Below is the uncorrected machine-read text of this chapter, intended to provide our own search engines and external engines with highly rich, chapter-representative searchable text of each book. Because it is UNCORRECTED material, please consider the following text as a useful but insufficient proxy for the authoritative book pages.
5 agency or organization that wishes to initiate an adopt-a- stop program. This report found that improving community involvement often is the primary impetus for those who undertake a program. They are generally not created as ways to reduce costs. METHODOLOGY The synthesis process included a literature review, a survey of transit agencies, and telephone interviews with coordinators of seven programs selected as case examples. Professionals in the field were consulted for their input on existing adopt- a-stop programs. The literature review found numerous websites that provided detailed information about existing programs as well as a small amount of published literature. A survey was created to examine the structure of ongoing adopt-a-stop programs and their effectiveness. This survey was sent to a variety of transit systems: ones that had ongoing programs and ones that had discontinued them; small as well as large systems; and systems in both rural and urban areas. Answers to the survey were self-reported and respondents provided information to the best of their knowledge. Six of the case examples were selected from among the survey respondents to further amplify various outstanding features of adopt-a-stop programs. One agency that discontinued its adopt-a-stop program was also interviewed. REPORT ORGANIZATION The first chapter of this report describes the scope of adopt- a-stop programs and their rationale. This introduction is fol- lowed by the literature review in chapter two. Chapter three presents an analysis of the survey results and chapter four examines seven case examples. Chapter five summarizes findings and conclusions, and presents suggestions for fur- ther research. The report contains four appendices: The Survey Ques- tionnaire (Appendix A), Survey Respondents (Appendix B), Sample Applications and Agreements (Appendix C), and Adopt-A-Stop Program Websites (Appendix D). A transit station is defined as a sheltered, closed-access facil- ity that requires a fare card to enter. A transit stop is defined as an open-access site that could be sheltered, but does not require a fare card. Keeping transit stations and stops clean and attractive can consume a significant amount of an agencyâs resources. A transit systemâs stations and stops are used by many riders each day, and those individuals often leave behind news- papers, food wrappers, and other debris. The situation is made worse by trash cans that overflow, winds that drive leaves and trash into enclosed areas, patrons who spill food and drink, and vandals who damage station furniture and infrastructure. The appearance of a station or stop may be a key determi- nant of a customerâs satisfaction and sense of security. These perceptions affect the systemâs ridership. A clean, well-cared- for station is inviting to ridersâit sends the message that the system is safe and that someone is taking care of the property and keeping an eye on itâwhereas a dirty, vandalized stop or station can elicit a sense of foreboding that discourages riders. A number of transit agencies have set up programs that allow organizations and individuals to âadoptâ a transit sta- tion or stop. In return for periodically picking up litter, the adopting organizations or individuals receive recognition or incentives, such as transit passes. In some cases, they are also responsible for enhancing station and stop amenities (such as weeding flower beds), and they serve as an extra set of eyes on the property, reporting vandalism and suspicious activity. This synthesis describes how adopt-a-stop programs are being used by transit agencies; how those programs are con- ducted, publicized, funded, managed, and monitored; and what effects the programs have on community relations. Adopt-a- stop programs that have been disbanded will also be discussed. PURPOSE This synthesis aims to provide a state-of-the-practice docu- ment. Understanding the benefits of such programs and the practices used by successful programs can aid a public chapter one INTRODUCTION
