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Center Identification Number:  576-01

Project Title:  Public Transportation Syntheses Series (III)

Co-Principal Investigators:  

Joel Volinski, NCTR Director

813-974-9847

E-mail: volinski@cutr.usf.edu

Dennis Hinebaugh, Transit Program Director

813-974-9833

E-mail: hinebaugh@cutr.usf.edu

Institution:                             

Center for Urban Transportation Research

University of South Florida

Tampa, Florida

External Project Contact:     

Tara Bartee/FDOT

I.  Project Objective

As defined by the Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP), syntheses projects search out and assemble useful knowledge from all available sources, especially from practitioners, and report on current practices in the subject. Each synthesis is a compendium of the best knowledge available on measures found to be successful in resolving specific problems and records practices that were acceptable within the limitations of the knowledge available at the time of its preparation. The Synthesis is an immediately useful document that is tempered by the user's knowledge and experience in the particular problem area.

The NCTR/FDOT Syntheses Series will on an annual basis identify a set of low cost public transportation research projects requiring a short turn-around time so as to get the information out to the technicians in a timely manner. Approximately 4-6 projects ranging in cost from $5-$25,000 will be performed each year.

II.  Project Abstract

The syntheses series will consist of 4-6 public transportation research projects which can be completed in approximately 6 months or less, and range in cost from $5-$25,000.  Specific synthesis projects will be developed as needs arise and will be approved by the FDOT project manager on a case-by-case basis.  Projects may include but are not limited to the list below which is provided as illustration of the type of work that will be undertaken: 

1.  Best Practice Relationships Between Business and Public Transportation;

2.  Best practices of European mobility centers;

3.  Youth escorts for senior citizen public transportation mobility training;

4.  Impacts of public transportation on the health and well-being of senior citizens

5.  Regional funding of transit, “How to Think like a Region”;

6.  Developing ways to add value to public transportation use: Example – young mothers getting kids immunized;

7.  A day in the life of a transit user: How to Make a Successful Transit Trip;

III.  Task Descriptions

To be provided upon selection of syntheses projects.

IV.  Project Schedule, Milestones

Project Start Date: September 1, 2003

V.  Total Project 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.

VI.  Student Involvement

Graduate students supervised by faculty researchers will be used to perform research in synthesis topic areas.

VII.  Relationship to Other Research Projects

Summarizes other research efforts and explores current state of the art for identified topic areas.

VIII.  Technology Transfer Activities/Peer Review

Synthesis reports will be shared through the NCTR web site, FDOT, and through the USDOT office of Research and Special Programs Administration.

IX.  Potential Benefits of the Project

Public transportation professionals will have immediate access to the latest information within selected subject areas of critical concern to the industry.

X.  TRB Keywords

Public transportation, synthesis

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