FTA Transit Asset Management Guide for Small Providers Mshadoni Smith, PhD MTAP / SCOPT Winter Meeting December 3, 2015 Washington, DC

Session Overview Background on Transit Asset Management (TAM) Overview of TAM Guide for Small Providers Q&A Group Discussion Session purpose: Ensure guide is at the right level of sophistication and usability

TAM Definition and Need What is Transit Asset Management? A business model that uses the condition of assets to guide the optimal prioritization of funding at transit properties in order to keep our transit networks in a State of Good Repair (SGR) Why is it important? Estimates from the National State of Good Repair Assessment identified an $86 billion backlog in deferred maintenance and replacement needs, a backlog that continues to grow.

National TAM System Define state of good repair, including objective standards Require TAM Plans for all recipients and sub-recipients Establish SGR performance measures, recipients set targets Report data to the NTD Provide Technical assistance from FTA

FTA Rule-making Process MAP-21 Effective (2012) Informal Outreach (2012-2013) ANPRM Open for Comment (2013) NPRM Open for Comment (2015) Comment Review Final Rule Issued

TAM Guide for Small Providers Assist rural, tribal, and smaller urbanized area providers in understanding TAM requirements and developing a TAM Plan to manage assets and comply with the MAP-21 mandate and FTA Final Rule on TAM

Guiding Principles for the TAM Guide for Small Providers Streamlined: focused on assets, practices, and requirements directly applicable to small operators. Flexible: allows for tailoring to address outliers and incorporate related state-level requirements that may differ across states. Practical: provides master template for small providers to develop TAM Plans and a repository of optional strategies and tips that can be applied to increase efficiency of day-to-day efforts Principles set to guide development of the Guide. With the Guide, FTA intends to assist small providers in complying with TAM requirements while also offering concise guidance for maximizing use of critical vehicles and facilities and planning for long-term capital needs.

Approach to Guide Development MAP-21/ FTA TAM Rule 2012 FTA Asset Management Guide Best practices research State DOT input Small provider input Industry Group input FTA TAM Guide for Small Providers The Guide synthesizes input from various sources. The 2012 FTA TAM Guide, which was mentioned previously. Focus group comprised of state DOT representatives and a sampling of small providers. We will also seek input from RTAP and CTAA on the draft Guide once completed. Research on best practices and industry standards.

Guide Structure Part I Part II Primer on TAM and TAM requirements Repository of effective TAM practices Frequently Asked Questions Additional Resources Part II TAM Plan template for small providers

Guide Development Timeline Develop outline for Part I of Guide Spring 2015 Identify “focus group” participants and initiate outreach Begin drafting Part I of Guide Summer 2015 Review NPRM for consistency with Part I draft Oct-Nov 2015 Revise Part I and develop TAM Plan template Nov-Dec 2015 Engage “focus group” Dec 2015 Test content with “focus group” Jan-Feb 2015 Finalize Guide based on “focus group” input and publish Mar 2015

Questions about the Guide?

Group Discussion What areas are most important for the Guide to explain/clarify/address for you? Of the areas discussed, which are most important for your subrecipients? What do you expect to be the greatest challenge in developing a TAM Plan? Refer to your handout for specific areas currently addressed in the current Guide as a starting point for discussion. While we expect to include all of these elements, what we would like to know is where we should focus most of the effort, what sections should be the most detailed.

Group Discussion Please share some effective practices for asset management as related to: Tracking and inspecting conditions of buses Bus maintenance, overhaul, and replacement Techniques to extend bus useful life/revenue service Planning for short-term and long-term capital investment needs Local funding sources to support asset management What are some questions you’ve received on TAM that might be helpful for the Guide to address under FAQs?

Mshadoni Smith Mshadoni.Smith@dot.gov Thank you!