Innovative Rural Transit Services (2011)

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8 CHAPTER TWO REVIEW OF LITERATURE AND OTHER SOURCES BACKGROUND Study efforts for this synthesis included the review of a vari- ety of sources to identify possible innovations. This included a review of pertinent literature both directly related to inno- vation as well as other publications where innovative ideas might be found. A Transportation Research Information Service search and other Internet searches were conducted, and various industry publications were reviewed. Profes- sionals in the industry were canvassed and national associa- tions were contacted. LITERATURE REVIEW The focus of the literature review was actual rural transit and rural intercity service innovations; however, other docu- ments that may not be innovation-specific were reviewed in an attempt to find additional innovative approaches. The fol- lowing sources were canvassed to identify relevant reports and other published materials: • TCRP • FTA • CTAA • American Bus Association • Easter Seals—Project ACTION • University research centers • Other peer-reviewed transit research • The consultant’s prior work on public transit innovation. In the area of organizational change and innovation, there is a wealth of general management theory and practice in the literature. In addition to the published reports, a variety of unpublished documents were reviewed. Although beyond the scope of this effort, it may be worthwhile for a reader to review the general management bibliography in TCRP Report 70 (1). TCRP Publications A primary source of literature on the subject of transit inno- vation is found in TCRP reports and syntheses, the first two of which highlight innovation. The other TCRP reports and syntheses cited focus on various aspects of rural transit and intercity service and often have examples of successful prac- tices from which innovation can be gleaned. Furthermore, the reader is directed to the bibliography, which contains other related TCRP reports that may spark ideas for a new innovative or successful practice. TCRP Report 70: Guidebook for Change and Innovation at Rural and Small Urban Transit Systems (1) This guidebook is the initial detailed TCRP research on change and innovation in the rural transit industry. It is divided into three major sections. The first section includes research on how organizations change and innovate, how they develop a culture of innovation, and how they align themselves for change. The general management theories on innovation are compared with actual results and experiences of innovative transit agencies and their managers, obtained through the project’s primary research. The comparison found many commonalities. The second part of the guide- book is a compendium of 42 different innovations, grouped into categories of productivity, efficiency, quality, funding, training, and marketing. The guidebook’s third part describes the case studies of seven truly innovative rural and small urban transit agen- cies, which are located in diverse parts of the country. This publication provides a solid starting point on innovative rural transit services. TCRP Report 99: Embracing Change in a Changing World—Case Studies Applying New Paradigms for Rural and Small Urban Transit Service Delivery (5) The case studies in TCRP Report 99 were a follow-up to the TCRP Report 70. The report examined four rural tran- sit systems recognized for their innovative characteristics. The purpose of this effort was to examine how and why these systems adapted to change and new paradigms. The new paradigms require a different way of thinking and approaching an issue or problem. Of particular interest in the research for this report was the changing rural land- scape due to urban fringe “creep” close to the rural areas. The report examines how four transit systems responded to the changes of demographics, technology, funding, service design, and other factors.

9 TCRP Synthesis 53: Operational Experiences with Flexible Transit Services (6) This synthesis documents and summarizes transit agency experiences with “flexible transit services,” including all types of hybrid services that are not pure demand-responsive (including dial-a-ride and ADA paratransit) or fixed-route services, but that fall somewhere in between those traditional service models. The report documents six types of flexible transit service: request stops, flexible route segments, route deviation, point deviation, zone routes, and demand-respon- sive connector service. A number of rural case studies are highlighted as well as a number of innovative services. TCRP Report 54: Management Toolkit for Rural and Small Urban Transportation Systems (7) The toolkit offers managers of rural and small urban transit systems a wide range of management practices and strate- gies to provide effective, customer-focused service. Under chapters with titles such as “Managing for Reliable Ser- vice,” the toolkit describes specific approaches to ensuring high-quality customer service. Some of the practices and approaches describe successful practices, whereas others are innovative, such as the Ludington, Michigan, transit system’s practice of contracting out its excess maintenance capacity, which provided new revenue that served as valu- able local matching funds. TCRP Synthesis 65: Transit Agency Participation in Medicaid Transportation Programs (8) This synthesis reviews programs and approaches to coordi- nating Medicaid transportation and rural public transit, some of which could be considered innovative, for example, Ore- gon’s model for brokering Medicaid transportation through public transit systems. In these brokerages, the selected transit systems took on the role of providing Medicaid transportation either directly or through a contract. These transit brokers are able to reduce costs due to economies of scale and the absence of the typical independent broker that acts as a “middleman.” In many of the Oregon cases, the broker is able to coordinate service with the general public and ADA riders. Furthermore, safety and quality are the same for all riders. TCRP Report 79: Effective Approaches to Meeting Rural Intercity Bus Transportation Needs (9) This TCRP report focused on a wide variety of approaches to planning, operating, and funding intercity services. Some of the identified strategies can be called innovative, whereas others are just smart practice. The report includes a step- by-step approach to meeting intercity needs, followed by a number of examples of strategies for facilities development and operation of service by both the public and private sector. Each of these project descriptions includes a background and descriptions of the projects, marketing, challenges, and costs. TCRP Report 122: Understanding How to Motivate Communities to Support and Ride Public Transportation (10) This publication focuses on outreach efforts and strate- gies designed to motivate people to ride transit. The report includes perceptions and attitudes of the public, practices in other industries, and communications strategies and promo- tional campaigns. The researchers conducted surveys of the public in three different areas based on population densities. Although the focus of this research was transit in general, many of the strategies in the report can be applied in rural areas. The study identifies a number of successful and inno- vative marketing/attitude activities in the private sector and explains how these approaches can be applied for transit, including rural transit. TCRP Report 140: A Guide for Planning and Operating Flexible Public Transportation Services (11) This report focuses on a variety of flexible services in urban and rural areas. By nature, flexible service is innovative and typically tailored for a particular area. The study includes three rural transit systems that operate flex route services (also called route deviation). Types of services are discussed, as well as most appropriate settings for the different services and results of these implementations are reviewed. Three of the 10 case studies are rural in nature; however, innovative approaches applicable for rural areas can be gleaned from both urban and rural examples. Other Reports and Articles In addition to the TCRP reports, various organizations and publications were reviewed for information on rural transit innovation, including the CTAA magazine, Project ACTION, and university research centers, as these were the primary sources for rural transit research. Beyond TCRP, there is little literature on this subject. One of the few published articles that specifically addressed rural transit innovation noted a CTAA article on the topic, which was primarily a review of TCRP Report 70 (1). The article men- tions a variety of innovations; those not already included in TCRP Report 70 are listed in chapter three.