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Center Identification Number:  527-13

Project Title:  Designing Bus Transfer Facilities for Maximum Transit Agency and Community Benefit 

Principal Investigator: 

Joel Volinski, Director – National Center for Transit Research
Phone (813) 974-9847

Email: volinski@cutr.usf.edu

Institution: 

National Center for Transit Research at CUTR
University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida

External Project Contact:

Amy Datz

850-414-4500
E-mail: amy.datz@dot.state.fl.us

I. Project Objective

The objective of this project is to develop a report that documents the positive examples of bus transfer facility development that not only are attractive and convenient for bus passengers, but also contribute to positive community development in the surrounding area and generate revenues for the transit agency

II. Project Abstract

Transit agencies around the country are trying to improve or build new transfer centers, primarily for their passengers’ convenience.  Transferring is often referred to as a deterrent to using transit and these facilities need to be designed to ensure that they are attractive and safe.  Transit transfer centers are often regarded as “undesirable neighbors”.  This report will provide transit agencies throughout the country with information that will ease the process of having transit transfer centers approved, while also enhancing the transit system’s image in the eyes of the community.   Many transit agencies are elevating the relevance of transit in their service areas by making their transfer centers true community assets.  Bus transfer facilities can accommodate other activities and facilities that contribute positively to surrounding communities, and possibly create revenue streams for the transit agency.   This report will serve as a best practices guide for future development of bus transfer facilities.

III. Task Descriptions – Research Proposed

Task 1:  A literature review will be conducted to identify any other reports or articles that have been written on this subject.  The review will be targeted to transit journals and periodicals that contain stories about new transit transfer facilities that have unique benefits for the surrounding community.

Task 2:  Project managers will target requests for information to members of listservs that CUTR maintains to help identify examples of transfer centers that add value to the community they occupy.  CUTR will also contact the major engineering and architectural firms that have designed such transit facilities to gain their insights into the process that was used.  

Task 3:  CUTR project staff will determine which five examples of transfer facilities are most reflective of being community assets, and conduct case studies on each of them.  If possible, examples of transfer facilities from different sized communities will be included among the five.

Task 4:  CUTR project staff will complete a report with pictures and design plans where available that will be accessible through the National Center for Transit Research website.  A PowerPoint presentation will be developed to share at conferences in the state and throughout the country, if requested.

V.  Student Involvement

Graduate students will play a substantial role in the literature research, identification of case studies, and data collection.  Other anticipated student participation will include assistance in the production of the PowerPoint presentation and streamed-video presentation.

VI.  Relationship to Other Research Projects

CUTR performed a fast scan of transit transfer development and its impacts on crime in surrounding areas for the Tulsa Transit Authority in 1998.  Joel Volinski also conducted a very quick (non-paid) review of transit transfer facilities that contributed to downtown redevelopment for the Rochester-Geneseo Transit Authority in 2000.  Hence, CUTR already has a good idea of candidates for the case studies.

VII. Technology Transfer Activities/Peer Review

The final report will be available on the NCTR website (www.nctr.usf.edu) in HTML and pdf formats.  The results of this project will be made available at transit conferences   such as those sponsored by the Florida Public Transportation Association, APTA, TRB and other state transit associations.  In addition, a brief presentation by the PI will be recorded and available for playback as a streaming media presentation on the NCTR website.

Peer reviewers will include a representative from one transit system in Florida and one transit system in another state that are interested in building new transfer centers.

VIII. Potential Benefits of the Project

This project is in precise accord with the theme of the National Center for Transit Research:  “to enhance the performance and relevance of public transportation and alternative forms of transportation in urban areas….dedicated to improving operating agencies’ abilities to provide their services in a manner that is more efficient, productive, and attractive to the traveling public and in a manner that adds value to the communities they serve.”  This project is designed to help transit agencies identify the steps they should take to help create greater acceptance of transit transfer facilities in their communities that will enhance the image of transit as a positive contributor to the community fabric.

IX. Appendix

1. Time Line

Project Start Date: March 24, 2003 

2. Budget

Notes: This budget does not reflect any federal participation.

The project team will include faculty, students, and secretarial and other support staff who will work directly on the project and whose costs are reflected in the direct costs of the project as listed above.

National Center for Transit Research · at the Center For Urban Transportation Research · University of South Florida · 4202 E. Fowler Ave., CUT100 · Tampa, FL 33620-5375 · (813) 974-3120 · (813) 974-5168 · www.nctr.usf.edu · Comments: webmaster@cutr.eng.usf.edu