Rutgers Environmental Barrier Analysis & Route Assessment Louis Hoffman Training Coordinator Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy

Voorhees Transportation Center (VTC) One of 17 research centers at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy at Rutgers University, New Brunswick Leader in the research and development of innovative transportation policy in a variety of fields including transportation equity & options for transportation disadvantaged NJTIP joined VTC as Rutgers in January 2013, offering travel training opportunities for a diverse audience seeking independence and an improved quality of life

VTC Transportation Equity Work VTC five-year transportation action plan: “Meeting the Employment Transportation Needs of People with Disabilities in New Jersey” Plan recommendations pursued by VTC: NJ Find A Ride/ NJ 211 transportation information website Travel Concierge Pilot NJ County Transportation: Expanding Resources to Improve Services Connect to Transit Training Pilot

Getting to Work VTC 2010/2011 Survey Findings Getting to Work VTC 2010/2011 Survey Findings 76% of respondents felt strongly that transportation was important for their job search 40% reported refusing a job offer due to travel difficulties 25% reported leaving a job due to travel difficulties

NJ Bike Ped Resource Center Research Topics Include –Complete Streets –Pedestrain Safety Analysis –Biking Walking Ambassadors

DOT, NJ Bike Ped Resource Center & NJTIP Collaboration to use NJTIP’s strangths In the field knowledge Knowledge of special and individualized needs

Process Literature Review Interviews Tabulation of variables Testing the application

Definition The study of the environmental conditions along a path of travel that is done prior to initiating the teaching of any route to a person with a disability or a senior citizen. Considered in the environmental analysis are the essential features and conditions along the path of travel (e.g., presence/absence of curb ramps; timing of any pedestrian control signals and vehicular traffic signals; salient landmarks; availability and location of shelter and safe havens; types of intersections and traffic flow patterns for street crossing) that may hinder or facilitate a person’s ability to travel. Using the results of this study of the environment the travel training instructor/travel trainer can design an instructional plan and route that considers the individual’s needs, the environmental conditions, and safety (ESPA, 2003).

Litertature Reviewed Geographically diverse Many fields reviewed –Engineering –Travel Training –Transportation Advocacy –TRIS/TRB –Conference Presentations

Structured Interviews 11 individuals from 9 travel instruction providers Geographically diverse Organizationally diverse Best Practices In person Telephone

Terminology Environmental Analysis Barrier Analysis Route Check Route Assessment Route & Scout

Need & Timing Before Training During Training After Training

Types of Barriers Potential Barriers e.g. Physical and environmental barriers e.g. Social Barriers e.g.

Components On foot Entire path of travel Recording of observations Sharing with other entities –Most popular origins and destinations for paratransit –Agencies that have many potential riders

Intersection Analysis Street width Number of lanes Time of day Travel control Bends, curves, hills Variations of intersection Avg vehicle speed

Intersection Analysis Cont’d Curb ramps Visual screens Signal timing Turning vehicles

Street Crossing Stopping safely at corners Scanning in all directions Responding to stimuli Using signals Timing Crosswalks Continuing to scan Speed Completing the crossing

Data Recording Notes Checklists Narrative Beneficial for the agency –Turnover –Go back and refer to the data

Staff Training One element Training done in real time With clients Used online tools –Lots of variability in the type and length of training

Planning & Implementation As close as possible to first trip Day and time Use of online tools

Accident and Traffic Statistics Use of NHTSB database Other databases

Decision points A point in the path of travel where one makes a choice

Other uses for data collected Government –DOT –Transit –Human Services Advocacy Funding

Using EBA/RA outside of travel instruction Other agencies Just the Planning & Barrier Analysis elements As needed Extra revenue generator Build on natural expertise

Variable formulation Collected info from customer database Detailed notes were taken for new route checks Variables were used from existing lists Variables were suggested by outside agencies

Variables List for eChecklist

Future Plans Incorporate feedback from ATI conference New database Incorporate this data collection tool in customer database Complete streets