chairman and Vice Chairman. Note

that the MPO bylaws provide for action by the MPO Chairman to

appoint EDAC officers. Staff recommends EDAC action to approve

the Nominating Committee’s report and that the report be provided

to the TPO Chairman-elect for his review,

EDAC ACTION REQUESTED

EDAC Agenda

June 17, 2015

Page 3

IV. OTHER BUSINESS

A. RRPDC Transportation Director’s Report –

(Lysy/Lantz/10 minutes) .................................................................... 7- 17

1. March 12, April 2, & May 7, 2015, TPO Meeting Reports –

See attached staff report

2. June 4, 2015 TPO Meeting Report-

See attached staff report

B. TPO Ad Hoc Committee on Regional Paratransit Services

and Programs –

(Lantz/5 minutes) ............................................................................... 18– 34

Report on staff presentation to the Ad Hoc Committee on Regional

Paratransit Services and Programs on June 2, 2015. See attached

meeting summary.

C. EDAC Open Comments –

(Montgomery/3 minutes) ...................................................................

D. Articles of Interest –

(Lantz/2 minutes) ............................................................................... 35– 46

There are five articles of interest attached. Online web addresses

are provided below; live links are provided in the cover e-mail:

1. Disabled still face many transportation barriers– Pittsburgh Post-

Gazette, 5-1-15

http://tinyurl.com/k6nbye3

2. Transit Guide-Bots for Blind Passengers? – Route Fifty, 5-17-15

http://tinyurl.com/n746fnw

3. Natchez Transit Provides Service to Those in Need – Mass

Transit, 5-19-15

http://tinyurl.com/n2u66bx

4. Westmoreland County Transit Authority to consider raising bus

fare rate for paratransit participants – TribLive News – 5-27-15

http://tinyurl.com/p66ldsr

5. Seniors Worry About Future of Westmoreland Transit’s Shared

Ride Program – Mass Transit – 6-8-15

http://tinyurl.com/nj7p2jv

EDAC Agenda

June 17, 2015

Page 4

E. Future Meeting Topics –

(Lantz/2 minutes) ............................................................................... –

“New Freedom” Taxicab Fare Subsidy Program –

Report by Frank Azzalina, Director of Business Development,

Hampton Roads Transportation, Inc.

How to Access Non-emergency Medical Transportation

Services for Individuals Enrolled in Medicare –

Report by Thomas Garnett, LogistiCare Healthcare Manager.

Richmond Region Taxicab Drivers Customer Service

Training Program –

Report by Acquanetta Anderson, Lifelong Education

Development Services.

V. ADJOURNMENT

Targeted for no later than 1:35 p.m. (note there are one hour and thirty-

two minutes of scheduled meeting time). Staff recommends that EDAC

tentatively schedule to meet next on September 16, 2015.

KEL/qb

Attachments

pc: Manuel Alvarez, Jr., TPO Chairman Clinton Edwards, GRTC

Canova Peterson, TPO Chairman-Elect John Mahoney, DRPT

Nick Britton, DRPT Tim Barham, GRTC

Joe Vinsh, Crater PDC Dan Lysy, RRPDC

Mark Riblett, VDOT Chuck Gates, RRPDC

Barbara Jacocks, RRPDC Sarah Rhodes, RRPDC

Ron Svejkovsky, VDOT Dillon Massey, RRPDC

Ivan Rucker, FHWA EDAC Interested Parties

Garland Williams, GRTC Area News Media

TPO ELDERLY AND DISABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EDAC)

MEETING MINUTES

April 15, 2015

MEMBERS PRESENT REPRESENTING

Brian Montgomery, Vice-Chairman ........................................ MPO Chairman Appointee

Charles Barker .......................................................................... Senior Connections, CAAA

David Coffield ................................ Paralyzed Veterans of America, Mid-Atlantic Chapter

Dora Hall (Alternate) ......................... Capital Area Partnership Uplifting People (CAPUP)

Londella Hamilton .................................................................. Goodwill of Central Virginia

Kelly Hickok ................................................................... Resources for Independent Living

E. Yvette Jones................... City of Richmond Office of Aging, Disabilities, Volunteerism

Chris M. Lloyd ...................................... American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)

Carolyn Trimmer ................................................................................ Richmond Area ARC

MEMBERS ABSENT REPRESENTING

Gigi Amateau ............................................ United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg

Sid Del Cardayre ........................ Private, For-Profit Transportation Operator, Van Go, Inc.

Carolyn Comerford ................................................................... Senior Connections, CAAA

Sara A. Link ..................................... Greater Richmond Age Wave Initiative and Coalition

Thomas Wagstaff ............................... Capital Area Partnership Uplifting People (CAPUP)

OTHERS PRESENT REPRESENTING

Timothy Barham ................................................................................ GRTC Transit System

Dwain Cosby ....................................................................................................... GRTC/MV

Antionette Haynes .............................................................................. GRTC Transit System

Patricia S. O’Bannon ............................................... Henrico Co. Board of Supervisors and

TPO Ad Hoc Committee on Paratransit Services and Programs

Jim Hribar ............................................................................................. TNT Transportation

Judy Jarratt .......................................................................................................... LogistiCare

Thelma E. Johnson ............................................................................. GRTC Transit System

FJ McDougald ........................................................................................ Goodwill Industries

Sara Morris....................................... Greater Richmond Age Wave Initiative and Coalition

Dave Norris ............................................... United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg

Kim Rollins ......................................................................................................... GRTC/MV

Angela White ..................................................................................... GRTC Transit System

Isaac Wright ................................................................................................................ GRTC

Ron Svejkovsky ......................................................................................................... VDOT

STAFF PRESENT

Quillia Brooks Jin Lee Sarah Rhodes

Tiffany Dubinsky Dan Lysy

Ken Lantz Dillon Massey

1

EDAC Minutes

April 15, 2015

Page 2

CALL TO ORDER

EDAC Acting Chairman Brian Montgomery called the April 15 EDAC meeting to order

at 12:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the Richmond Regional Planning District

Commission (RRPDC).

INTRODUCTIONS

EDAC members and others in attendance introduced themselves and Chairman

Montgomery welcomed all present.

I. PRESENTATION

A. Report on Needs and Gaps Assessment for the Transportation

Disadvantaged –

RRPDC Intern Dillon Massey provided an overview of his work on the

report Needs & Gaps Assessment for the Transportation Disadvantaged.

Dillon noted that the study was updating a 2006 analysis of the public

transportation needs of the region’s elderly, disabled and low-income

persons. The Needs Assessment also depicted the regional distribution of

the transportation disadvantaged population, developed forecasts of future

demand levels, and provided recommendations for service improvements.

A key finding of the assessment is that 92.3% of the most transit-

dependent population resides in Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, and

Richmond. The critical transportation disadvantaged population is

estimated to be 44,000 persons, and the gap in unmet transportation needs

is estimated to be 7.5 million trips annually. Among the transportation

issues is the fact that for persons below poverty, their commuting times

and patterns do not coincide with fixed route transit service. Changes in

service quality and quantity, policies and guidelines and the built

environment are needed to address current transportation issues.

B. Year 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) and Congestion

Management Process (CMP) Update; Scope of Work Schedule and

MTP/CMP Advisory Committee –

Tiffany Dubinsky, staff project manager for the Metropolitan Transportation

Plan (MTP) and Congestion Management Process (CMP) provided an

overview of the 2040 MTP update process. She reviewed major tasks, data

requirements, public participation, and vision, goals and objectives. It was

reported that the plan will incorporate performance measures, will be

financially constrained, and include an environmental justice analysis of the

positive and negative aspects of the recommendations. The study area will

include all of the jurisdictions that comprise the PDC. The plan will have

base and forecast years of 2012 and 2040, respectively, and the CUBE

model will be used to develop travel forecasts. The on-call consultant will

provide assistance with the use of the model. The goal is to have an adopted

plan by June, 2016.

2

EDAC Minutes

April 15, 2015

Page 3

Action was taken by EDAC to appoint the following members to serve on

the MTP/CMP Advisory Committee: Brian Montgomery, Chris Lloyd, and

Sid Del Cardayre (Alternate).

II. PRIMARY MEETING TOPICS

A. GRTC Specialized Transportation Report –

GRTC Chief of Transit Operations Tim Barham introduced the new

General Manager of MV Transportation, Dwain Cosby and Customer

Service Manager, Kim Rawlings. Mr. Barham reported that specialized

transportation ridership figures are essentially flat. Tim noted that there

has been some shift in ridership from Richmond to Henrico, which could

possibly be attributed to the fare increase for Richmond “CARE Plus”

riders. Mr. Barham also noted that planned enhancements in CARE

service include the purchase of additional vehicles, institution of an

online reservation system, and travel training. Finally, Mr. Barham

indicated that the GRTC CARE Advisory Committee was seeking

additional persons for membership, and that persons interested in serving

should call or e-mail him. The next CAC meeting is slated for May.

III. ADMINISTRATION

A. Approval of April 15, 2015 EDAC Agenda –

On motion of Carolyn Comerford, seconded by David Coffield, EDAC

unanimously approved the agenda for the April 15, 2015 EDAC meeting.

B. Approval of the October 15, 2014 EDAC Minutes –

Chairman Montgomery called for action on the minutes and on motion of

Chris Lloyd, seconded by Dora Hall, EDAC unanimously approved the

minutes of the October 15, 2014 EDAC meeting as presented.

C. Public Comment Period –

There were no requests to address EDAC.

D. Announcements –

1. Bon Secours Successful Aging Forum –

Ken Lantz provided information on the Bon Secours Successful

Aging Forum. A copy of the flyer can be found on page 11 of the

agenda package.

2. Chesterfield Triad Senior Day –

Ken Lantz provided information on the Chesterfield Triad Senior Day

opportunity to learn about products, resources and services available

to older adults in the Chesterfield Area. The event is scheduled for

May 6 at Victory Tabernacle Church of God. Contact Debbie

3

EDAC Minutes

April 15, 2015

Page 4

Leidheiser, Chesterfield Senior Advocate at

leidheiserd@chesterfield.gov for additional information.

3. New Kent Outreach Council “Vendor Fair” –

Ken Lantz provided information on the New Kent Outreach Council

“Vendor Fair” opportunity to showcase outreach projects to the

community, scheduled for April 21 at the New Kent County Parks

and Recreation gym. Contact Nancy Goodman, Family Services

Specialist, at nancy.goodman@dss.virginia.gov for additional

information.

4. Annual Conference on Aging –

Ken Lantz provided information on the Annual Conference on Aging

to be held at Lynchburg College on June 2. See

http://www.lynchburg.edu/beard-center-aging/conference-aging for

additional information.

5. Human Kind Workshop –

Ken Lantz provided information on an economic empowerment

workshop hosted by Human Kind (formally Presbyterian Homes for

Family Services and Family Alliance) “Teaching to Save” held at the

Goodwill Midlothian location. Flyers were passed out at the meeting.

6. Other Announcements –

No other announcements were made.

E. EDAC Vice Chairman’s Report –

1. FY 16 EDAC Officers Nominating Committee –

Acting Chairman Brian Montgomery solicited members for the FY

2016 EDAC Officers Nominating Committee. Chris Lloyd, David

Coffield, and Yvette Jones agreed to serve on the committee. The

Committee will provide its recommendations for EDAC Chair and

Vice Chair at the next EDAC meeting.

2. Other Business –

No other business was brought forward.

III. OTHER BUSINESS

A. RRPDC Transportation Director’s Report –

1. March 12 and April 2 TPO Meeting Report –

Dan Lysy, RRPDC Director of Transportation, reported on major

items from the March 12 and April 2 TPO meeting report. The major

item from the March 12 TPO meeting was the HB 2 process and

major items from the April 2 meeting were the allocation of RSTP

and CMAQ funds, and the public participation plan. Copies of the

report will be sent to the committee with the next cancellation notice.

4

EDAC Minutes

April 15, 2015

Page 5

2. TPO Executive Committee Agenda Item 7: FTA Section 5310

Program Use of Available Grant Funds –

Ken Lantz reported on action from the April 2 TPO meeting on FTA

Section 5310 funds. In January 2015, concern was expressed on the

number of applications received and if funds were going to lapse.

Since the meeting, GRTC and Petersburg Transit submitted

applications and the funds will be used. A total of 8 applications were

received for the FTA Section 5310 program funds. Mr. Lantz noted

that funding is available to address many of the special needs

mentioned in the earlier presentation by Mr. Massey on the Needs &

Gaps Assessment for the Transportation Disadvantaged, albeit a

match is required (20 percent on capital related projects, 50 percent

on operating projects) which may contribute to agencies and

organizations not applying for the funds. Grant applications for the

next cycle should be available beginning November 1, 2015 with

applications due February 1, 2016.

3. Other Business –

No other business was brought forward.

B. TPO Ad Hoc Committee on Regional Paratransit Services and

Programs –

Ken Lantz reported on staff efforts to update the specialized

transportation needs assessment, Needs & Gaps Assessment for the

Transportation Disadvantaged.

C. EDAC Open Comments –

No comments were offered.

D. Articles of Interest –

Ken Lantz noted articles of interest included in the agenda package.

E. Future Meeting Topics –

Mr. Lantz said one topic is a presentation by VDOT staff on

accommodating seniors and person with disabilities in the design of

roadways. He said concern has been expressed as to how a visually

impaired person would negotiate a roundabout, and this topic would be

informative to the committee.

IV. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 1:35 p.m.

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Disabled still face many transportation barriers National Council on Disability’s report praises public transit, frowns on alternatives May 1, 2015 11:51 PM By Jon Schmitz / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

While progress in improving transportation for people with disabilities has been evident in the past decade, persistent

barriers remain, the National Council on Disability reported Friday.

“Much has happened in the last decade. More people with disabilities are riding public transit than ever before and yet, in

many areas, significant barriers to ground transportation for Americans with disabilities remain pervasive,” said chairman

Jeff Rosen in a statement.

The report will be formally released at an event here Monday as the national council — which advises the president,

Congress and other federal agencies on disability policy — meets in Oakland, part of a series of events marking the 25th

anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

While the report praises the gains in public transit, it singled out the nascent alternative taxi industry for failing to do

enough to accommodate disabled people.

“Taxi alternatives like Uber, SideCar, Lyft and others could open up exciting business opportunities and provide much-

needed travel options for passengers with disabilities,” said Marilyn Golden, senior policy analyst for the Disability

Rights Education and Defense Fund, authors of the report.

However, court cases and news reports “show potential customers being routinely discriminated against because of

service dogs and wheelchairs,” she said.

A synopsis of the report says: “Emerging transportation models like Uber, SideCar and Lyft have vigorously resisted

regulations typically imposed on the taxicab sector, harming the taxi industry and evading requirements that serve the

public interest, including deficits in service to people with disabilities. Uber openly claims it is not covered by the ADA.”

The report also took Amtrak to task, saying the passenger railroad “has lagged behind in meeting ADA requirements for

its stations, platforms, train cars, reservations practices and communications access.”

Lyft spokeswoman Chelsea Wilson said the company “aims to accommodate anyone in the community who needs a ride,

and many disabled individuals, who were previously underserved by existing transportation options, now actively use and

rely on Lyft as a reliable, safe and affordable way to get around.”

Attempts to obtain comment from Uber and Amtrak were unsuccessful.

Other findings as detailed in the synopsis are that ridership on traditional fixed-route buses and rails by disabled people

has grown far faster than use of specialized paratransit services like Allegheny County's ACCESS system. It said “great

gains” have been made in best practices for paratransit in on-time performance, telephone wait times, no-show policies

and eligibility standards “but they are often not implemented.”

ACCESS has seen a decline in ridership since it peaked at 2.2 million annual rides in the 1980s. The service provided 1.6

million rides to 24,400 people last year.

Executive director Karen Hoesch said this week that the shrinking ridership is evidence that more disabled people are

using regular bus and rail service because of accessibility improvements and because they have become healthier and have

more disposable income. All Port Authority buses have been accessible to people who use wheelchairs since 2003.

The council report said minimal transit service in rural and remote areas “still creates serious barriers to employment,

accessible health care and full participation in society.”

After Monday’s formal release, a panel will discuss the findings at the William Pitt Union at the University of Pittsburgh.

The event, at 9:30 a.m., will feature Robert DeLucia, founder and CEO of Star Transportation Group; Toby Fauver,

deputy secretary for multimodal transportation for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation; and Jeff Iseman,

program analyst, Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council.

First Published May 1, 2015 10:27 AM

35

Transit Guide-Bots for Blind Passengers?

By Bill Lucia May 17, 2015

An assistive robotics project is exploring how advanced technology could make it easier for people with visual

impairments to navigate cities.

A blind person is traveling on the subway. The train they’re riding on pulls into a stop, the doors open and the person

exits. Waiting there on the platform, to help guide them through the station, is a robot.

“Making a robot do that, there are some challenges, but it’s not as challenging as it used to be,” said Aaron Steinfeld after

describing the scenario involving the guide-bot during a recent interview. Steinfeld is an associate research professor at

Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute in Pittsburgh, where he specializes in human-robot interaction.

He and others at the university are working on a project that aims to incorporate robots, smartphones, mobile applications

and crowdsourced information into a system that can help blind people navigate complicated and unfamiliar urban

environments, such as transit stations.

“If you have a disability, it can be rather difficult to just get up and go somewhere because of the planning and the

information that you need at your disposal,” Steinfeld said. “That’s where information technology and assistive robot

systems could really shine.”

Though it is not the only challenge blind people and others with limited vision face when moving around in big cities,

navigating a subway system can among the toughest, especially for those who don't do it often. The robotics research

taking place at Carnegie Mellon is just one example of how technologists, nonprofits and transit agencies are looking for

ways to make that experience easier.

Before Bots, Beacons

While the guide-bot research is still in its early stages, a different effort with a similar goal is unfolding in Washington,

D.C. If it goes according to plan, there could be new devices to help blind people find their way through Metrorail stations

before the end of summer.

A nonprofit group, Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind, or CLB, is pushing that project forward. It involves installing

guidance beacons in five to seven Metrorail stations. The beacons could be in place in the Gallery Place-Chinatown and

Metro Center stations by July or August, and in three to five more stops by year’s end, according to Brandon Cox, the

organization’s senior director of rehabilitation and education services.

Already in use in the London Underground and San Francisco International Airport, the beacons send information to a

person’s bluetooth enabled mobile phone about their location and surroundings as they move through a space.

“Basically you get within 20 feet of a beacon and it will either send you a text message, or an audio message, whatever

you decide,” Cox said. “It tells you whatever you’re near."

The beacons will be positioned along routes described in audio files posted in an online database. So, ultimately, a person

should be able to walk through a Metro station, listening to a route description on their smartphone, while getting an alert

that they’ve reached a certain point as they pass each beacon.

According to 2010 U.S. Census Bureau figures, two million Americans were blind or unable to see and 8.1 million had

difficulty seeing newsprint even when wearing glasses or contacts.

There’s no readily available data for how many of these people ride subway trains each year. But Chris Danielsen, public

relations director for the National Federation of the Blind, pointed out that mass transportation can be critical for the blind

because they cannot drive.

136

“Public transit is obviously extremely important to blind people where it’s available,” he said.

“We don’t always demand that the most cutting-edge technology be used,” Danielsen added. “But we do demand a certain

level of accessibility.”

‘It’s Overwhelming at Times’

Brenda Loughrey lost her vision at the age of six in an accident.

She now works with the Pathfinder School in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, teaching visually impaired school-age students

how to use technology, such as keyboards, digital books, wayfinders and global positioning systems.

Opening a large dataset is good but more is better—and other rules of thumb.

Though she is not a frequent subway rider, Loughrey has traveled widely for her work.

“All my adult travel years, I’ve been totally blind,” she said. “And I’ve traveled a lot. My first dog and I were in 38 states,

many cities in some of those states, in one year.”

Referring to the instances when she has used subways, Loughrey said: “It’s overwhelming at times.”

“You’re down in there, and everybody’s moving different directions, and you’re trying to stop somebody who’s in a hurry

to ask them for directions,” she explained. Loughrey noted that noise and the lack of cell phone reception can further

complicate attempts to get information.

While she is open to new technology to help blind people travel, Loughrey stressed that, on its own, it is not a panacea.

“We have to have so many listening skills, you have to have that cane protecting you, or know how to pay attention to

your dog and take their signals,” Loughrey said. “Even following a robot, if that comes to be, if you don’t have the ability

to watch out for things on the floor, or people in front of you, you’re not going to be able to use it.”

Steinfeld explained that the Carnegie Mellon team is not trying to build technology that encourages over-dependence on

robots. “Ideally you’d like these kinds of systems to help people learn a new route, get through an unfamiliar place that

they may only go once in their life,” he said. “For example, if they’re visiting someone or traveling.”

A systems-based approach is central to the work taking place at Carnegie Mellon. The researchers there are not only

exploring the idea of a robot that can act like a guide dog. In fact, there’s another robot that they’re experimenting with

first, which has arms, and cameras in its hands, and is envisioned as station agent of sorts that could assist blind travelers.

At left, Baxter, the "humanoid" robot. (Image courtesy Carnegie

Mellon University)

Called Baxter, the “humanoid” robot is commercially available. With two arms and a computer screen for a face, it is

designed for applications like machine-tending and packaging, and can retail for $25,000. Steinfeld said the research team

is looking at ways it could prove useful for helping a blind person identify items they are holding, or tracing directions for

how to get through a space onto the person’s hand to reinforce information communicated verbally.

237

Smartphones and mobile applications are also important components of the research.

For instance, an expert in blind navigation, or another trusted source, might mark-up a path through a transit station using

a smartphone app. This information would be shared not only with blind and visually impaired app-users to help them get

through the station, but also with the robots, who could factor it into the guidance they might offer.

The idea, Steinfeld said, is to design a system of robots and smartphone technology that can provide “deep local

knowledge of what’s going on in the station and in the surrounding areas around the building, so that you’re getting

appropriate information for the time and place.”

“You can do some really interesting combinations when you take a systems level approach,” he said. “You don’t want to

have just a freestanding robot, or just a smartphone.”

The principal investigator on the project is another associate research professor at Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Institute, M

Bernardine Dias.

Dias has also headed-up a project called “NavPal,” which seeks to offer a number of tools to help blind and visually

impaired people navigate in urban environments. These include a mobile app that offers audio directions, an online tool

that allows for pre-planning of indoor routes, and software for creating and editing maps of buildings.

A $978,571 National Science Foundation grant is funding the assistive robotics research. It is currently scheduled to last

through 2019 and will also look at how robots can assist blind and visually impaired people during emergency

evacuations from buildings.

The beacon project that is getting underway in Washington, D.C., will build on the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind’s

earlier work involving the city’s Metrorail system.

Last year, in collaboration with a St. Paul, Minnesota-based company, ClickAndGo Wayfinding Maps, the group

launched a website that provides 110 sets of audio directions to guide people between the Gallery Place-Chinatown

Metrorail station and nearby locations. The site also features audio descriptions of the layout and entrances of other Metro

stations as well.

The Gallery Place-Chinatown Metrorail station in

Washington, D.C. (Image via evantravels / Shutterstock.com)

People can also get the directions through the ClickAndGo Wayfinding mobile application, which became available

earlier this year. The goal is for the app to interact with the beacons once they are installed, providing additional

information as a person moves through a station.

With Innovation, There’s Some Skepticism, Too

CLB’s Cox is not quick to embrace the latest gadgets and apps designed to help the blind.

“I’m very skeptical of any kind of blind tech,” he said.

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What he likes about the beacons, and the technology that ClickAndGo provides, is that they’re not overwhelming and are

also free to use. “We also like the fact that it doesn’t teach a person how to travel, it’s basically just a map,” he said.

If the beacons prove to be successful after they are installed in the initial five to seven “demonstration” stations, Cox said

Columbia Lighthouse will press the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to put the devices in all 91 of the

system’s Metrorail stops.

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments approved a total of $250,000 for the beacon project. Of that

amount, $200,000 is from a Federal Transit Administration grant.

The money will also pay for route and stop descriptions, and high-resolution maps to aid people with low vision, for the

stops where the beacons are installed. The beacons themselves tend to cost about $35 each and run on lithium batteries,

according to Cox.

“It’s not going to be this huge investment into physical infrastructure,” he said.

While she was not referring to the work Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind is doing, Loughrey, the specialist for the

Pathfinder School in Pennsylvania, did say that it would be useful to have detailed audio descriptions online about

facilities like airports and major subway stations.

But she also acknowledged that a Baxter-style robot in a station could be useful as well, because there’s not always time

to do research on a facility beforehand.

As for the guide-bot, she said: “That would be pretty cool.”

But Loughrey also highlighted a more fundamental problem that blind people encounter when navigating cities, one that

new technology may not necessarily solve.

“The inconsistency, there’s no standard,” she said, noting that everything from floor textures demarcating dangerous

areas, to audible signals at crosswalks vary from town to town.

“A lot of people have very interesting ideas about how to make things more accessible, and some of them work

beautifully, but if you don’t live there, and aren’t familiar with them, they aren’t very helpful,” Loughrey continued. “It’s

a challenge, and almost a game, traveling right now, because you do have to really prepare, and you have to think it

through.”

“You have to have really good travel skills,” she added. “No matter how good the technology gets.”

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Bus

MS: Natchez Transit Provides Service to Those in Need

Sarah Cook On May 19, 2015

Source: The Natchez Democrat, Miss.

May 17--NATCHEZ -- Adrese White doesn't own a car.

But she never stresses about how she'll get to her 8 a.m. class at Copiah-Lincoln College, or if her 6-year-old

son will make it to school.

For two years, White has relied on the Natchez Transit System as her sole source of transportation.

"It's my most dependable form of transportation," said 35-year-old White, who is pursuing a nursing degree.

Monday through Friday, White calls the transit system at 6 a.m. and tells the operator where she lives, and

where she needs to go. By 7 a.m., a driver is waiting outside her apartment.

"They get me here on time and I don't mind riding it," she said.

White pays $3 for a one-way trip. If her son is in tow, the fare doubles to $6.

"He loves riding because he gets to ride with momma to school," White said. "He gets a kick out of it."

Some days, though, White admits the price to ride can be daunting.

If she's attending classes and taking her son to school, the total price can rise as high to $24 in a day.

And that's a price, White said, that can be difficult to afford.

The price of a regional transit system

In 1977, the City of Natchez acquired its first public transportation vehicle from the Mississippi Department of

Transportation.

Initially used to transport local elderly to the Natchez Senior Citizen Center, the transit system has since

graduated into something of a regional transportation hub.

Sabrena Bartley, executive director of the Natchez Transit System and the Natchez Senior Citizen Center,

connected the dots in 2007 to incorporate several rural communities into the transit system's service zone.

"From that, I just kind of sketched it out on a piece of paper and began talking with people from around the

state," Bartley said.

First contacting the Natchez Board of Aldermen, then the Mississippi Department of Transportation, and finally

federal representatives -- Bartley's dream of a centralized transportation hub in Natchez came to fruition on

March 23, 2014.

On that date, the ribbon was cut on the Natchez Transit System Regional Transportation Center, located at 127

Wood Ave.

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Now serving as the main source for rural, public transportation in Southwest Mississippi, the center boasts a

staff of 31 employees.

Among those employees are transit drivers, dispatchers, trip reservationists, maintenance workers, custodians

and an administrative staff.

All those employees, Bartley said, turn the wheels of the Natchez Transit System engine.

And with a large facility and a large staff comes a large budget.

To keep vehicles maintained and employees paid, Bartley said the transit system is currently working off of a

$1.6 million budget for the 2014-2015 year.

Last year's budget boasted a $6 million to construct the facility, Bartley said.

"We stay afloat through local backing and federal backing that comes through the Mississippi Department of

Transportation," Bartley said. "We also have funds generated through fare box revenue."

On average, Natchez Mayor Butch Brown said the city covers anywhere from 5 to 10 percent of the Natchez

Transit System's annual budget.

However, for 2015, the city exceeded that allotment and budgeted $189,000 for the transit system.

"It's a highly subsidized program by the Federal Transportation Administration," Brown said. "It's a real bargain

for the city and the region."

And while most costs are federally covered, Bartley said uncontrollable factors, such as fuel prices, could

greatly impact the transit system's expenses.

The transit system's smallest vehicles hold 35 gallons of fuel, while the large trolleys hold nearly 100 gallons,

Bartley said.

"We had a problem when fuel was skyrocketing and we went from maybe using $20,000 worth of fuel in one

year to $100,000 worth of fuel," Bartley said. "That strained our budget badly."

When setbacks such as high fuel costs occur, Bartley said the transit system is forced to reorganize its services.

Sometimes, that includes excluding a route, or waiting to replace an older vehicle.

"Rural transportation is not designed to be a money-making endeavor," Bartley said. "It's designed to provide a

service that's lacking in the community."

Who uses the transit system

White isn't the only Natchezian reaping the benefits of the Natchez Transit System.

Stephen Thomas, 54, gets on board several times a week to travel from his residence to Fresenius Medical Care

for dialysis treatment.

And he usually doesn't ride alone.

Tuesday, at 6:22 a.m., Thomas joined four other passengers who, like him, were using the transit system for

medical services.

"It's been good and pretty reliable," said Thomas, who has been using the transit system for approximately three

weeks.

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Tina Minor, who has been working for the transit system for four years as a driver, said she usually drives

approximately 23 people a day.

Most of her passengers, Minor said, board between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. Before she even settles into the driver's

seat, Minor said she has a good idea of where she's going.

"I usually work the north side of town, and it's mostly people going to work or getting medical treatment,"

Minor said.

Since she operates the same 10-seat bus Monday through Friday at the same time, Minor said most passengers

are no longer strangers, but familiar faces.

Some passengers, though, ride a much longer distance that exceeds Natchez City limits.

The transit system's services, Bartley said, extend as far as Jackson.

However, those trips must be planned three days in advance, and be tied to a "quality of life" issue.

"There are a large amount of people who go to Jackson for all of their medical needs," Bartley said.

And with a longer trip comes a bigger bill.

To travel to Jackson, a fee of $22 is charged for a one-way trip, which required three-day notice. For any

destination in Jefferson County, the fare is $6 and a one-day notice is required.

Residents traveling to Ferriday are charged $5 one way and also require one-day notice. Trips to Vicksburg,

Brookhaven and McComb cost $6 and require a three-day notice.

Bartley said because most of these trips are based on medical needs, discounts are made available.

"If Medicaid deems that trip necessary, then Medicaid will pay for that trip," she said.

In the past year, Bartley said a significant spike in residents using the transit system's services has occurred.

In the 2013-2014 year, Bartley said more than 71,000 one-way trips were documented.

Compared with similar-sized cities such as Vicksburg, that number is on par.

Evelyn Bumpers, executive director of NRoute -- Vicksburg's public transportation service -- said the city

typically makes 206 one-way trips a day, which adds up to 75,190 trips a year.

"The system has plans to expand its services in the upcoming fiscal year, which begins in October," Bumpers

said. "We anticipate developing tourism routes and also commuter and vanpool routes to industries in Warren

County."

Currently, Vicksburg's public transportation system boasts a $938,000 budget for the 2014-2015 year --

$662,000 less than Natchez.

They have 12 vehicles, and recently applied for 10 more through MDOT, Bumpers said.

NRoute also offers less hours of operation compared to Natchez.

After studying the system's peak hours, Bumpers said it was determined that 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through

Friday, were the best hours of operation.

The Natchez Transit System currently operates from 4 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. On Sunday,

the transit system operates 8 a.m. through 4 p.m., and only picks up pre-scheduled riders.

At any point in the day, Bartley said approximately four vehicles are en route at a given time. 3/4

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"Unless you are in New York City, you're never going to see a full bus in any rural area," said Bartley,

admitting that it's common to see a vacant bus rolling through the downtown area.

Eventually, Bartley said she would like to see a less expensive, more accessible transit system.

The Future of the transit system

If you want to board the bus, you better have cash -- and in the exact amount.

Bartley admitted that the Natchez Transit System is behind the curve when it comes to savvy payment methods.

Currently, the transit system only accepts cash payment unless advance tickets are purchased.

"We are looking to have phone apps so people can schedule their trips on their phone and can pay on their

phone," Bartley.

To make that dream a reality, Bartley said she has had several discussions with Ed Bowser, the city's

information technology director.

"We have a long way to go, but I'm excited about how far we've come," Bartley said.

The ultimate dream of the Natchez Transit System, Bartley said, is for it to be an all-inclusive facility that

services the entire Southwest region of Mississippi for a minimal cost to the rider.

Also, Bartley said she hopes to offer a bus that exclusively serves downtown Natchez for the benefit of

community members and tourists.

This vehicle, Bartley said, would operate at no cost to the passenger.

"We want to eventually expand our parking lot too, so people can park their car there and ride the transit out of

town," she said. "The major piece that is missing is the technology that links it all."

And while the Natchez Transit System offers a multitude of benefits, White admitted she hopes to someday

drive herself to class, and pick up her son from school in her own vehicle.

"Hopefully I'll be blessed to have my own vehicle really soon," White said.

Copyright 2015 - The Natchez Democrat, Miss.

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Westmoreland County Transit Authority to consider raising bus fare rate for paratransit participants

By Rich Cholodofsky Wednesday, May 27, 2015, 11:27 p.m.

Fares for senior and handicapped riders of the Westmoreland County Transit Authority paratransit system likely will increase this summer.

Executive Director Alan Blahovec said Thursday that the authority next month will consider a proposal for fare hikes for some of the longer rides offered in the subsidized program for people who use human service programs.

“The shorter trips will be the same, but they may have to change for the longer trips. That will be part of the budget,” Blahovec said. “The fare structure was designed so it pays for the program, and it hasn't been close.”

The amount of the proposed fare hikes hasn't been determined. Fares for the authority's local and commuter bus service are not expected to change.

The paratransit program provides subsidized door-to-door rides for senior, handicapped passengers and other social service program participants.

Rides for low-income residents who qualify for medical assistance are free, while seniors who travel to medical appointments pay 65 cents to travel up to 5 miles. Seniors who travel more than 30 miles for any other purpose pay $7.50 per trip.

More than 800 paratransit rides are provided every day. The paratransit program operates with a $4.8 million budget. Three local taxi companies provide the rides.

That will change on July 1.

Transit authority board members last week awarded a three-year contract to National Express Transit Co. of Cincinnati, the company that also operates the commuter bus service for the agency.

Blahovec said the move to one transportation company will improve efficiency and save money. The three-year deal with National Express will cost the authority $14.2 million.

Divvying up the service among three local taxi companies would have cost about $16.1 million, according to Blahovec.

The paratransit system has been plagued by problems since the authority took over its operation two years ago. Before, the system was operated by separate human service programs.

Passengers have complained about difficulty in scheduling rides and the times rides are offered.

Blahovec said having one service provider should resolve some of those issues.

“We should see some efficiencies. I'm hoping to see a lot of efficiencies,” he said.

National Express, which previously operated paratransit programs in central Westmoreland County, will take over the full scope of the program July 1.

It will utilize seven vehicles owned by the authority and a dozen minibuses and vans that the agency expects to purchase this year.

The company's fixed-route service, which it has operated for six years, will be up for bid next year.

Rich Cholodofsky is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-830-6293 or rcholodofsky@tribweb.com.

Copyright © 2015 — Trib Total Media

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Bus

PA: Seniors Worry About the Future of Westmoreland Transit's

Shared Ride Program

Tom Yerace On Jun 8, 2015

Source: The Valley News-Dispatch

Marionne Croake is a firm believer in the Westmoreland County Transit Authority's shared ride program but worries

about its future.

The Senior Shared Ride Program provides door-to-door transportation to senior citizens 65 and older. It is funded through

PennDOT and allows seniors to use taxi cabs at a reduced rate.

"I am desperately in need of this program," said Croake, who is in her 70s. "I am really dependent on this program."

What has Croake concerned is a change in the paratransit system consolidating it to one provider, National Express of

Cincinnati. National won a three-year contract to handle the Shared Ride Program for Westmoreland County for three

years at a cost of $14.2 million to the authority. It will start July 1.

Cutting providers

Until now, the program divided the county into thirds. Byers Taxi of Vandergrift covered the northern section of the

county, including New Kensington, Arnold and Lower Burrell. Veterans Cab of Latrobe handled Latrobe, Ligonier and

the southern end. National Express took care of the central communities such as Greensburg, Irwin and North

Huntingdon.

"They (users) shouldn't expect to see a change in the service that they get," said Alan Blahovec, transit authority executive

director. "They are still going to call our office to get a ride."

"It won't be scheduled any differently, but they may have someone different coming to pick them up, and the vehicles

picking them up will also be different," he said.

Julia Byers Martin, owner of Byers Taxi, said she has provided service under the program for about 30 years. She said she

could see the authority moving toward a one-provider system and tried to prepare for it.

"About as prepared as you can be for losing half of your income," Martin said. "I'm probably going to be laying off 10 to

12 people. I'm not sure yet."

She said some of her drivers have applied for jobs with National Express.

A local base

"We hope to have no disruption of service whatsoever. We are working very diligently toward that, " said Mike Rushin,

National Express' chief operating officer.

"We'll have three different points of services — New Kensington, Latrobe and Greensburg."

"In New Kensington, we are going to have a facility where we park all the vehicles; they will be parked indoors," he said.

"Presently, we are in the process of advertising for drivers from the New Kensington area, and we'll have a training

program for them before July 1."

He said that will be done in Latrobe. National has a facility in Greensburg.

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Rushin said operating a county-wide paratransit system is not new to National. The company runs such systems in six

locations across the country, including Colorado Springs, Colo., and Boston.

The idea is that one company will improve the system's efficiency and save money, Blahovec said. Keeping the service

divided would have cost the authority about $16.1 million, he said.

"We figure what it is expected to cost for the year, and then we come up with our fare structure, and that structure is

supposed to be able to cover the costs," Blahovec said. "But the past two years, it hasn't even come close. We've been

covering the deficit with reserves."

Expected fare hike

Blahovec said the authority budget is being prepared, and he expects there will be a different fare structure.

"I do expect it is going to have to change, but I'm not sure to what extent," Blahovec said. "The fare structure that we

come up with will still have to be approved by PennDOT. I think what we will probably end up with is a fare structure

based on the number of trips."

He said passengers probably will have to pay more for longer trips covering 10 or 15 miles.

The paratransit system had been operated by human services programs in the county until the authority took it over two

years ago. Problems soon followed as the system's clients complained about things such as trouble scheduling rides and

the times rides are available.

"My problem is with what has happened the last three years. It is a progressive constriction of the services ,and it

decreased the number of riders," Croake said.

She and her husband, Lawrence, used the system for the past eight or nine years. He is in an Indiana Township nursing

home, and she relies on the program to visit him. Overall, Croake said she uses the program for about 10 trips a week.

Croake mentioned a policy of prohibiting drivers from assisting passengers with walkers and packages as one thing that

discourages ridership. However, she said most of the Byers drivers ignored that. Blahovec said drivers are allowed to help

a passenger to his or her door but were advised to be careful because it likely meant leaving passengers in the vehicle.

"The drivers were always allowed to help. Some of them just took it to mean that they couldn't do anything," he said.

'Will call' returns

A problem Croake noted was the elimination of "will call" return pickup trips from locations across county lines. Instead

of calling and scheduling a pickup when she finished a medical appointment in Tarentum, for example, she has to

schedule a trip home in advance for two or four hours later to ensure a ride.

"The 'will call' is very good, and the elimination of it from Allegheny County was a definite hindrance to people using the

program," Croake said.

Blahovec said the "will call" service is being reinstated for people living in areas close to the county line.

"We wanted to open that up because it wasn't fair to people in Arnold and New Kensington because they live so close to

the county line," he said. "We were thinking of about a 10-mile limit."

He said some of the changes that were made were done to save money but adversely impacted ridership."(Croake's) right

because doing those things discouraged people from riding, so it had some unintended consequences, as well." Blahovec

said.

"We're all hoping that the program is better and more human," Croake said.

Tom Yerace is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-226-4675 or tyerace@tribweb.com.

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