First-Mile, Last-Mile Connections to Transit Addison Pollock, MPA Health by Design

Health by Design Health by Design is a coalition of diverse partners working to ensure that communities throughout Indiana have neighborhoods, public spaces and transportation infrastructure that promote physical activity and healthy living. www.healthbydesignonline.org

Health by Design works at the intersection of public health and the built environment. Focus on PSE. Coalition of diverse partners. We champion built environment strategies that promote active transportation, reduce chronic diseases and associated costs, and improve our natural environment. Increase walking, biking and public transit options. Increase neighborhood, city and regional connectivity. Encourage land use decision-making that promotes public health. Reduce dependency on automobiles.

Policy, Systems, Environmental Change Model Healthy Policies Healthy Environment Healthy Behaviors Healthy People Knowledge and skills (traditional Public Health approach) + Environments = Sustainable behavior change

Health by Design works at the intersection of public health and the built environment. Focus on PSE. Coalition of diverse partners. We champion built environment strategies that promote active transportation, reduce chronic diseases and associated costs, and improve our natural environment. Increase walking, biking and public transit options. Increase neighborhood, city and regional connectivity. Encourage land use decision-making that promotes public health. Reduce dependency on automobiles.

Website: www.Indianacat.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/icat4transit ICAT partners educate on the benefits of transit and advocate for the immediate development and ongoing support of comprehensive transit options in communities across Indiana. Health by Design works at the intersection of public health and the built environment. Focus on PSE. Coalition of diverse partners. We champion built environment strategies that promote active transportation, reduce chronic diseases and associated costs, and improve our natural environment. Increase walking, biking and public transit options. Increase neighborhood, city and regional connectivity. Encourage land use decision-making that promotes public health. Reduce dependency on automobiles. Website: www.Indianacat.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/icat4transit Twitter: @ICATransit

How to bring ‘livable’ to life? Transit The Indiana GCPD is an independent state agency that advances the independence, productivity and inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of society. How to bring ‘livable’ to life? Transit Education, outreach, and engagement Workshops Statewide resource The goal of this project is to develop an understanding of how transportation options relate to livable communities and the need to ensure access to a network of pedestrian, bicycling and public transit options that meets the needs of people with disabilities and other community members.

First-Mile, Last-Mile Connections to Transit

“Every transit trip begins and ends with a walk, bike, or roll.” Photo : aplaceofsense.com Photo: flickrhivemind.net

Fixed-Route Transit Economic benefits of riding fixed-route Typically, paratransit is more expensive for both the rider and service provider (1) designating an ADA Coordinator, (2) providing notice to the public about ADA requirements, (3) establishing a grievance procedure, (4) developing internal design standards, specifications, and details, (5) assigning personnel for the development of a Transition Plan and completing it, (6) approving a schedule and budget for the Transition Plan, and (7) monitoring the progress on the implementation of the Transition Plan. Source: INDOT, 2015

Model: Fort Wayne In 2013, Citilink and Easter Seals Project Action conducted a community training to assess the ADA accessibility of its 1,800 bus stops according to PROWAG standards (update from 2004) Part of larger process for sidewalk and livability upgrades Volunteers and interns received training and materials to assess bus stops and connecting sidewalks (1) designating an ADA Coordinator, (2) providing notice to the public about ADA requirements, (3) establishing a grievance procedure, (4) developing internal design standards, specifications, and details, (5) assigning personnel for the development of a Transition Plan and completing it, (6) approving a schedule and budget for the Transition Plan, and (7) monitoring the progress on the implementation of the Transition Plan.

Workshop Goals Get advocates and decision-makers in the same room Highlight and discuss public transportation planning and policy, including FMLM Demonstrate how participants can partner together to impact policy, systems, and environmental change Uniformly replicate the Fort Wayne model and encourage volunteers oversee implementation

ADA Transition Plans Federally required Plans should accomplish these objectives: Indicate the official responsible for implementation; Identify physical obstacles in a public agency's facilities that limit the accessibility of its programs or activities; Develop internal design standards; Specify the schedule for upgrades Establish a grievance procedure. (1) designating an ADA Coordinator, (2) providing notice to the public about ADA requirements, (3) establishing a grievance procedure, (4) developing internal design standards, specifications, and details, (5) assigning personnel for the development of a Transition Plan and completing it, (6) approving a schedule and budget for the Transition Plan, and (7) monitoring the progress on the implementation of the Transition Plan.

Assessment Activity Training and group practice Components Location Pedestrian Access Intersection Access Signage Features Help establish a systems-based process for making bus stop accessibility improvements Conduct surveys and collect data on a set number of stops (not designed to formulate a checklist) Train volunteers to conduct assessments Record findings in a report with recommendations Encourage ongoing action

Pedestrian Access Is the bus stop located along a connecting sidewalk? How wide is the sidewalk? ___N/A ___ < 3’ ___ 3-5’ ___ > 5’ Are there physical barriers that reduce the sidewalk width? Are there any objects sticking out into or blocking the sidewalk?

Pedestrian Access A. B. Rank the condition of the sidewalk near the bus stop: 1 = Hazardous 2 = Bad – poor shape; not hazardous 3 = Fair 4 = Good – not perfect; no need for immediate repair 5 = Very Good – cosmetically excellent; new C.

Pedestrian Access List recommendations for better pedestrian connectivity or safety, and/or any potential traffic hazards in/ and around the bus stop Examples include high speed traffic, no visible crosswalk, etc.

Pedestrian Access Is there a stable boarding pad that connects the sidewalk and curb? Boarding pad at least 5 ft. wide and 8 ft. deep? Cars parked between the boarding pad and the bus stopping area? List any problems with the boarding pad surface

Intersection Access At each intersection corner: Curb-cuts Curb-cuts with detectable warning strips Visible crosswalk Pedestrian signal: Existing/Working or Existing/Not working Visible countdown signals – timing in seconds Pedestrians pushbuttons Audible tones OR speech Vibrating surfaces

Signage Check all features that are on each bus stop sign: Route number in plain view Non-glare finish Characters on stop signs contrast from background Information at eye-level of a person who uses a wheelchair List any problems with the signage (e.g. graffiti, stickers, tree branches blocking signage, etc.)

Features Check all that are at each stop: Seating Shelter with clear floor space for mobility aids, connected to sidewalk Trash can Bike parking, connected to sidewalk Could a person using a wheelchair maneuver into and within the shelter?

Workshop Template Partner with transit agency to select a sample of high priority stops Early promotion; include media advisory Secure attendance from engaged citizens (including riders and individuals with disabilities), transit planning department staff, local government officials, elected officials, and community group stakeholders Use information collected from assessments to pursue safety and accessibility upgrades beyond your sample stops Engage relevant local government officials and volunteers to oversee continuing action Help establish a systems-based process for making bus stop accessibility improvements Conduct surveys and collect data on a set number of stops (not designed to formulate a checklist) Train volunteers to conduct assessments Record findings in a report with recommendations Encourage ongoing action

Recommendations for Transit Agency and Other Local Government Staff Pursue funding, policy and operational solutions that can be implemented system-wide Review the entire bus stop network and create an inventory database and systems for tracking, monitoring and prioritization (append to ADA transition plan) Cost-share or align investments from the transit agency, other public entities, and private interests

Recommendations Create forms for reporting bus stop safety and accessibility deficiencies, which gives the rider a clear path for action Community advisory group to oversee ongoing implementation

Indiana Citizens’ Alliance for Transit, Questions? Addison Pollock, MPA Coordinator of the Indiana Citizens’ Alliance for Transit, Health by Design apollock@acsm.org www.healthbydesignonline.org www.indianacat.org