Below are the first 10 and last 10 pages of uncorrected machine-read text (when available) of this chapter, followed by the top 30 algorithmically extracted key phrases from the chapter as a whole.
Intended to provide our own search engines and external engines with highly rich, chapter-representative searchable text on the opening pages of each chapter.
Because it is UNCORRECTED material, please consider the following text as a useful but insufficient proxy for the authoritative book pages.
Do not use for reproduction, copying, pasting, or reading; exclusively for search engines.
OCR for page 2
SECTION 1
Introduction
Background
The purpose of this research is to investigate the state of ferry transit operations in North
America and to develop practitioners' guidance for the planning, marketing, operation, and
management of ferry transportation systems. The research is intended to present a uniform un-
derstanding of the status of ferries as well as options for how to approach planning and opera-
tional activities. This guidebook is intended for use by operators large and small, in publicly or
privately owned operations, for the development of ferry operations as a solution to a transporta-
tion need.
This research was developed through literature searches of previous studies, reviews of exist-
ing government and state documents, telephone interviews with a broad selection of ferry oper-
ators, in-depth case studies of eight ferry operators/ferry systems geographically dispersed across
the North American continent, and peer review of the interim documents.
The main body of this report contains the case studies and a guidebook. Two appendices pro-
vide additional information to support the work documented within the main body of the re-
port. Appendix A provides a listing of literature review sources, and Appendix B documents the
results of a survey of ferry operators that was developed and implemented in this research.
Objectives and Methodology
The overall purpose of the research reported herein was to develop guidance for selecting
water/ferry transit as the appropriate solution to an access requirement and guidance for oper-
ating ferry services.
An initial task was to develop a definition of ferry service in order to focus the practice guide-
lines. Additional tasks focused on segmenting ferry service types, identifying appropriate roles
for ferry service, and spotlighting operational practices to ensure well-operated and safe ferry
systems. The end result is a list of criteria that decisionmakers and potential ferry operators can
use to test the viability of potential services and operations.
An important output of the research is a ferry service development process work flow that out-
lines the steps necessary to take a ferry project from conception to initiation (see Figure 1-1).
3
OCR for page 3
4 Guidelines for Ferry Transportation Services
Problem Identification
Assessment of All Transit Alternatives -
Incorporation of Goals, Criteria, and Measures
Strategic Plan Process
Analysis of Ferry Alternative
Assess Economic and Determine Efficiency
Financial Impacts and Effectiveness
Go/No-Go
No-Go Decision
Decision
Go Decision
Develop Finance and Capital Plan
Select Procurement Model
Business Plan Process
Direct Operation Publicly Sponsored Contract
Select and Procure Vessels Select Contract Operator
Develop Operating Plan Develop Contract Contractor Develops
and Budget Management Plan Operating Plan for Approval
Develop Marketing Plan Develop Marketing Plan
Initiate Operations Initiate Operations
Figure 1-1. Ferry service development process.
