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2	Session Overview Senior Transportation Planning Study Laraine Vance, DOT Planning Division Manager Roadway / Infrastructure Bob Galante, DOT Engineering Division Manager Public Transit Rebecca Gutowsky, CCT Transit Division Manager Cobb Senior Services Transportation Program Pam Breeden, Director, Cobb Senior Services Questions & Answers
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4	Background Began – Fall 2006 Ended – Summer 2007 Conducted by – Wilbur Smith Associates Managed by Cobb DOT Planning Division in coordination with Cobb Senior Services (CSS) and Cobb Community Transit (CCT)
5	Study Goal Identify innovative ways to improve accessibility and mobility for older adults living in Cobb County “by improving coordination among agencies so that services are effectively targeted and resources effectively leveraged”
6	Senior Friendly Community Improve accessibility/ mobility for older adults in Cobb County
7	Public Engagement Public Surveys Public Workshops Stakeholder Committee Information Dissemination Interviews with Community Leaders
8	What have we learned ? Geography Needs and opportunities vary by geography Both CSS and CCT service have geographic limitations Connectivity Limited connectivity between modes Only 5 of 8 Senior Facilities have access to services Constraints / Barriers Limited service in evening, late night and weekend periods Funding, Regulatory, Institutional CCT Paratransit only operates within the ADA requirements Access to fixed routes operated by CCT is limited Lack of Information Information dissemination Community outreach Community education
9	Opportunities Increase options for services Enhance and expand various modes Improve connectivity to fixed route, including MARTA Identify solutions based on a “family of services” approach, tailored to geographic needs of the County Incorporate volunteer solutions Increase Community Access to Services Broaden and improve external communication
10	Program Benefits Improved Mobility Seniors Non-seniors “Universal Access” for everyone Expanded Coordination / Partnerships Increase funding base Effective use of existing resources Identify other opportunities
11	How do we get there? Three tiered approach Incremental program development and implementation over time
12	Implementation Strategy
13	Consultant Recommendation - Tier 1 Establish Infrastructure Establish a Mobility Action Council Hire Dedicated Mobility Staff Develop Formal Agreements between CCT & CSS Initiate service-related improvements Joint marketing Shared driver training Shared travel training
14	Consultant Recommendation - Tier 2 Intermediate Coordination Steps Expand Partnerships Create partnership with AARP Explore opportunities for vehicle sharing Expand MOU to partners / local vendors Initiate discussions with business community Expand Services Develop County-wide Volunteer Transportation Program Expand local taxi Voucher Program Coordinate with MARTA Develop flexible route service plan Coordinate with CSS to create transportation hubs at Centers
15	Partnerships Putting the Puzzle Together
16	Consultant Recommendation – Tier 3 Long Range Coordination Steps Increase Coordination / Expand Services Formalize contractual coordination arrangements Volunteer transportation program Travel training program New CCT service with deviated or demand-response operation Continue formalized marketing and Community Education programs Explore Other Mobility Options Carpools / vanpools Parking coordination
17	Financial Plan Maintain/re-evaluate existing funds Public Transportation Human Service Local funds Maximize federal funding opportunities Transportation Aging Build partnerships Public Sector Private Sector
18	Program Funding Costs Estimates
19	Current Status July 17, 2007 – Study findings presented to Cobb County Board of Commissioners (BOC) July 31, 2007 - Study was accepted by the BOC August 14, 2007 – BOC approved Tier 1 funding
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21	The Challenge
22	Roadway / Infrastructure Design Features Traffic Operations Pedestrian Access / Signalization Safety Issues
23	Design Features Improve lighting at intersections Reduce intersection skew angle Offset left turn lanes
24	Traffic Operations Reduce sign clutter Advance warning signs / street name signs Increase letter height Improve roadway delineation Traffic control at work zones
25	Pedestrian Access / Signalization Accommodate Pedestrian Walk Times Provide Countdown Signal Head Light Emitting Diodes (LED)
26	Safety Issues Monitor crash data for older driver trends Identify specific locations for potential improvements
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29	Complementary Paratransit Service Operates within a ¾ mile boundary of fixed route service. Provides curb-to-curb service. Available to individuals who, due to the nature of their disability cannot access the fixed route system.
30	Complementary Paratransit Service Individuals must be certified to participate in the program Must call a day ahead to schedule a trip Fare is twice the fixed route fare - $3.00 per one way trip
31	Reduced Fares – All Local Routes
32	Reduced Fares – All Local Routes Reduced Fares for Seniors and Disabled on All Local Routes
33	CCT Bus Features Low Floor Buses that kneel Easy to Board Wheelchair Ramp vs. Wheelchair Lift
34	Other Features CCT Buses “Talk” so if you are visually impaired you will know where you are at and when to get off the bus
35	Sidewalks to Bus Stops
36	Get on the Bus, Gus! Travel Training Independence is the Key We can teach you how to ride CCT
37	Get on the Bus, Gus! Get on the Bus, Gus began Sept. 2006 The program educates active Cobb County senior adults on how to use alternative modes of transportation
38	Get on the Bus, Gus! Get on the Bus, Gus – we can all make a difference and have fun, too!
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40	Transportation Issues Transportation is the number one obstacle for seniors in Cobb and the region. The 2005 White House Conference on Aging concluded that older Americans must have transportation options to retain their independence. The lack of available transportation causes a severe hardship for seniors who cannot get to essential services such as medical treatment.
41	#1 Requested Service from Information/Referral Hotline
42	Issues The inability to move around in the community increases seniors’ isolation from the mainstream of life. 19.1% of all seniors 65+ in Cobb County have mobility and/or self-care limitations. Cobb Senior Services cannot meet demand due to increased transportation costs and diminished funding. The senior population in Cobb is expected to increase by 127% in the next 22 years.
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44	Gap Analysis for Demand/Response Transportation
45	Action Plan for Transportation Expand the Voucher Program for those clients seeking evening/weekend travel and out of County destinations. Explore expanding the voucher program to include all demand response clients. Initiate a collaboration to advocate for more affordable private sector transportation opportunities. Advocate for faith based initiatives in transportation. Partner with DOT to explore the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).
46	Zone Planning Currently Demand Response routes are designed around client’s requests for doctor appointments, which can be on any day or time. The majority of the trips therefore are one passenger. This system may be customer service oriented, but is fiscally inefficient and results in fewer passenger transports. Cobb will be divided in quadrants called zones. Each zone will be assigned specific days and clients will be able to request pick-ups by their home locations. Fridays will be set aside for trips that are important, but do not fit into the Zone concept This transition will require education for both the clients and their doctors. CSS will create a flyer, which will be mailed to each client and their doctor’s scheduling clerks. The Zone routes will be up and running by late January 2008. We will monitor expenditure improvements and adjust for variables.
47	Voucher Programs Social Services Block Grant- 2006 Demand response trips for seniors 60+ New Freedom Grant-2008 Demand response trips for the 60+ disabled
48	Partnerships DOT ARC Community Services Board Faith Based Community Private Sector
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50	Contact Information