Short Range Transit Plan 2008-2013 - Omnitrans

IBI GROUP
SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN REPORT
OMNITRANS COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONAL ASSESSMENT
& SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN
inventory annually for compliance issues and to forward such issues to cities or the County for
improvement.
Omnitrans does not improve the accessibility of stops as they exist along public right-of-way. There are
exceptions, however, at those stops that require amenities due to the high volume of use, number of
routes, and other characteristics that necessitate such treatments.
Several cities do improve bus stops through a number of means. One method is through development
agreements between the local jurisdiction and developer. Through development agreements, the
responsibility of providing an area for a bus stop or amenities lies with the developer. Another method to
improve accessibility is through street improvement programs. Street improvement programs include:
curb cuts, beautification programs, and other methods that present the opportunity to include bus stop
improvements as part of these projects. Both Omnitrans and local jurisdictions should make every effort
to mutually identify these opportunities.
Stops should conform to all applicable federal, state, and local codes and policies that ensure an
accessible path for persons using mobility devices. Omnitrans has a set of guidelines (titled Bus Stop
Design Guidelines) which was approved by the Omnitrans Board of Directors in October, 2006. These
guidelines reference the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG), and were developed with the assistance
of member agencies and Caltrans. They focus on the design aspects of bus stops including dimensions,
accessibility, amenities, and procedural practices related to bus stop placement and construction.
Omnitrans is currently working with staff members from local jurisdictions to ensure that the document is
recognized as the document for bus stop design within the Omnitrans service area.
Funding sources are available specifically for access improvements to bus stops. Every two years, the
San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) releases a call for projects which are funded
through the Transportation Development Act Article 3 funds. Projects eligible for these funds include:
sidewalk retrofits, construction of bus boarding areas at new or existing bus stop locations, and the
construction of sidewalks to new or existing bus stop locations. These funds cannot be used to purchase
or install shelters or amenities. Omnitrans has made a policy decision not to apply for these funds
directly. However, Omnitrans staff can provide the necessary information needed by city/county staff
during the application process.
Omnitrans also receives funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307 program,
known as the Urbanized Area Formula Assistance Program. FTA regulations require that a minimum of
1% of an urbanized area’s annual Section 5307 Program allocation be spent on Transit Enhancement
Projects, such as bus passenger shelters, bicycle racks on transit vehicles, transit connections to parks,
and preservation of historic transit facilities. Omnitrans uses the Transit Enhancement funds for the
planning, design, and construction of new Transcenters or renovation of existing Transcenters.
Omnitrans prepared the report, Bus Stop Design Guidelines (2006), for use by city planners, traffic
engineers, developers and other public officials for the design and placement of bus stops to facilitate
safe and effective bus operations. An overview of the key elements for consideration in the placement of
bus stops can be found in Section 6.7.
6.11 Transit Infrastructure Development Policy
Transit infrastructure pertains to the basic facilities, equipment, and installations needed to allow for the
safe operation of the transit system. Infrastructure in this sense can refer to a number of items including
bus pads (the part of the street where the bus stops), bus stop waiting areas and loading zones, bus
turnouts, and transit centers. Moreover, improvements in ITS applications and traffic control, controllers
and signals will fall under transit infrastructure in the near future.
Because Omnitrans does not have control over public right-of-way, the agency can only provide guidance
and, depending on the scope of improvement, funding for developing transit infrastructure. The local
July 11, 2007 139