WTI

Modoc Rural Trip Planning Tool Concept of Operations and Literature Review

Primary Investigator Contact Information

External Project Contact(s)

Report(s)

1. Modoc Rural Trip Planning Tool Concept of Operations and Literature Review
   1. Deepu Philip, Brandy Sularz, David Kack
   2. 425509_ConOps_Final_Report.pdf
2. Modoc Rural Trip Planning Tool Concept of Operations and Literature Review
   1. Deepu Philip, Brandy Sularz, David Kack
   2. 425509_Executive_Summary.pdf

Project Objective

To develop a Concept of Operations for a rural transit trip planning tool; to conduct a review of available applications for this tool.

Project Abstract

Western Transportation Institute - Montana State University will produce for Modoc County Transportation Commission a Concept of Operations and a Literature Review for a Rural Trip Planning Tool (Rural TPT) to serve eastern California. These documents, to be completed by June 30, 2004, are being written to address the needs and concerns of the partnering regional transportation planning agencies and transit operators, who should benefit from the Rural TPT, Caltrans District 2 and Caltrans Headquarters. The documents will serve as the foundation for the Rural TPT project, to be contracted separately using funds from Caltrans Division of Research and Innovation, as described below: “Problem Statement - Rural transit providers struggle with high demand for trip planning services. The demand comes from many sources: rural residents traveling to regional medical centers for specialized health care; travelers having occasional vehicle problems or accidents causing them to leave or return to remote rural areas via public transportation; transit-dependent travelers making intercity trips for business, social or recreational purposes; and others who want to use public transportation instead of their automobiles. What’s needed is a centralized system for intercity travelers, transportation professionals and social services agencies to access information to facilitate travel using two or more transportation providers. Existing trip planning tools have been developed for metropolitan areas. Research is needed to determine what type of system(s)) will meet the needs of rural transit operators and intercity travelers. Objectives - The objectives of this project are to research available coordinated trip planning systems; select a system for testing along the eastern Sierra corridor; then test and evaluate that system. Multiple rural transit operators will use the intercity trip planning tool for intercity travel, by social service organizations, and by the general public. "Multiple" is a key word, for in rural areas trips to regional centers usually require transfers between two or more operators. The envisioned coordination will allow access to schedule, fare and trip-planning information for multiple operators such as regular fixed route service; client-based or "dial-a-ride" service; and connections to Amtrak, Greyhound, and airports” (from the Revised Project Summary, February 6, 2004).

Task Descriptions

1. Concept of Operations
   1. WTI will document a Concept of Operations (ConOps) document to provide a user-oriented description of the Rural Trip Planning Tool. The ConOps structure will be based on the Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineering (IEEE) Guide for Information Technology Concept of Operations Document. As identified in the IEEE standards, this document is meant to communicate the CONSULTANT’S understanding of the needs of the Rural Trip Planning Tool stakeholders and how the Rural TPT will operate to fulfill those needs. The intended audience for this document is the end users and developers of the system. This includes the regional transportation planning agencies, transit operators in Modoc, Lassen, Plumas, Inyo and Mono counties in California, Caltrans District 2 planning and Information Technology staff, Caltrans Headquarters staff, and the future developer.
2. Literature Review
   1. WTI will review potential computer applications that will meet the concept defined above for the Rural Trip Planning Tool. At least three potential web-based solutions for maintaining and coordinating transit information and schedules across multiple rural transit operators and transportation providers are identified.

Milestones, Dates, Schedule

Student Involvement

True

Relationship to Other Research Projects

True

Technology Transfer Activities

False

Transportation Research Board Keywords

Intelligent Transportation Systems, Rural Transit, Rural Transportation,

Partners

Modoc County Transportation Committee, Modoc County, Lassen County, Plumas County, Inyo County, Mono County, Caltrans Division of Research and Innovation, Caltrans District 2