|
The Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility defines the coordination of specialized transportation services in the following way: "Coordination is a process through which representatives of different agencies and client groups work together to achieve any one or all of the following goals: more cost-effective service delivery; increased capacity to serve unmet needs; improved quality of service; and, services which are more easily understood and accessed by riders."
Experience and research have shown that coordinating program resources for transportation services can lead to increased service availability and more cost-effective transportation services for persons with limited access and special needs. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are jointly developing a coordination resource, the Transportation Coordination Toolkit, to assist states and communities in their efforts to improve access to transportation services for persons with special mobility needs. The initial piece in the Transportation Coordination Toolkit is this guide to coordinating transportation planning for programs in DOT and HHS. However, the Departments recognize that there are over 70 federal programs in which some aspect of transportation services is an allowable use of funds. An additional document in the Transportation Coordination Toolkit will be a compilation of these Federal-funding sources, "Building Mobility Partnerships."
This guide to coordinated transportation planning addresses the information and actions necessary to coordinate the transportation resources of various programs of DOT and HHS. While each community's needs, skills, and resources will differ, leading to unique transportation service designs for each community, coordinating the resources of human service and transit agencies will usually create substantial benefits. In this document, you will find program information, advice, and encouragement for persons and agencies interested in increasing the amount and quality of transportation services provided to persons who have special transportation needs.
COMMITMENT AND EXPECTATIONS
Understanding the critical role that transportation plays in providing access to health and human services, the Secretaries of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Transportation (DOT) are committed to the maximum feasible coordination of the transportation activities of their respective grantees. Grantees are expected to work together to achieve the greatest cost-effectiveness in delivering high-quality transportation services to persons who need them. Through the Coordinating Council of Access and Mobility, HHS and DOT will continue to encourage state and local efforts to coordinate transportation services by providing technical assistance and guidance throughout their respective networks of grantees and service providers. Both Secretaries encourage all their grantees, where appropriate, to become more involved in coordinated transportation planning efforts, to meet regularly with each other, and to fully consider the needs and services offered by the others.
COORDINATION BEGINS WITH PLANNING
Better coordination between the programs of HHS and DOT that fund specialized transportation services begins with the planning process. Coordinating early in the planning phase demonstrably creates more benefits, as shown by state and local experiences. The result is enhanced and improved transportation services. This guide demonstrates how to plan coordinated transportation services, identifies Federal sources of funds for specialized transportation, and outlines the steps that should be taken to develop a coordinated planning process. Detailed information on program requirements, contacts, technical assistance resources, and other sources of information will be found separately in the Resource Guide for Coordinated Transportation Planning, which is also contained in the Transportation Coordination Toolkit. Case studies demonstrating the techniques offered here are also included in the Transportation Coordination Toolkit.
Because the individual programs of HHS and DOT were created by Congress to address the distinct needs of specific constituencies, these programs have unique purposes, regulations, funding cycles, and procedures. Understanding and operating with these differences can be a complex undertaking. Serious coordination efforts often constitute a new way of doing business, outside of the traditional programmatic boundaries of service delivery. Although challenging, these differences also present opportunities to promote creativity and develop new approaches not seen in the existing service design.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) field staff in cooperation with HHS, will work with states to monitor the progress of coordination efforts and to provide technical assistance and identify "promising" practices to publicize and disseminate as guidance. Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and state departments of transportation (DOTs) will be expected to demonstrate progress in sponsoring and coordinating planning activities for specialized transportation services. HHS and FTA will also assist HHS funded agencies to monitor progress toward coordination. For areas where progress has not been made, FTA, FHWA and HHS will work with state and local agencies to identify where barriers do exist and work to solve them.
COORDINATION REALITIES
The potential benefits from coordinating transportation services can be significant. Benefits include increased service levels, increased mobility for all consumers, better quality of service for riders, cost savings (especially on a unit cost basis), upgraded maintenance programs, better reporting and record keeping, more equitable cost sharing between participating agencies and individuals, more professional delivery of transportation services, and safer transportation services. An absence of coordinated planning processes has resulted in duplicated services, gaps in service, and greater expenditures for transportation operations.
Coordination does entail financial and political commitment, and should not be viewed as the solution for all transportation problems. It may be initially more expensive, more difficult, and more time-consuming to achieve than most agency representatives expect. Coordination may increase overall cost-effectiveness or reduce unit costs but the significant unmet need in most communities will mean that these savings may not necessarily be available for other activities.
Coordination depends on mutual trust among all parties involved, so that constant attention is necessary to maintain the relationships and ensure that all parties keep working together. Coordination is often a fluid, evolving process that requires constant reinforcement as persons and institutions change. Flexibility is the key to successful coordination in planning and in operations.
PLANNING STEPS
Recognizing the diversity of issues and resources challenging those wishing to coordinate, planning for coordination is presented through an 11-step outline in Chapter 5. Whether at the state or local level, these guidelines provide a practical tool for human services and transportation planners seeking to implement coordinated transportation services.
Using the resources described and the information provided in this guide, it is possible to plan and implement high quality services, set specific goals and objectives, consult with the broadest possible range of community interests and representatives, and monitor the services to ensure their effectiveness and quality. Coordination is a management strategy that can help you get the most cost-effective results.
|
