HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-19-1995 - VIII-I r
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ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Action Agenda
Item No V=.._
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: December 19, 1995
SUBJECT: Approval of County Transportation Development Plan (TDP)Update
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DEPARTMENT Aging/OPT PUBLIC HEARING YES NO _x-
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ATTACHMENT(S) : INFORMATION CONTACT
TDP Update Jerry M. Passmore
(Under separate cover) TELEPHONE NUMBER
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Mebane 227-2031
Durham 688-7331
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PURPOSE: To approve the Orange County Transportation Development Plan
(TDP) Update for 1995-1999.
BACKGROUND: In order for Orange County to qualify for state and federal
funding of transportation administration and vehicle
acquisition, it must have an approved Transportation Development
Plan. The present plan expired in 1995. This year the N.C.
Department of Transportation hired a consultant, Econometrics,
Inc. , to prepare the Updated Plan with assistance from a local TDP
Steering Committee. The membership on the TDP Steering Committee
included a variety of organizations (Appendix A) including
technical support from Ray Boylston, NCDOT Public Transportation
Consultant and Slade McCalip, County Transportation Planner.
Both members are available to respond to technical questions
The TDP Update had the following goals:
(1) Evaluate the current human service agency transportation
delivery.
(2) Evaluate management alternatives, including a County
transportation department, a non-profit agency, Chapel Hill
Transit or contracted management by a private for-profit
firm.
(3) Evaluate the feasibility of developing the system into a
Section 18/9 supported general public system, including
various options for providing general public service.
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The detail plan update presented: (1) a profile of existing
transportation services and continuing needs (Chapter 2) ,
(2) recommended service and organizational alternatives (chapter
3) , (3) recommended plan for improvement and expansion of the
public focus system along with a proposed capital replacement/
expansion schedule, budget funding plan and implementation
process (Chapters 4 and 5) .
While improving current human service transportation is
important, the focus is coordinating human service trips with
public accessibility. This is reflected in the recent county
transportation program named change to O.P.T. - Orange Public
Transportation and the expanded bus stops on the public North-
South Link between Hillsborough and Chapel Hill/Carrboro.
Specific recommendations over the next four years are:
(1) additional general public services - open up Orange
Enterprise morning route to the public from Chapel Hill (esp.
court system riders) ; create general public demand-responsive
service during late mornings and early afternoon in
Hillsborough in conjunction with the Senior Center nutrition
trips; and create ridesharing program through TTA (Triangle
Transit Authority) "Buspool/Vanpool " services .
(2) additional human service agency services- provide
transportation for high-risk children to centers through
subscription routes; revise the Elderly and disabled
assistance program policies to confront the increasing demand
for service; work closely with DSS to explore opportunities
to provide transportation services for emerging welfare
programs, such as Work First. .
(3) Maintain existing management structure- Since the current
O.P.T. Program is well managed cost effectively it is
recommended that the county transportation program continue
to be administered by the Orange County Department on Aging
for the next four years. A new management structure would be
reconsidered in the preparation of the TDP Update in 1999.
Once the plan is adopted by the County Commissioners, the County
Transportation Advisory Board would undertake an annual review
of its recommendations. Changes in services (such as provision
of employment-related trips or additional childcare trips) ,
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funding, operations, vehicle utilization, agency programs and
other factors can all result in the need to amend the plan.
If changes are needed, these changes should be formally
recommended by the Transportation Advisory Board, adopted by the
County Commissioners and submitted to NCDOT.
RECObMNDATION:
Manager recommends approval and adoption of the Orange County
Transportation Development Plan Update: 1995-1999 and submission
to the N.C. Department of Transportation.
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