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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.17.22 OUTBoard PacketAGENDA ORANGE UNIFIED TRANSPORTATION BOARD Wednesday, August 17, 2022 OUTBoard Meeting – 6:30 pm WEST CAMPUS OFFICE BUILDING • LOWER LEVEL CONFERENCE ROOM 004 131 W. MARGARET LANE • HILLSBOROUGH, NORTH CAROLINA No. Page(s) Agenda Item 1. Call to Order 2. 3 – 4 Approval of Minutes July 20, 2022 OUTBoard Meeting 3. Consideration of Additions or Changes to Agenda 4. Regular OUTBoard Agenda 4.a Transit Advisory Services(TAS)/Orange County Public Transportation (OCTS Staff) This section of the agenda is addressed jointly by the OUTBoard and supplemental staff from other County departments (Aging; DSS; Housing, Human Rights and Community Development; Health; and Child Support Enforcement) to address OCPT transit services. 4.b.OCTS Administrative Updates (OCTS Staff) – Materials provided at meeting OUTBoard/TAS Action: Receive and review information, provide comments 4.c.5 – 54 Orange County Transportation Services (OCTS) – Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Paratransit Plan (Nish Trivedi) Action: Recommend BOCC approve OCTS ADA Paratransit Plan 4.d.55 – 84 OCTS – Agency Safety Plan Update (Nish Trivedi) Action: Recommend BOCC approve OCTS ASP 5. Staff Report/Updates 5.a.85 – 93 Metropolitan Planning Organization/Rural Planning Organization (MPO/RPO) and NCDOT (Nish Trivedi) Action: Receive the Update. 6. Information Items 7. Adjournment The next potential OUTBoard meeting date is September 21, 2022 Charge of the OUTBoard (Excerpt from Section I, Part C of the adopted Rules and Procedures) 1.The OUT Board is charged with advising the Board of County Commissioners on the planning and programming of transportation infrastructure improvements and other County transportation planning initiatives, as directed by the Board. 2.From time to time the OUT Board may be directed to provide input on regulations on which the Planning Board has primary statutory and local ordinance advisory duties. In such instances, the OUT Board shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Planning Board. Meetings (Excerpt from Section IV, Part C of the adopted Rules and Procedures) C.Date, Time, and Location of Regular Meetings 3.Regular meetings of the OUT Board shall be held as needed to address items that require Board action consistent with its Charge and Duties identified herein. Written Public Comments Interested persons who cannot attend the meeting in-person* are invited to provide written public comments by emailing comments to outboardstaff@orangecountync.gov no later than 3:00 p.m. on the afternoon of the meeting. Please include in the Subject line of the email the title of the agenda item applicable to your comment. Written comments can also be dropped off at the Planning Department’s offices at 131 W. Margaret Lane, 2nd floor, Hillsborough, NC during normal business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday). Please leave your comments in the drop-off box near the front counter and call (919) 245-2575 to notify staff that there has been a drop-off. Written comments will be scanned and emailed to the OUTBoard members and staff. *On occasion, some meetings may be made available for virtual viewing and/or comments, however, the public must contact staff regarding availability. D R A F T 1 MINUTES 1 ORANGE COUNTY OUTBOARD 2 JULY 20, 2022 3 REGULAR MEETING 4 5 MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Hughes (Vice-Chair), At-Large Representative; Amy Cole, At-Large Representative; 6 Randy Marshall, Bingham Township Representative; Roy Schonberg, Chapel Hill Township Representative; Jamie 7 Crandell, Eno Township Representative; David Laudicina, Cheeks Township Representative; 8 9 MEMBERS ABSENT: Joshua Mayo, At-Large Representative; Todd Jones, At-Large Representative; Tom Gray, 10 Hillsborough Township Representative; Tony Blake, At-Large Representative; 11 12 STAFF PRESENT: Nish Trivedi, Interim OCPT Director; Tom Altieri, Comprehensive Planning Supervisor; Tom Ten Eyck, 13 Land Use Planner; Tina Love, Administrative Support 14 15 16 AGENDA ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER 17 Michael Hughes called the meeting to order and quorum was established 18 19 20 AGENDA ITEM 2: APPROVAL OF MINUTES 21 MOTION by Roy Schonberg to approve the May 18, 2022, OUTBoard Minutes. Seconded by Amy Cole. 22 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 23 24 AGENDA ITEM 3: CONSIDERATION OF ADDITIONS TO AGENDA 25 26 Amy Cole asked to add a discussion and update about the MSTA for the Orange Grove Road area. 27 28 Michael Hughes asked to add a discussion about the 10 state consortium looking at the use of mileage fees and 29 gasoline tax. 30 31 32 AGENDA ITEM 4: REGULAR OUTBOARD AGENDA 33 34 AGENDA ITEM 4.A: ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION SERVICES (OCTS) – AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT 35 (ADA) PARATRANSIT PLAN - PRESENTER: NISH TRIVEDI 36 37 Nish Trivedi updated the members on the plan and let them know that the plan would be part of their August meeting 38 when they will be asked to provide final comments and to make a recommendation to the BOCC. 39 40 41 AGENDA ITEM 4.B: (OCTS) – AGENCY SAFETY PLAN UPDATE - PRESENTER: NISH TRIVEDI 42 43 Nish Trivedi updated the members on the plan and let them know that the plan would be part of their August meeting 44 when they will be asked to provide final comments and to make a recommendation to the BOCC. 45 46 AGENDA ITEM 4.C: SMALL NON-STATE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (STIP) TRANSPORTATION 47 PROJECTS- PRESENTER: NISH TRIVEDI 48 49 Nish Trivedi reviewed the item and let them know that there were 3 updates to the recent iteration of the MSTA, 50 Carrboro has updated the bike/ped plan and continues to coordinate with NCDOT to improve non-highway 51 improvements along that corridor and Jones Ferry Rd. resurfacing and other roads. 52 53 AGENDA ITEM 5: STAFF REPORTS/UPDATES 54 55 AGENDA ITEM 5A: MPO/RPO AND NCDOT UPDATES (NISH TRIVEDI) – 56 3 D R A F T 2 57 Nish Trivedi shared that the MPO had not met and there was no new information – will send the NCDOT updates to 58 the members by email. 59 60 AGENDA ITEM 6: INFORMATION ITEMS 61 62 AGENDA ITEM 6A: NC METROPOLITAN MAYORS COALITION (MMC) LETTER TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 63 64 Tom Altieri referred the OUTBoard to the information enclosed in the meeting materials 65 66 67 Tom Altieri reminded the Board that the MSTA study was completed at the school sites, Grady Brown and Cedar Ridge. 68 The study was commissioned by NCDOT and the primary client is Orange County Schools and the study has been 69 delivered to the school system. He noted that part of it had to do with classroom expansion at Cedar Ridge High 70 School and growing traffic queuing that is spilling off the campuses and onto New Grady Brown School Road as well 71 as parents that are pulling over along the side of the road. He mentioned that for many years it has been a struggle 72 with pedestrian access to the schools. Tom let the Board know that the on-site school improvements DOT recommends 73 are unfunded recommendations. He advised that he can provide these to the OUTBoard along with the pedestrian 74 counts. There were also some recommendations for short-term items that might improve safety around the schools in 75 terms of signage, pavement markings as well as a look the speed limit on New Grady Brown School Road. He also 76 advised that since Orange Grove Road is scheduled for resurfacing in 2023 that it was suggested that it would be good 77 to include getting the pavement marked and some additional signage. 78 79 Nish Trivedi informed the Board that the Town of Hillsborough is planning a study for Churton Street. 80 81 Tom Altieri noted that both the transit plan and a governance study will come forward in the fall for BOCC consideration 82 and approval. 83 84 Nish Trivedi referred to the 10 State Consortium and discussion of technology where you would pay to drive your car. 85 86 Amy Cole would like to invite BOCC Chair Renee Price to come to a future OUTBoard meeting along with Chuck 87 Edwards. 88 89 Randy Marshall noted that he is in support of adding reflectors to the center lines whenever possible when small project 90 suggestions are requested. 91 92 AGENDA ITEM 7: ADJOURNMENT 93 OUTBoard meeting was adjourned by consensus 94 95 96 97 4 ORANGE COUNTY ORANGE UNIFIED TRANSPORTATION BOARD ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: August 17, 2022 Action Agenda Item No. 4.c. SUBJECT: OCTS – ADA Paratransit Plan DEPARTMENT: Orange County Transportation Services ATTACHMENT(S): 1. 2022 Revised ADA Plan INFORMATION CONTACT: Nishith Trivedi, Interim Orange County Transportation Services Director and Transportation Planner, 919-245-2582 PURPOSE: Recommend Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approve the Orange County Transportation Services (OCTS) American Disabilities Act (ADA) Paratransit Plan update. BACKGROUND: Recent changes to the ADA Title II requires public transit agencies to extend complementary ADA-accessible transit service to eligible persons within ¾-mile of any fixed route service. In order to show compliance with this requirement, each system providing fixed-route service is required to adopt an ADA Paratransit Plan detailing all transit services as well as the eligibility certification process. With recent improvements to Orange County public transit services, OCTS staff implemented the following public process for the County’s ADA Paratransit Plan update. • May 18, 2022 - OUTBoard receives initial item and comments on its public process • July 20, 2022 – OUTBoard received revised plan and provides comments • July 21, 2022 - Friday, August 19, 2022: 30-day public comment period • August 17, 2022: OUTBoard makes recommendation on Updated 2022 ADA Paratransit Plan • September 6, 2022: BOCC conducts public hearing on Updated 2022 ADA Paratransit Plan • September or October 2022: BOCC action All public comments have been incorporated into the plan, see Appendix E, public comments received. RECOMMENDATIONS: The Staff requests the OUTBoard recommend BOCC approve the OCTS ADA Paratransit Plan. 5 6 2022 Orange County Transportation Services Orange County, NC 8/2/2022 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan 7 8 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department I. Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1 A. Orange County Transportation Services Background: .......................................................... 1 B. Legal authority and requirements ................................................................................................ 1 1. Transit Requirements of ADA ....................................................................................................... 1 C. Meeting the Requirements of the ADA Regulations ............................................................... 3 1. Reservations: ................................................................................................................................ 3 2. Fares: ............................................................................................................................................ 4 3. Service Days and Hours: ............................................................................................................... 4 4. Trip Purpose: ................................................................................................................................ 4 5. Capacity Constraints: .................................................................................................................... 4 D. OCTS Services and Population Served ......................................................................................... 5 1. General Service Details: ............................................................................................................... 5 2. Paratransit Services Currently Provided in the Area .................................................................... 6 3. Population Served ........................................................................................................................ 6 4. Rules of riding ............................................................................................................................... 7 E. Description of Current Fixed-Route System: ............................................................................ 7 II. Public Process ............................................................................................................................ 8 III. Complimentary Paratransit Service............................................................................................. 8 A. Description of Current and Complementary Paratransit Services: .................................. 8 1. Elderly and Disabled Transportation Assistance: ......................................................................... 9 2. Medicaid Transportation: ............................................................................................................. 9 3. Senior Center Transportation: ..................................................................................................... 9 4. General Public Demand-Response Transportation: ................................................................... 10 5. Fixed-Route Transportation: ...................................................................................................... 10 6. Operating and Capital Budget for Proposed ADA Paratransit Service: ...................................... 11 B. Eligibility and Appeal ..................................................................................................................... 11 1. Requirements of Transit System: ............................................................................................... 12 2. Determination of Eligibility: ....................................................................................................... 12 3. Determination of Ineligibility and Appeals: ............................................................................... 13 4. Appeal Process ........................................................................................................................... 13 C. Policies ................................................................................................................................................ 14 1. Rules of Conduct Policy .............................................................................................................. 14 9 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department 2. Visitors to the Transit System: ................................................................................................... 18 3. Personal Care Attendant/Caregiver/Companion Policy ............................................................ 18 4. Door to Door Assistance Policy .................................................................................................. 18 5. Shopping Trips ............................................................................................................................ 19 6. Trip Cancellation Policy for a Scheduled Trip ............................................................................. 19 7. No Show Policy/Procedure......................................................................................................... 19 8. Missing Trip Pattern Policy ......................................................................................................... 20 9. Pick Up and Return ..................................................................................................................... 21 10. Lift and Securement Use Policy .................................................................................................. 21 11. Visitor Policy ............................................................................................................................... 21 12. Other Assistance ........................................................................................................................ 21 13. Subscription Service Policy ......................................................................................................... 22 14. Cancellations .............................................................................................................................. 23 15. Rider suspension ........................................................................................................................ 23 IV. Appendix ................................................................................................................................. 24 A. OCTS Staff............................................................................................................................................ 24 B. Service Routes ................................................................................................................................... 25 C. Application & Verification ............................................................................................................ 27 D. Public Notice ...................................................................................................................................... 37 E. Public Comments Received .......................................................................................................... 39 F. Commissioner Resolution ............................................................................................................. 43 10 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 1 I. Introduction A. Orange County Transportation Services Background: Orange County Transportation Services (OCTS) is a separate department of the Orange County government that operates fixed-route, demand-response, Mobility-on-Demand, and subscription services throughout OCTS, for both general public and human service transportation needs. OCTS service area generally involves all areas of Orange County excluding the Chapel Hill Transit service area located in the southeastern portion of the county. The population of this service area is roughly 148,696 persons and involves both rural outlying portions of the county and more urbanized areas located along the I-40/I-85 and U.S. 70 corridors extending through the central part of the county. OCTS provides specialized demand-response, Mobility-on-Demand and subscription service to persons deemed eligible for such services within this area. OCTS fixed routes connects the service area to the other regional transit providers like Go Triangle and Piedmont Authority on Regional Transportation (PART). In the spring of 2015, OCTS expanded the general public fixed-route and other services by a total of approximately 6,560 service/revenue hours per year, a 238% increase in service/revenue hours over what is currently provided. Of these additional service hours, 5,000 service hours are purely general public fixed-route service. When fixed-route service is provided, complementary paratransit service is federally mandated by the ADA. This document shall serve as the plan for complying with ADA paratransit requirements. Orange County Public Transit uses accessible small passenger cutaway buses that are high floor with wheelchair lifts. B. Legal authority and requirements 1. Transit Requirements of ADA The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) requires that public entities that operate non- commuter fixed-route transportation services also provide complementary paratransit service for individuals whose disabilities make them unable to use the fixed-route system. In addition, public entities subject to the ADA regulations must develop and administer a process for determining if individuals who request service meet the regulatory requirements for eligibility. Essentially, the ADA requires that paratransit service be “comparable” to the fixed-route service in terms of service levels and availability. There are six (6) service criteria that are used to evaluate ADA paratransit service comparability to the fixed route. These criteria only represent the minimum service standards and can be exceeded if the local governing body so chooses. The six (6) basic criteria for determining ADA comparability to fixed-route service are as follows: 1) Availability in the same area served by fixed routes. Specifically, service must be made available to all origins and destinations within a width of ¾ of a mile on each side of each fixed route. This includes an area within ¾ of a mile radius at the end of each fixed route as well; 11 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 2 2) Available to any ADA-paratransit-eligible persons at any requested time on any particular day during which fixed-route vehicles are operating for the respective ¾-mile radius in response to a request for service made the previous day; 3) ADA paratransit fares that are no more than twice the fare that would be charged to an individual paying full fare for a trip of similar length, at a similar time of day on the fixed-route system; 4) There can be no trip restrictions or priorities based on trip purpose; 5) Service must be made available to eligible persons on a next-day basis; and 6) There can be no constraints on the amount of service that is provided to any eligible person. Specifically, there can be no operating practice that significantly limits the availability of service to ADA-paratransit-eligible individuals. ADA paratransit service must be provided to all individuals who are unable, because of their disability, to use the fixed-route system, some of the time or all of the time. The criteria for determining eligibility are also regulated by the ADA, and OCTS must have a documented process in place to determine if an individual qualifies for ADA service. It provides the general framework and approach for ending discrimination for persons with disabilities. The stated national goals of the ADA are to guarantee that persons with disabilities have equality of opportunity, a chance to fully participate in society, ability to live independently and be economically self-sufficient. The Americans with Disabilities Act regulations require Orange County, as a public entity that operates a fixed route system, to provide complementary paratransit services to individuals with disabilities (“complementary” is that service comparable to the level of service provided to individuals without disabilities who use the fixed route system). ADA regulations require the complementary paratransit service area to be within ¾ mile of the fixed-route system (see 49 CFR §37.131(a)). Per 49 CFR §37.131(g), public entities may provide complementary paratransit service to ADA paratransit individuals exceeding that required by §37.131(a). In general, the law prohibits public transit systems from denying individuals with disabilities the opportunity to use public transportation services, if the individuals are capable of using the system. It also prohibits public entities from providing services that discriminate against persons with disabilities. The ADA is an opportunity to develop programs that ensures the integration of all persons into not just the transportation system of America, but all the opportunities transportation makes possible. The goal is to ensure non-discriminatory, equitable, and safe public transportation and enhancing the social and economic quality of life for people with disabilities. Specific actions must be taken by public transit agencies to avoid discrimination. For example, the law requires that: All newly purchased or leased vehicles used in fixed-route service must accessible to persons with disabilities. 12 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 3 Public agencies that provide fixed-route public transportation service also must offer similar complementary paratransit services to individuals with disabilities who are unable to use the fixed-route system. All government owned facilities must be accessible by public transportation. This ensures people with disabilities have equal access to government programs, services, activities and all that is possible to engage in civic life. Alterations to facilities must include features to make them accessible. The regulations define minimum service characteristics that must be met for this service to be considered equivalent to the fixed route service it is intended to complement. ADA complementary paratransit standards are provided for in 49 CFR §37.123 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The Orange County public transportation program complies with all requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. C. Meeting the Requirements of the ADA Regulations Under Orange County Public Transit’s Complementary Paratransit Service Plan, the level of service provided to persons determined to be ADA eligible is similar to the Orange County Public Transit fixed- route bus service. Six service criteria are included in the regulations. The following is a description of how the County’s complementary paratransit service meets or exceeds the six service criteria and eligibility standards: 1. Service Area Orange County Public Transit service must be provided to all origins and destinations within a corridor ¾ mile on each side of the fixed route. Service beyond this area may be provided at the County’s discretion. OCTS coordinates all service areas overlap or are contiguous. Orange County Public Transit service exceeds this requirement. The transportation service area map is included below (Appendix A). ADA Paratransit service is provided to origins and destinations within the ¾ mile corridor of the fixed routes. OCTS Demand Response service provides curb to curb service in a limited scope to riders who are under served or unserved within the rural Orange County area and connects them to the fixed route service and to major destinations for goods and services. This service operates 5 days a week from 8:00am to 5:00pm along with service to and within Orange County limits. Orange County Public Transit coordinates paratransit service for persons within the Chapel Hill Transit overlap area. 2. Reservations: Next-day service must be provided for requests made the preceding day. Requests for service must be taken when administrative offices are open and during comparable normal business hours on days when administrative offices are closed if service is provided on the following day. Reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance. Next-day service is provided on Orange County Public Transit for requests made the preceding day during regular business hours Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. Reservations are taken seven days a 13 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 4 week for next-day service and can be made up to one (1) month in advance. Reservations are taken by an answering machine on days when the administrative/dispatch office is closed. 3. Fares: Fares can be no more than twice the fixed route adult fare. The fare is between $0.00 and $2.00 on Orange County Public Transit fixed routes depending on the route traveled. ADA paratransit eligible riders are charged $0.00 for ADA paratransit service. A personal care attendant (PCA) is permitted to accompany an ADA-eligible rider at no charge, and a companion may ride at the same fare charged the ADA rider only if they have the same origin and destination as the ADA-eligible rider. 4. Service Days and Hours: Days and hours of operation must be at least the same as the fixed route system. Paratransit service is provided during the same time period as the Orange County Public Transit fixed route system. Monday thru Friday service operates from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM. Sunday service is not currently provided. Like the fixed route, paratransit service is offered Monday through Friday 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Service is not provided on County observed holidays. OCTS also provides Mobility-on-Demand (MOD) services on Friday evenings 5:00 to 9:00 pm and Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. MOD is scheduled to be 5 days a week before end of 2022. 5. Trip Purpose: Trips must be accepted and handled on an equal basis. There can be no restrictions on trip purposes or prioritizing by trip type. Trips are not prioritized or restricted by trip purpose for ADA riders. 6. Capacity Constraints: Service cannot be limited because of capacity constraints. No waiting lists can be maintained, and the number of trips provided to an individual cannot be restricted. Service is not limited due to capacity constraints. Orange County Public Transit does not maintain waiting lists for ADA-eligible paratransit individuals and trips are not restricted to individuals. It is the policy of the Orange County and Orange County Public Transit to abide by all provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended, including but not limited to those stated below, in all activities, operations and relationships with—and accommodations of—employees, client- customers, and the public. The ADA requires that persons with disabilities receive the same level of service for transportation as non-disabled persons. Services that are “separate but equal” are not acceptable (i.e., all individuals using wheelchairs on one bus and everyone else on another bus). All recipients must keep federally funded equipment and facilities in good operating condition; have policies and procedures to maintain vehicles; and must maintain, in operative condition, those features of facilities, vehicles, and other capital equipment that are required to make them accessible. ADA accessibility features must be repaired promptly if they are damaged or out of order. Recipients must establish a system of regular and frequent maintenance checks of lifts and ramps sufficient to determine if they are operative. Specific transportation provisions of the ADA as amended include but are not limited to the following requirements: 14 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 5 Accessible Vehicle Availability: As required by the ADA, OCTS maintains a 100 percent accessible transit fleet to ensure that persons needing a mobility device have equivalent to our transportation services as ambulatory persons. Maintenance of Accessible Features on Vehicles: As required by the ADA, the accessible features on County vehicles are maintained to a high level, so that persons needing these features receive equivalent service to persons not needing those features. Adequate Time for Vehicle Boarding and Disembarking: As required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), OCTS provides adequate time for boarding and disembarking vehicles for persons with disabilities. Use of Portable Oxygen/Respirator Equipment: As required by the ADA, persons using the transportation service may bring a respirator, portable oxygen, and/or other life support equipment on board vehicles, as long as they do not violate the law or rules relating to the transportation of hazardous materials. All equipment must be small enough to fit into vehicles safely and without obstructing the aisle and/or block emergency exits. Service Animals: As required by the ADA any animal individually trained to work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with disabilities, including but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision or alerting individuals with impaired hearing, are accepted on County vehicles. Training in Securement, Sensitivity to Passengers: As required by the ADA, County transit operators are trained to proficiency in the use of mobility device equipment and in passenger sensitivity. This training is provided by a trained trainer within three months of employment to drive for the County. D. OCTS Services and Population Served 1. General Service Details: For demand-responsive specialized transportation services, under normal circumstances, customers ride no more than one hour to reach their desired destination, and customers are delivered to their destinations on time. All specialized demand-response services are provided within a one (1)-hour window to maximize the active fleet’s available resources. Pick-up times are up to one (1) hour before the scheduled appointment with the actual pick-up times being anytime within that hour. Return trips home are provided within a one (1)-hour window. Currently there are no capacity constraints placed on ADA-eligible users of the system for either the specialized services of the fixed-route services. For fixed-route service, reservations are taken from up to 14 days in advance of the scheduled service date until the day preceding the day of service for any trip purpose and for service from any origin to destination during the same days and times of operation and within the respective ¾-mile buffer of each respective fixed-route. Reservation service is available during the normal business hours of OCTS administrative offices, as well as during the same time as OCTS normal administrative business hours on days when the offices are closed preceding a service day. 15 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 6 Difference between ADA Paratransit and Other Types of Paratransit Services Provided by OCTS: ADA paratransit is quite different from other types of demand-response and specialized transit services provided by OCTS in that its service parameters are highly prescribed by federal regulation. ADA paratransit is required only for a narrowly defined population of individuals who are unable to use fixed- route service because of their disability, unlike OCTS Elderly and Disabled Transportation Assistance Program (EDTAP), which serves any elderly person 60 years of age or older or any individual with a disability. EDTAP-funded services also only provide transportation to medical appointments as opposed to trips for other purposes, which is required of federal regulations pertaining to ADA paratransit. ADA paratransit also requires a much higher level of service than is provided under EDTAP in terms of response time, days and hours of service, and capacity constraints. For this reason, it is generally recommended that locally operated transit systems treat these programs as two (2) distinct services. While both services may be operated using the same vehicles and drivers, certification processes and community outreach should clearly differentiate between the programs to ensure that EDTAP registrants do not expect the same level of service as ADA paratransit registrants. 2. Paratransit Services Currently Provided in the Area Orange County Public Transit as the public transit provider for Orange County is coordinates paratransit service with other 5310 or 5311 programs and with regional transit agencies Chapel Hill Transit, GoDurham, GoTriangle and Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation (PART) 3. Population Served According to recent data available from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS), Orange County’s 2020 population is estimated at 148,696. Orange County, North Carolina Ethnicity and Race Age White 76.9% Under Age 18 19.2% Black or African American 11.8% Age 18 - 34 23.5% Hispanic or Latino 8.6% Age 35 - 64 38.1% Asian 8.1% Age 65 and over 14.6% American Indian and Alaska Native 0.6% Education Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0.1% High School graduates (age 25+) 93.0% Persons of two or more races 2.6% Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) 60.8% Person's below poverty level 10.3% Mean travel time to work (workers age 16+) 23.9 min. 16 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 7 4. Rules of riding  No profanity or lewd behavior is permitted.  Eating, drinking, and smoking are not allowed in vehicles.  Firearms and hazardous and flammable materials are not allowed on the vehicles  Children under 40 pounds or 4 years of age or younger must have a certified car seat.  You may not always be picked up and dropped off immediately. The operator may have other passengers to pick up or drop off along the route to your destination. Passenger assistance OCTS operators are responsible for:  Assisting you on and off the vehicle's lift or steps.  Securing your wheelchair or scooter.  Fastening seatbelts (at request only).  Contacting dispatch staff and 911 in case of emergencies. OCTS operators are not responsible for:  Assisting passengers past the door to the building. If you need additional help, please make sure that someone is available to assist you on your trips.  Carrying groceries or packages—you must be able to carry your own packages or have a companion assist you (this includes child seats).  A maximum of three (3) grocery-size bags are allowed.  Booking and canceling trips—please call the office. E. Description of Current Fixed-Route System: OCTS operates 3 fixed routes, one circulator and two connectors in Orange County. Fixed routes operate Monday thru Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Fixed-route fares range from 0.00 dollars to 2.00 dollars based on the fixed route traveled. All the fixed-route vehicles are mobility aid accessible. 100% of OCTS’s fixed-route fleet is accessible, with at least 2 ADA- compliant wheelchair positions per bus. 100% of OCTS routes are accessible. Not all bus stops are accessible. OCTS accommodates passengers with disabilities by stopping at the nearest safe and accessible location. The Hillsborough Circulator, which serves major origins and destinations in Hillsborough with hourly headways during the hours 8:00am-5:00pm, Monday through Friday. The other fixed route, the Orange- Chapel Hill also referred to as Hill-to-Hill or Midday, serves major origins and destinations in and between Hillsborough and Chapel Hill Monday through Friday during the hours 10:00am-11:25am and 1:00pm- 2:25pm. The 10:00am-11:25am and 1:00pm-2:25pm time periods each involve the operation of one (1) wheelchair accessible vehicle (equipped with an electric wheelchair lift) that is 100% accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities traveling from Hillsborough to Chapel Hill and back. The fare for this service is $2.00 each way for the general public. OCTS also offers the Orange-Alamance Fixed Route service, connecting residents and businesses between Hillsborough and Mebane. 17 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 8 II. Public Process OCTS advertised a public meeting, 30-day public comment period, and public hearing to solicit input prior to implementing the OCTS Paratransit Plan update. A copy of the public notice is included in the appendix. The notices were be posted in all Orange County Public Transit service vehicles, at the public library, senior centers, County Hall, and on the Orange County website and social media pages. All comments and input received from the public are presented to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for final approval prior to full implementation. After the development of a draft of the plan, a 30-day public comment period was opened starting Thursday, July 21, 2022, and ending Friday, August 19, 2022 for members of the public to submit comments in response to the draft. A public meeting for the draft plan was held OCTS staff Thursday, June 30, 2022, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in Orange County North Campus, Bonnie B Davis EAC Building located at 1020 US-70 West, Hillsborough, NC 27278, at which a presentation of the draft plan was provided and public attendees were given an opportunity to ask questions and comment. A subsequent public hearing for the draft plan held on September 6, 2022, at 7:00pm at the Whitted Building located at 300 W. Tryon St, Hillsborough, NC 27278, at which time a presentation of the Updated ADA Paratransit Plan are provided and the public are given an opportunity to comment. Notices for the 30-day public comment period, public meeting and public hearing were published in the local paper, visibly posted on all OCTS vehicles, and posted on the OCTS website. Notices for the public comment period, public meeting and public hearing were also distributed to the following agencies having a potential interest in the plan and its implementation:  The Orange County Department of Social Services;  The Orange County Department on Aging;  The Orange County Department of Housing, Human Rights, and Community Development;  Alliance of Disability Advocates; and  Project Compassion. The public participation notice published in the local paper, on the Orange County website and within the OCTS vehicles. No public comments were received in response to the draft plan, and no significant issues with the draft plan’s effect on ADA paratransit service in OCTS ADA paratransit service area were raised. III. Complimentary Paratransit Service A. Description of Current and Complementary Paratransit Services: OCTS currently provides the following transportation services that involve the provision of ADA-compliant paratransit service: 18 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 9 1. Elderly and Disabled Transportation Assistance: Service is provided to persons 60 years of age or older and to persons of any age with a disability using EDTAP funding appropriated to Orange County by the State. These funds are supplemented by a local match and additional general County operating funds appropriated by the Orange County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) annually. The service is provided to medical appointments primarily located within Orange and Durham Counties and involves a fare of $3.00 each way for all patrons. This service is provided on a demand-responsive, point deviation basis in which advance reservations for pick-ups and drop-offs are made at least two (2) business days in advance and routes are structured to efficiently collect clients for a shared ride to medical-related destinations. The service currently involves the provision of door-to-door assistance by vehicle operators for persons who lack the independent ability to access the vehicle from the street, and the vehicles used to provide the service are 100% accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities. The vehicles are equipped with electric wheelchair lifts. 2. Medicaid Transportation: Through agreement with the Orange County Department of Social Services, OCTS provides door-to-door transportation to medical appointments for persons enrolled in Medicaid. These services are funded through a billing arrangement between OCTS and the Department of Social Services and are provided on a demand-responsive, point deviation basis in which advance reservations for pick-ups and drop-offs are made at least two (2) business days in advance. Pick-ups and drop-offs for Medicaid clients are intermingled with those for EDTAP clients, and routes are structured to efficiently collect clients for a shared ride to Medicaid-funded, medical-related destinations. The service currently involves the provision of door-to-door assistance by vehicle operators for persons who lack the independent ability to access the vehicle from the street, and the vehicles used to provide the service are 100% accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities. The vehicles are equipped with electric wheelchair lifts. 3. Senior Center Transportation: Through agreement with the Orange County Department on Aging, OCTS provides daily transportation (Monday-Friday) to two (2) Orange County senior centers. The service is funded using Home and Community Care Block Grant (HCCBG) funding appropriated to the Department on Aging and is provided at no cost to seniors electing to use the service. The service is provided on a subscription, point deviation basis in which standing reservations for pick-ups at residences and drop-offs at senior centers are maintained by patrons. Routes are structured to efficiently collect clients for a shared ride to the senior centers. The service currently involves the provision of door-to-door assistance by vehicle operators for persons who lack the independent ability to access the vehicle from the street. The vehicles used to provide the service are 100% accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities. The vehicles are equipped with electric wheelchair lifts. 4. Orange County North Campus Orange County recently completed construction of its North Campus facility. This facility is the new home for the County’s Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR) and the Detention Center. OCTS recently implemented a new transit bus stop at this facility as part of the Orange- Chapel Hill fixed Route service. 19 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 10 5. General Public Demand-Response Transportation: General public demand-responsive, point deviation service is provided to persons throughout Orange County who request pick-ups outside the Chapel Hill Transit service area. These services are funded using Rural Operating Assistance (ROAP) funding appropriated to Orange County by the State and supplemented by user fares and the County’s general operating fund. The service is provided for any trip purpose and involves a $12.75 fare each way. Pick-ups and drop-offs for users are intermingled with those for users of other specialized services throughout the county, and routes are structured to efficiently collect users for a shared ride, in many cases with users of other services, to any destination within the County. Advance reservations for the service are required to be made two (2) business days in advance. The service currently involves the provision of door-to-door assistance by vehicle operators for persons who lack the independent ability to access the vehicle from the street, and the vehicles used to provide the service are 100% accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities. The vehicles are equipped with electric wheelchair lifts. 6. Fixed-Route Transportation: ADA paratransit service for OCTS fixed routes is provided through a combination of separate ADA dial-a- ride complementary service and deviation of regular fixed-route vehicles for ADA-eligible scheduled pick- ups and drop-offs within ¾-mile of the fixed-route corridors served depending on which method can most efficiently and effectively be dispatched to serve the requested trip without compromising the rights of the ADA-eligible user and the timing and service integrity associated with fixed-route service. The ¾-mile buffer surrounding OPT’s existing fixed-route bus service corridors within which OPT is responsible for providing ADA paratransit service is depicted in Exhibit 4. While OPT is still responsible for providing ADA paratransit service within ¾-mile of its fixed-route bus service corridor that overlaps Chapel Hill Transit’s ¾-mile bus service corridors during the same days and hours the fixed-route service is provided, OPT does not typically receive requests to provide the service because Chapel Hill Transit provides the same service at no charge to the user. There is no fare for ADA- eligible users to take advantage of this service within ¾-mile of the Hillsborough Circulator route, and the fare is $4.00 each way to take advantage of the service within ¾-mile of the Hillsborough to Chapel Hill Shuttle (“Route 420 Midday”), which is twice the full fare for the general public for using the fixed- route portion of the service. Both the fixed-route vehicles that are dispatched to deviate for scheduled pick-ups and drop-offs and vehicles used to provide separate complementary service are 100% accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities and are equipped with electric wheelchair lifts. With the addition of the fixed-route service, complementary paratransit service is federally mandated by the ADA. For the additional deviated fixed routes, curb-to-curb service is provided for the general public, non-ADA-eligible patrons as well as ADA-eligible registrants for those requesting a deviation. The fare for a requested deviation for both are twice the general public fare as for those persons accessing the deviated fixed-route service at the fixed stop locations. The table below summarizes these services and the proposed ADA service type associated with each. Appendix B depicts the locations of these service corridors and the ¾-mile buffer surrounding the corridors within which OCTS is responsible for providing ADA paratransit service. It also depicts the areas 20 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 11 of ADA paratransit service responsibility by timeframe based on the service times indicated for each route. Service/Route Service Days Service Times ADA Service Type Fare Orange-Alamance Connector Monday-Friday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Combination of separate dial-a-ride service and fixed- route deviation $2 general public and ADA Orange-Chapel Hill Connector (Hill-to-Hill) Monday-Friday 9:30 am – 4:00 pm Combination of separate dial-a-ride service and fixed- route deviation $2 general public and ADA Hillsborough Circulator Monday-Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Combination of separate dial-a-ride service and fixed- route deviation No fare for general public or ADA passengers All OCTS ADA paratransit service are implemented and follow the same eligibility determination process. 7. Operating and Capital Budget for Proposed ADA Paratransit Service: The operating budget for proposed ADA paratransit service for the next five (5) years is below and is based on the estimation of demand explained in the previous section. Year FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 Budget $316,070 $325,552 $335,319 $345,378 $355,739 Based on the anticipated cost per year to absorb the estimated demand for ADA paratransit service and in the manner it is anticipated to be provided, no additional capital needs are foreseen as necessary. OPT vehicles used for fixed-route service that may deviate to provide service to an ADA-eligible client are ADA-accessible and equipped with lifts. OPT vehicles that may be available to provide complementary ADA service independent of fixed-route deviation that also provide other demand response services are also ADA-accessible and equipped with lifts. These vehicles are used to provide the service exerting no additional demands for capital expenses on the system than what already exists. B. Eligibility and Appeal Who is entitled to ADA Paratransit Services? There are three (3) major categories of individuals who are required to be served based upon their functional disability interacting with conditions of the service and surrounding environment:  Persons who are unable to board, ride, or disembark from accessible fixed-route vehicles as a result of their disability.  Persons who could use accessible fixed-route services, but such services are being operated using vehicles that are not fully accessible.  Persons who cannot travel to or from a bus stop because their disability prevents it. It is important to emphasize that only those persons who are prevented from using fixed-route services because of their disability are required to be served by ADA paratransit, rather than individuals who would have difficulty using fixed-route services but could, in fact, use it. Within the ADA paratransit 21 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 12 requirements, there are also provisions relating to the transportation of personal care attendants, other traveling companions, and persons visiting from other areas. 1. Requirements of Transit System: As previously noted, there are three (3) major categories of individuals who are required to be served based on their functional disability upon interacting with conditions of the service and the surrounding environment. Persons who are unable to board, ride, or disembark from accessible fixed-route vehicles as a result of their disability. This includes persons with mental or visual disabilities who cannot navigate the transit system. Persons who could use accessible fixed-route services, but such services are being operated using vehicles that are not fully accessible. This includes persons who require a lift or ramp to board a bus. Because OPT uses 100% accessible vehicles for its general public and specialized services, this category of persons is inapplicable. Persons who cannot travel to or from a bus stop because their disability prevents it. This includes persons whose path of travel between their origin or destination and the bus stop is inaccessible, such as persons who use wheelchairs but cannot get to or from the bus stop because there is no sidewalk or the sidewalk is blocked (by lack of accessible curb cuts or a barrier that reduces the width of the sidewalk to less than three (3) feet). It also includes persons whose specific disability otherwise prevents them from traveling to or from or waiting at a bus stop, such as persons whose health would be endangered by certain weather conditions during this phase of the trip. Orange Public Transportation’s ADA paratransit service eligibility application screens for functional disability in order to control service demand and reserve assistance for eligible persons who are prevented from reaching fixed-route stops due to their disability. It is important to emphasize that only those persons who are prevented from using fixed-route services because of their disability are required to be served by ADA paratransit, rather than individuals who would have difficulty using fixed-route services but could use it. A formal ADA eligibility determination process is part of federal ADA paratransit requirements. As such, OPT’s ADA eligibility application is used to determine ADA paratransit eligibility. There are also requirements for transporting personal care attendants (PCAs), other traveling companions, persons visiting from other areas on ADA paratransit, and the eligibility determination process itself. The application requires certification from a certified and/or licensed professional as to the presence of a permanent or temporary disability preventing the applicant from reaching public transportation fixed routes. The application also collects personal care attendant (PCA) information and information explaining the eligibility determination process. 2. Determination of Eligibility: A determination of whether individuals with disabilities are certified eligible for service is made by completing the attached application and submitting it to the OCTS administrative offices. Applications are taken by phone, email, fax, or in-person by OCTS staff. Applicants are required to provide verification of their disability from a certified and/or licensed professional (doctor, psychiatrist, social worker, case 22 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 13 manager, etc.), and documentation as to why they are unable to access fixed-route service must be provided. A determination of eligibility is made in these cases based on the functional ability or inability of a person to access fixed-route service and not solely on their disabled status. Applicants may be determined eligible for some trips and not others depending on circumstances, and eligibility can be temporary based on a temporary disability. ADA service may also be used as a feeder route to transport individuals to the closest public transportation route, which they can then access. Applicants are notified of their eligibility status by mail within 21 days of submitting a completed application. An eligibility decision may be full or conditional based on the day or functional ability to make trips. If applicants are not notified within the 21-day timeframe, they are presumed eligible and provided service until such time a determination is made. All applications are updated annually. Once a determination of approval is made, the registrant/passenger is added to an eligibility list and can begin scheduling trips. 3. Determination of Ineligibility and Appeals: If it is determined that a person is not eligible for ADA service, he/she is notified in writing of the reason(s) in a denial letter and are given 60 days to appeal the decision. If a request for appeal is received, OCTS must render a decision within 30 days. Services are not provided during this review process. The administrative appeals process provides the applicant the opportunity to be heard and to present information to a third party not involved in the initial determination. The County’s designated hearing/appeals officer is the OCTS Transportation Administrator, who is not involved in initial eligibility determinations. A date, time, and location for the meeting to discuss the applicant’s appeal are sent to the applicant by mail within five (5) working days of the appeal request being received. The meeting is held and a decision rendered within the required 30 days. Should a decision not be rendered within 30 days, the applicant is provided ADA service after the 30-day period until such time a decision is reached. The applicant is not provided service during the 30-day appeal period. ADA paratransit service may also be affected by a pattern of no-shows in which ADA-eligible registrants abuse the service by making reservations but not appearing to make use of the service. To avert the detrimental effects of this behavior on the effectiveness and efficiency of the service, OCTS has adopted an ADA paratransit service no-show policy. 4. Appeal Process An appeal process is established to provide an objective and unbiased process through which individuals who are denied eligibility or service can obtain a review of the denial. An individual may appeal OCTS’ decision to:  Deny paratransit service eligibility.  Grant conditional or temporary paratransit service eligibility.  Suspend or deny service due to a continuous pattern or practice of no shows or late cancels.  Suspend or deny service due to willful refusal to pay the fare.  Suspend or deny service because an individual engages in violent, seriously disruptive, or illegal conduct on a paratransit vehicle or toward a paratransit driver. 23 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 14 An appeal must be submitted within 60 days of the denial or suspension to the Orange County Transit Operations Manager by telephone at (919) 245-2008, TDD/TTY at (919) 245-2008, thru relay service, by fax at (919) 732-2137; in writing, or in person at 600 Highway 86 N, Hillsborough, NC 27278. The appellant shall identify his/her name, address, telephone number and facts supporting the appeal, including any supporting documentation. The appellant shall clearly and concisely state the grounds of the appeal. Once an appeal has been submitted, the appeal are granted, or a hearing date shall be set to provide an opportunity for the appellant to be heard and to present information and arguments to support his or her qualifications for service. The appellant are notified in writing of the date and time of the hearing within fourteen (14) business days. The hearing are held as soon as administratively possible. If necessary, OCTS will arrange for transportation at no cost for the appellant to and from the appeal hearing within the Orange County Public Transit service area. The appellant may bring a representative, advocate, or witnesses to assist with the presentation of the appeal. However, OCTS will provide transportation for the representative, advocate, or witnesses at the regular fare rate. The appeal are heard in an orderly and professional manner by the Orange County Public Transit Appeals Committee. The Committee is not involved in the initial certification process, nor does it have prior knowledge of why the appellant would be denied or suspended from Orange County Public Transit paratransit service. At the hearing, the appellant will have the opportunity to submit additional information, and written evidence and/or arguments to support his/her qualifications for service. An individual may waive the in-person hearing and proceed on the basis of a written presentation. Appellant are notified of the Committee’s decision in writing within thirty (30) days of the hearing. The written determination shall state the reasons for confirming or overturning the denial. If no decision is made within thirty (30) days after completion of the appeals process, there are a presumption of eligibility or termination of suspension unless and until a contrary decision is made. The appeal files are forwarded to the Transit Manager for safekeeping and storage. The Transit Appeals Committee decision is final. C. Policies 1. Rules of Conduct Policy It is the mission of OCTS to provide safe, reliable, convenient and efficient public transportation to the residents and visitors of Orange County, its member jurisdictions and surrounding areas. OCTS has established this Conduct Policy to promote the safety and comfort of its riders, protect its employees, facilitate the proper use of transit facilities and services, protect transit facilities and protect its vehicles and occupants. I. Purpose OCTS has established the Rules of Conduct and Exclusion Policy to outline conduct deemed inappropriate inside and outside areas of OCTS property, bus shelters, bus stops, transfer points and on buses. This policy also details the procedures for passenger exclusions and appeals. 24 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 15 II. Definitions Facilities means all OCTS property and equipment, including, without limitation, inside and outside areas of property, bus shelters, bus stops, transfer points, signage and buses used to provide public transportation service. No individual may engage in inappropriate conduct on, at or in public transportation facilities. Inappropriate Conduct is any conduct that is disruptive or injurious to other individuals' lawfully using OCTS facilities or services; damaging or destructive to transit facilities or services, or disruptive, harassing or threatening to transit employees. Inappropriate conduct may also constitute a violation of an ordinance or criminal law. Not being charged or convicted by law enforcement of an incident of inappropriate conduct does not bar investigation and/or exclusion under this policy. Excluded means an individual may not enter or remain on OCTS property and equipment used to provide public transportation services. Assault is an act or attempt, with force and violence, to do immediate physical injury to another person. III. Authorizations An OCTS operator may refuse entry onto a vehicle to any individual who violates these Rules of Conduct. An OCTS operator, Transit Operations Manager or Supervisor may provide oral or written warning and may order an individual to leave or exclude individuals from a vehicle or facility. If an operator, manager or supervisor becomes aware that any individual is engaging in any inappropriate conduct, such operator, manager or supervisor may give that individual an oral first warning to cease engaging in the conduct immediately and/or not to engage in the conduct again. If the individual does not cease engaging in the conduct or escalates the conduct, then the operator, manager or supervisor may direct the individual to leave the vehicle or facility immediately. If an individual fails or refuses to leave a vehicle or other facility after being directed to do so by an operator, manager or supervisor, such individual is subject to arrest and prosecution for trespassing and/or disorderly conduct. Additionally, failing to leave a vehicle or facility after directed to do so may also subject an individual to the exclusion procedure. IV. Levels of inappropriate conduct Inappropriate conduct are categorized in Levels I, II and Ill. Level I offenses will result in exclusion from transit facilities and/or services for not less than 30 days or more than three months. Level II offenses will result in exclusion from transit facilities and/or services for not less than 90 days or more than six months. Level lII offenses will result in exclusion from transit facilities and/or services for not less than 180 days or permanently based on severity. Further legal action may be taken as applicable and appropriate for Level Ill offenses. The levels of inappropriate conduct are as follows: A. Level I offenses 25 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 16  Refusing to vacate designated wheelchair areas and/or seating for senior citizens and people with disabilities on the bus.  Eating or drinking on the bus. (Note: Food items in closed containers are permitted.)  Using an audio device (e.g., portable radio, tape, CD player, TV, etc.), unless such equipment is used with earphones so that the sound is limited to that person's own listening.  Standing in front of the yellow standee line at the front of the bus near the driver's seat or leaning on the rear doors.  Bringing any animal on buses uncaged or caged, except service animals that assist those with disabilities.  Bringing on board any large articles, packages, baggage, noncollapsible strollers or baby buggies that block the aisle and restrict the free movement of passengers.  Engaging in indecent, profane, boisterous, unreasonably loud, demeaning and disrespectful behavior toward OCTS employees, contractors and/or passengers.  Engaging in unauthorized canvassing, selling, soliciting or distributing any material on board buses or at the transfer facility.  Boarding unattended minors: children 5 years of age and under must be closely accompanied at all times by an older responsible individual.  Roller-skating, roller-blading or skateboarding on buses or at the transfer facility.  Hanging or swinging from stanchions or other bus equipment with feet off the floor.  Hanging out, reaching out or putting anything out of bus windows.  Willfully refusing to pay a fare or to show appropriate identification or fare media to the bus operator.  Misusing fare media, including counterfeit or stolen fare media.  Obstructing or interfering with the bus operator's safe operation of the bus.  Participating in otherwise disorderly or inappropriate conduct that is inconsistent with the orderly and comfortable use of buses for their intended purpose. This includes putting your feet on the seat or leaving trash behind; not wearing a shirt and shoes; and exposing other passengers to bodily fluids of any kind or odors that may present serious health or safety risks. B. Level II offenses  Smoking or carrying a lighted or smoldering pipe, cigar or cigarette on the bus or inside the transfer facility (this includes electronic cigars or cigarettes).  Fighting  Threatening OCTS passengers or employees, including following or stalking passengers or employees.  Obstructing or interfering with bus operator’s safe operation of the vehicle.  Drinking alcoholic beverages or possessing open containers of alcoholic beverages. C. Level Ill offenses  Bringing any items of a dangerous nature on board buses including weapons (pistols, rifles, knives or swords); flammable liquids; dangerous, toxic or poisonous substances; vessels containing caustic materials, chemicals, acids or alkalis; sheet glass and sharp objects. 26 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 17  Stealing or willfully damaging, defacing or destroying OCTS property.  Lighting an incendiary device on the bus (e.g., match, lighter, torch).  Engaging in indecent exposure or any form of onanism.  Filing fraudulent claims about an injury sustained on a OCTS vehicle or at the transfer station.  Entering or remaining on OCTS buses after having been notified by an authorized individual not to do so, or boarding or remaining on OCTS buses during the period when an individual has been banned from the premises.  Spitting or expectorating on or at bus operators, employees, or passengers.  Assaulting or threatening to assault a bus operator, employee or passenger.  Possessing, transporting or distributing illegal or controlled substances.  Failing to comply with conditional ridership privileges agreed with OCTS. V. Transit exclusion procedure In the event that it is determined that an individual should be excluded from OCTS facilities and/or services, the process is as follows:  Authorized OCTS personnel will issue a written exclusion letter indicating the reasons for the exclusion, the duration of the exclusion and the facilities and/or services to which the exclusion order applies. If continued use of transit facilities and/or services is made subject to safety conditions or restrictions (e.g., presence of a parent or guardian in the case of a juvenile; accompaniment by a personal care attendant or aide), a conditional exclusion letter may be issued specifying that the individual are subject to exclusion unless the imposed restrictions are followed.  The letter shall also advise the individual of his/her right to appeal the decision and include a copy of the appeal procedure.  If an appeal is not filed by the excluded party within 10 days from the commencement of the exclusion to the OCTS Transit Operations Manager or Supervisor, then the right to appeal is considered waived. VI. Appeal procedure  If the excluded person/s appeals the exclusion, he/she must submit an appeal in writing to the safety and security manager to rescind or alter the terms of the exclusion. Appeals can be mailed to OCTS Administration Building, 600 NC-86, Hillsborough, NC 27278. The appeal shall contain a) a copy of the exclusion letter and b) a statement of the reason why the exclusion is improper or should be altered.  The Transit Operations Manager or Supervisor shall review the written appeal and may reconsider or modify the decision to exclude an individual, following investigation of the matter, and shall specify in writing within fourteen (14) business days of receipt of the appeal the reasons for rescission or modification, if applicable, to the appellant.  Should the excluded person wish to appeal the decision of the Transit Operations Manager or Supervisor, he/she may forward the written appeal to the director of Transportation Services. 27 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 18  For those requesting a hearing in person before the director of Transportation Services, the Transit Operations Manager or Supervisor will schedule a hearing within 10 days following receipt of the appeal to the director of Transportation Director.  The hearing shall be conducted as follows: a) presentation of documents and testimony supporting the exclusion, and b) presentation of documents and testimony opposing the exclusion. The Transportation Services Director or designee may question those providing testimony and may record the proceedings.  The decision of the director of Transportation Services are in writing and shall be final.  VII. Notice OCTS will mail a copy of the entire appeal policy to persons issued exclusion letters who provide a mailing address. A copy of this policy is also available for review at OCTS Administration Building, 600 NC-86, Hillsborough, NC 27278. 2. Visitors to the Transit System: ADA transportation service is provided to eligible visitors. Visitors are presumed eligible for service after providing documentation of their ADA paratransit eligibility in the jurisdiction within which they reside. If a visitor is unable to provide this documentation, documentation of the applicant’s place of residence is required as well as documentation of his/her disability if the disability is not readily apparent. These persons are additionally required to sign a certification that they are unable to use fixed-route transit. ADA paratransit is provided to eligible visitors for no more than 21 days during a rolling 365-day period. After 21 days of service within this timeframe, applicants/registrants are required to complete OPT’s full eligibility process, which involves completing an application and providing professional documentation of ADA transportation eligibility. 3. Personal Care Attendant/Caregiver/Companion Policy An ADA-eligible person may have one Personal Care Attendant (PCA), caregiver or companion to accompany the riders on eligible trips at no charge. OCTS requires that applicants state the need for a PCA during the eligibility application process. A PCA/Caregiver is not considered to be a companion or guest. The need for a PCA must be noted during the application process. PCAs are not charged a fare for accompanying an eligible registrant. In addition to a PCA, registrants may have one traveling companion accompany them who pay the price paid by the ADA registrant. Additional traveling companions are allowed on a space-available basis only and are subject to the ADA fare. Traveling companions and PCAs must have the same origin and destination as the customer. One companion/guest is allowed to accompany an ADA eligible complementary paratransit passenger on an ADA eligible paratransit trip. More than one companion are allowed on a space available basis. Companions/guests are required to pay the applicable paratransit fare. 4. Door to Door Assistance Policy It is the policy of Orange County Public Transit to provide complementary paratransit services within the ¾ mile service area boundary of OCTS’ non-commuter bus routes. Transportation service is provided by ADA accessible buses or vans. 28 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 19 Drivers are trained to provide minimal assistance only. Drivers provide assistance to passengers entering and exiting the vehicle which includes securing the passenger in a seat or wheelchair restraints and handling a limited amount of light weight packages into and out of the vehicle. When requested, drivers also assist passengers from the door of their origin to the vehicle and from the vehicle to the door of their destination. Drivers are not expected to assist passengers into their homes or other destinations. Drivers are not considered personal care attendants, nor are they trained to provide medical assistance. 5. Shopping Trips To ensure timely service, passengers are expected only to bring what they can safely carry on their own in one trip or with assistance of a personal care attendant (PCA). Passengers must keep their packages secure, and packages may not occupy another needed passenger seat or obstruct the aisle way. Passengers are welcome to bring a collapsible shopping cart on board the vehicle to assist them with their purchases. 6. Trip Cancellation Policy for a Scheduled Trip Passengers are encouraged to be cooperative in reducing cancellations. Cancellations are disruptive to the overall operation and the time could have been scheduled by another passenger. There is no penalty for a cancellation as long as the Dispatch office is notified at least one (1) hour in advance of the scheduled pick-up time. Passengers are encouraged to give as much notice as possible if unable to keep the appointment. If a passenger cancels a trip less than one hour before the scheduled pick-up time, it is considered a Late Cancellation and treated the same as a No Show. All Late Cancellations are recorded in the Passenger Individual Ridership Percentage record, which is maintained in the Dispatch office. Passengers should call the Orange County Public Transit Dispatch office at (919) 245-2008 as soon as known to cancel any trips. Cancellations can be made by leaving a message on the answering system 24 hours a day 7 days a week, but every effort should be made to call during business hours which are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5 PM. 7. No Show Policy/Procedure OCTS requests that passengers be ready to be transported within the scheduled 30-minute pick-up window. Orange County Public Transit defines a No Show as occurring when all five of the following circumstances have occurred:  The customer (or the customer’s representative) has scheduled ADA paratransit service.  There has been no call by the customer or his/her representative to cancel the scheduled trip two or more hours before the start of the pick-up window.  The paratransit vehicle has arrived at the scheduled pickup point within the scheduled pick-up window time.  The driver has waited at least five (5) minutes beyond the scheduled pick-up time, but the customer has failed to board the vehicle or refuses a trip.  The driver cannot reasonably see the customer approaching the vehicle. 29 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 20  If a No Show occurs, the return trip is not automatically cancelled. Staff attempt to contact the customer to verify the need for the return trip. However, only the customer can cancel the return trip.  If a passenger is not ready at the scheduled pick-up time or refuses a trip, the driver will continue with his/her regular schedule and the trip is considered a No Show.  Drivers notify the Dispatch office to log the trip as a No Show in the Passenger Individual Ridership Percentage record.  The driver marks the appointment on the Driver Manifest as a No Show.  Designated staff conducts a monthly evaluation of the Passenger Individual Ridership Percentage record to determine ridership/cancellation percentage. A letter of warning is sent to customers that had three or more No Shows and whose ridership percentage falls below 90 percent. Letters are sent out at the beginning of each calendar month. For visually impaired customers, a phone call can be made in addition to the letter. 8. Missing Trip Pattern Policy OCTS reserves the right to suspend service to an individual who, for reasons within his or her control, has a “pattern or practice” of missing scheduled trips. A monthly review of ridership are conducted to evaluate every passenger’s ridership percentage or ratio of rides a passenger keeps compared to number of rides a passenger cancels late or fails to show for the scheduled trip. This provision does not apply to trips that are missed for reasons that are beyond the passenger’s control, including trips that are missed due to a family emergency, sudden turn for the worse in a variable medical condition, or County error. OCTS also reserves the right to suspend service to an individual who engages in violent, seriously disruptive, or illegal conduct on a paratransit vehicle or toward a paratransit driver. Before suspending service, OCTS takes the following steps: OCTS monitors the ridership percentage of every paratransit patron monthly. A notice of warning are mailed to patrons when they had three or more No Shows and whose ridership percentage has fallen below 90 percent for reasons within the individual’s control. The notice: (a) advises patrons that ridership needs to improve to at least 90 percent during the next evaluation period; (b) invites patrons to adjust their schedule if needed; and (c) notifies patrons that service may be suspended at a future date if the ridership percentage continues to fall below the acceptable threshold. If ridership remains below the 90 percent threshold for a second consecutive month or if a notice of warning is issued three or more times in the 12-month period following the initial letter of warning, and the reasons for missed trips are within the patron’s control, OCTS issues a written notice of suspension of service. The first suspension of service are for a period of 14 calendar days. The second suspension of service are for a period of 30 calendar days. Each subsequent suspension will add 30 calendar days to the previously issued suspension. In the notice of suspension, OCTS describes an appeal process, which gives the individual the opportunity to be heard and to present information and arguments to an individual that was not involved with the initial decision to suspend service to the individual. The appeal process is described below. 30 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 21 9. Pick Up and Return Passengers are given an approximate time of pick up when scheduling an appointment. Orange County Public Transit is a federally subsidized, shared ride system and cannot offer exact pick up or drop off times. Drivers strive to maintain a prompt schedule to ensure that all rider reservations are honored. Passengers are asked to allow a 30-minute window of time for arrival. For example, if passengers have a pick-up scheduled for 2PM, the Driver may arrive between 1:45 PM and 2:15 PM. It is highly recommended that passengers be ready to board the vehicle when the Driver arrives. Drivers are instructed to wait at the place of pick up for five (5) minutes before departing from the pick-up location. There may be times when traffic, road conditions and/or weather conditions may delay arrival. When arranging for transportation, passengers are asked to schedule a return time, if necessary, at a pre-arranged location, or contact the Dispatch center for his/her return at the completion of an appointment. 10. Lift and Securement Use Policy In accordance with ADA regulations, OCTS provides service to all individuals using mobility devices. Mobility devices that exceed ADA defined devices or County of securement areas may be transported at the driver’s discretion. Service are declined if safety or vehicle integrity could be compromised. Passengers are advised that drivers are not permitted to operate a mobility device onto the lift or ramp of the vehicle. The passenger is responsible for getting onto the vehicle with minimal driver assistance. Use of the securement system on the County’s vehicles are a required condition of service. All wheelchairs and mobility devices must be secured to the passenger’s satisfaction before transport. When transporting passengers using mobility devices, OCTS can suggest that passengers transfer into a van/bus seat. The passenger, in this case, has the final decision as to whether a transfer is appropriate, given the passenger’s particular ability. As the regulations require, a passenger who cannot enter the vehicle using the stairs or ramp, but who does not use a wheelchair, are allowed to enter the vehicle using the lift. OCTS does not provide wheelchairs or other mobility devices. 11. Visitor Policy Visitors from another area or region have to the use of the complementary paratransit service provided by Orange County Public Transit. A visitor are asked to provide documentation stating the visitor is ADA paratransit eligible in the area in which the visitor resides. If a visitor is unable to do so, they are required to present documentation of their place of residence, and documentation of the visitor’s disability, if not apparent. This service is available for a combination of 21 calendar days during a 365-day period beginning with the visitor’s first use of the service. If a visitor exceeds any combination of 21 calendar days within a 365-day period, then that individual is required to submit the required application a resident would be required to submit. 12. Other Assistance All material made available to applicants and passengers of the County’s complementary paratransit service are provided in accessible formats upon request. For visually impaired customers, phone calls are made in addition to letters referenced in this document. 31 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 22 Those persons who would like to learn how to use the lift or ramp equipment on an accessible fixed route bus can practice on a vehicle that is not in regular service. Whenever possible, OCTS can make available demonstrations, attended by all interested persons, and will arrange transportation to such sites for those needing those services. OCTS staff may be able to accompany passengers on all or part of their first trip if advance arrangements are made. OCTS will also make mobility training available upon request. OCTS permit the use of a lift or ramp for Segway or other personal transportation devices when used as a mobility device by eligible customers as long as safety or vehicle integrity is not compromised. Securement provisions do not apply. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) allows paratransit passengers to travel with service animals trained to assist them. The ADA (49 CFR §37.3) defines a service animal as one that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler's disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items. The crime deterrent effects of an animal's presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition. People with disabilities who use service animals are not be charged extra fees, isolated from other patrons, or treated less favorably than other patrons. A person with a disability cannot be asked to remove a service animal from the premises unless: (1) the animal is out of control and the animal’s owner does not take effective action to control it (for example, a dog that barks repeatedly); or (2) the animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others. OCTS does not provide care or food for a service animal or provide a special location for it to relieve itself. Allergies and fear of animals are not valid reasons for denying or refusing service to people with service animals. Passengers are permitted to travel with respirators, portable oxygen, and other life support equipment. Travel with this equipment will only be denied if it violates rules concerning the transportation of hazardous materials. 13. Subscription Service Policy Passengers who use Paratransit service to make regular trips (daily, weekly, etc.) can request a standing reservation service through the Dispatch office. These reservations allow passengers to not have to call and schedule each recurring trip. OCTS takes subscription requests on a first come first serve basis. If a passenger makes a standing reservation and has two no-shows, per the OCTS no-show policy, the standing reservation are cancelled, and that passenger is not be eligible to qualify for subscription service for 30 days. Trips missed by the individual for reasons beyond his or her control (included but not limited to trips that are missed due to operator error) are not a basis for determining that a pattern or practice exists for missing appointments. 32 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 23 14. Cancellations If you are not be using your scheduled trip, please call (919) 245-2008 to cancel as soon as possible. You must call at least one hour before your scheduled trip to avoid being counted as a “no-show.” Canceling trips that you don’t need helps other riders who might otherwise not be able to travel that day. 15. Rider suspension OCTS Paratransit service suspension policy is designated to protect all riders. There are two main reasons why a rider could be suspended:  Excessive no-shows/late cancellations  Abusive or inappropriate behavior towards other riders or staff The length of a suspension are handled on a case-by-case basis, depending on circumstances. 33 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 24 IV. Appendix A. OCTS Staff Nishith Trivedi Interim Director 600 NC-86 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Phone: (919) 245-2007 ntrivedi@orangecountync.gov Benjamin Clark Transportation Administrator 600 NC-86 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Phone: (919) 245-2007 benclark@orangecountync.gov Jamael Wiley Transportation Operation Manager 600 NC-86 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Phone: (919) 245-2006 jwiley@orangecountync.gov Katrina Wall Transportation Operation Supervisor 600 NC-86 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Phone: (919) 245-2009 kwall@orangecountync.gov 34 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 25 B. Service Routes 35 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 26 36 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 27 C. Application & Verification ADA PARTRANSIT APPLICATION The Orange County paratransit system operates in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and each program is designed to serve individuals whose disabling conditions or functional limitations prevent them from using regular, fixed-route services. Return Completed Form to: Orange County Public Transit Attn: ADA Certification Review 600 NC Hwy 86 N Hillsborough, NC 27258 919-245-2008 How Do I Apply? If you believe you qualify, complete Part A of this application and then give both Parts A and B to a Health Care Provider who is familiar with your condition to have them complete Part B. Your signature on the application authorizes this professional to provide information to the participating paratransit system regarding your eligibility for ADA paratransit services and any needed clarification of functional limitations due to your disabling condition. The application must be properly and fully completed in order to be considered. What Happens After I Turn in my Application? You are contacted within 21 business days by a staff to schedule your functional assessment. For your assessment, you are provided a free trip to and from a functional assessment center, to determine your eligibility based on the following factors: a. Information you provided on your application b. Information provided by your healthcare professional c. A brief assessment of your actual functional abilities d. A review of available transportation options in the area in which you desire to travel If you have questions or have not been contacted within 21 business days of submitting your application, call the phone number(s) listed above. If, at that time, a determination of your eligibility has not been made, you are temporarily eligible for the paratransit services until such time as your application can be reviewed. You will receive notice of your eligibility determination by mail. If you do not agree with the eligibility determination, you have the right to appeal. Information on how to file an appeal are included with your eligibility notice. If an eligibility determination takes longer than 21 days, you may be given eligibility to use the paratransit system until a final decision about your eligibility is made. This does not apply if, through inactions on your part, we are unable to complete the processing of this application . 37 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 28 ADA Complementary Paratransit Application—Part A Applicant Information To be completed by applicant or another authorized person, PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY. Complete all of Part A and sign. Submit to a Health Professional to complete Part B. Date of Application: Last Name: First Name: Middle Initial: Home Address: City: State: Zip: Mailing Address (if different from home address): City: State: Zip: Daytime Phone Number: Evening Phone Number: Cell Phone Number: TTD Number (if applicable): Date of Birth: Gender: ☐Male ☐Female Primary Language: ☐English ☐Spanish ☐Other (please specify): In case of emergency, please contact: Name: Relationship: Daytime Phone: Evening Phone: Name: Relationship: Daytime Phone: Evening Phone: ABOUT YOUR MOBILITY Do you use any of the following mobility aids? (Check all that apply) ☐Other (please describe): If you use a manual, powered wheelchair, or scooter, is it more than 30 inches wide, more than 48 inches long, or does it, when in use, weigh more than 800 pounds (including person plus the mobility device)? ☐Yes ☐No ABOUT YOUR DISABILITY OR LIMITATIONS ☐Cane ☐Manual Wheelchair ☐Picture Board ☐White Cane ☐Powered Wheelchair ☐Alphabet Board ☐Walker ☐Powered scooter/cart ☐Portable Oxygen ☐Crutches ☐Transfer Board ☐Leg/Arm Braces ☐Prosthesis ☐Service Animal ☐None of These 38 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 29 Please check all that apply of the following statements which best define the nature of your disability or limitation that prevents you from using fixed-route bus service. Describe your specific needs in the space provided. ☐I have a mobility impairment which prevents me from getting to and/or getting on a fully accessible vehicle without assistance. If checked, describe the nature of this condition and any environmental obstacles (such as inclines, curbs, and distances) which affect your ability to access public transportation. (MOB) The condition is ☐temporary ☐permanent ☐I have an endurance problem which prevents me from moving the distance needed to get to the bus stop. If checked, describe the cause and nature of this condition. (END) The condition is ☐temporary ☐permanent ☐I have a visual impairment that prevents me from finding my way to and from a fixed-route bus stop without assistance. If checked, describe nature of your condition and your functional level of vision. (VIS) The condition is ☐temporary ☐permanent ☐I have a cognitive disability which prevents me from remembering and understanding the information needed to get myself safely to and from the bus stop. If checked, describe the origin and characteristics of your condition. (COG) The condition is ☐temporary ☐permanent ☐I have a severe medical condition which limits my ability to function. If checked, describe condition 39 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 30 and note whether your condition is temporary or permanent and if it is episodic in nature (i.e. do you have “good days” or times when you can access transportation and “bad days” when you cannot?) (OTH) The condition is ☐temporary ☐permanent ☐I am declining with functional losses due to aging. I feel I am not able to access regular bus service due to the following limitations: (OTH) The condition is ☐temporary ☐permanent ☐My functional limitations do not fit into any of the above categories. I am unable to use regular bus service because: (OTH) The condition is ☐temporary ☐permanent ☐Are you involved in any programs or training which will have an impact on your ability to use public transportation? If so, please describe. TRANSPORTATIONS NEEDS, ENVIRONMENTAL OR INDIVIDUAL FACTORS Do you currently use any regular fixed-route bus services? ☐Yes ☐No If yes, which routes? Can you get to the bus stop by yourself? ☐Yes ☐No If no, what limits you from getting there? Please check any of the following which are applicable to your situation. If I am waiting outside at a bus stop, I must have: ☐a bench ☐a shelter ☐nothing additional When crossing a street, I need: ☐curb cuts ☐tactile curb warnings ☐audible signals 40 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 31 ☐accessible median ☐not more than (enter #) lanes of traffic ☐nothing I cannot make my way across ground which is: ☐paved or sidewalk ☐grassy ☐gravel ☐hilly My ability to access transportation is affected by weather which is: ☐warm (above degrees) ☐cold (below degrees) ☐rainy ☐icy ☐windy My ability to access transportation is depended on the time of day. I cannot see in: ☐full daylight ☐partial light ☐darkness/semi-darkness My ability to access stairs is as follows. I can manage: ☐only one or two steps ☐only steps with a handrail ☐no steps The distance I can travel to and from bus stops by myself or with the assistance of a mobility aid is: ☐no more than 150 feet ☐at least one block ☐no more than one block ☐at least five blocks ☐at least eight blocks ☐more than five blocks I can wait at a bus stop without a bench: ☐no more than minutes ☐at least an hour The bus stops which I can access: ☐must be stops for which I have received formal travel training ☐must be only in areas familiar to me I travel: ☐alone ☐both alone and with a companion ☐only with an attendant or companion (this does not affect your eligibility for service) If you travel with someone who assists you, does this person assist you in: ☐getting to or from bus stop ☐getting on or off the bus ☐helping you at your destination ☐Other (please describe): I can cross a street with: ☐2-3 lanes ☐4-6 lanes ☐I cannot cross If you cannot cross, please explain why not List your 2-3 most frequent destinations and how you currently get there: Destination Frequency of Travel How you get there now 41 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 32 Person completing form other than applicant (please check one): ☐I certify that the information provided in this application is true and correct, based upon information given me by the applicant. ☐I certify that the information provided in this application is true and correct, based upon my own knowledge of the applicant’s health condition or disability. Name: Daytime Phone Number: Relationship to Applicant: Signature of Preparer: Date: I understand that the purpose of the application is to determine if I am eligible for Orange County Public Transit’s ADA complementary paratransit service. I certify that the information I gave in this application is true and correct and that the application are returned to me if not complete, which delays processing. I understand that falsification or misrepresentation of facts, or changes in my medical condition, may result in changes to my certification status. I further understand that additional information from my healthcare professional related to my disability or medical condition is required and are used to help determine my eligibility. I agree to notify Orange County Public Transit if I no longer need to use ADA complementary paratransit services. Signature of Applicant: _________________________________________ Date: _______________ (Applicants must be 18 years of age to sign independently. Otherwise, the signature of a guardian is required.) 42 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 33 Authorization for Release of Information I authorize the professional who has completed Part B of this application to release to Orange County Public Transit information about my disability or health condition and its effect on my ability to travel on the Orange County Public Transit (OCTS) bus service. I understand that I may revoke this authorization at any time. I, the applicant, understand that the purpose of this application is to determine my eligibility to use the ADA complementary paratransit services. I agree to release the information requested Orange County Public Transit, and any eligibility review panel, and understand that the information contained herein are treated confidentially, unless otherwise required by law. I understand further that Orange County Public Transit reserves the right to request additional information at its discretion. I agree to notify Orange County Public Transit of any changes in the status of my disability that affects my ability to use the ADA complementary paratransit service. I also understand that this may affect my eligibility as a rider. Applicant’s Name Date of Birth Applicant’s Address City State Zip Applicant’s Telephone Number Date (Signature of Applicant or Responsible Party) 43 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 34 ADA Complementary Paratransit Application—Part B Professional Verification Dear Verifying Professional: You are being asked by the applicant named in Part A of this application to provide information regarding his/her ability to use the public transportation services of Orange County Public Transit (OCTS). OCTS provides ADA complementary paratransit services to eligible persons with disabilities who sometimes or always cannot use regular fixed route bus services. The information you provide will allow us to evaluate the request and determine the individual’s specific needs. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. PLEASE NOTE: All regular fixed-route and connector bus services available within the city are currently accessible to persons with disabilities who need lift-equipped vehicles, vehicles which kneel to the curb, and/or announcement of bus stops. In order to be eligible for the paratransit services, the individual must be unable to access these services due to conditions which prevent them from getting to or from a fixed-route bus stop, or transferring between vehicles, and/or conditions which prevent them from being able to get on, ride, or get off a lift-equipped vehicle. Individuals for whom performing these tasks is inconvenient or uncomfortable are not eligible for services, and you are asked to verify this information. It is extremely important that you provide specific information regarding the individual’s functional limitations so that an accurate eligibility determination can be made. Please follow these steps to verify this application: 1. Read the applicant’s statements provided in Part A in its entirety. 2. Fill out Part B completely using the criteria provided 3. Return completed application to applicant within 7 days of receipt (applicant is responsible for returning application to paratransit provider). 4. Be aware that you may be contacted for further information about applicant’s abilities. 5. If you have questions, contact the paratransit provider at: Orange County Public Transit 919-969-4900 44 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 35 PART B – CERTIFICATION OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDER 1. I have read Part A in its entirety and I agree with the information provided. ☐Yes ☐No If no, please explain: 2. Identify the disability or health condition preventing the applicant from using HPTS fixed route buses. (Please be specific but use layman’s terms) 3. Specify which functional limitations are associated with this condition and be specific when asked to supply additional information. ☐Mobility Impairment ☐Visual Impairment: total partial ☐Hearing Impairment total partial ☐Cognitive Impairment ☐Compromised Endurance muscular respiratory ☐Other (please specify below) a) What is the severity of the individual’s condition? ☐Mild ☐Moderate ☐Severe ☐Profound/Chronic b) If this individual has functional limitations due to a cognitive impairment, please indicate any of the following issues that are pertinent to this individual: ☐Cannot be left alone to wait for transportation ☐Displays behavior that is unsafe for self or others using public transportation ☐Cannot recognize vehicles that she/he should board c) What is the expected duration of this individual’s condition? ☐Temporary – approximate duration until ☐Long term – potential for functional improvement or periods of remission ☐Permanent – no expectation of functional improvement 4. For any impairment checked above, please note specific precautions that the individual must follow in terms of: 45 Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan Orange County Planning Department Page 36 Travel distance limitations: Limitations regarding time of day to travel: Weather conditions: Environmental conditions: 5. Please choose the statement below which best represents your opinion regarding this individual’s use of public transportation: ☐This individual should be able to access public transportation successfully. ☐This individual can use public transportation under certain situations as stated above. ☐This individual cannot use public transportation due to multiple functional limitations. Signature: Print Name: Date Signed: Print Title: Business Address: City: Zip: Phone: Fax: Organization/Practice: Type of Practice: THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE! FOR OCTS USE ONLY APPROVED ☐ DENIED ☐ ISSUED BY TITLE DATE FILE NUMBER 46 D. Public Notice ORANGE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICES Notice of Public Meeting, 30-Day Public Comment and Period Public Hearing For the Draft ADA Paratransit Plan The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires Orange Public Transportation Services (OCTS) provide complementary ADA-accessible paratransit service to eligible persons within ¾ -mile of its fixed-route service at concurrent times and dates to the routes and hours of fixed- route operation. Presentation of the OCTS ADA Paratransit Plan and associated policies are provided at a public meeting held by OCTS staff Thursday, June 30, 2022, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in Orange County North Campus, Bonnie B Davis EAC Building located at 1020 US-70 West, Hillsborough, NC 27278. The public will have the opportunity to comment on the current adopted 2015 ADA Paratransit Plan. The revised plan are available for review on the OCTS website (http://www.co.orange.nc.us/transportation/); in the administrative office located at 600 Highway 86 N, Hillsborough, NC, 27278 during the 30-day public comment period starting Thursday, July 21, 2022, and ending Friday, August 19, 2022. The Orange County Board of County Commissioners will conduct a public hearing on September 6, 2022, at 7:00pm at the Whitted Building located at 300 W. Tryon St, Hillsborough, NC 27278, at which time a presentation of the Updated ADA Paratransit Plan are provided and the public are given an opportunity to comment. For further information on the plan or to submit comments, please contact Nishith Trivedi, Orange County Transportation Services Interim Director at (919)245-2007 or email at ntrivedi@orangecountync.gov. 47 48 E. Public Comments Received From: tonyblake@nc.rr.com <tonyblake@nc.rr.com> Sent: Thursday, May 19, 2022 9:20 AM To: Nishith Trivedi <ntrivedi@orangecountync.gov> Subject: [EXTERNAL MAIL!] Comments on ADA transit Hi Nish, I wanted to send you in writing my comments on the OC ADA transit program. Work: There seem to be a lot of programs out there that attempt to help the disabled who want to work get there, however there seems to be little coordination. Of course to make it worthwhile you would need to understand how many folks with a transit limiting disability there are and how many want to work. The SSA has a partner program that might be both a source of funding and a way to count these folks: https://choosework.ssa.gov/about/meet-your-employment-team/ And https://yourtickettowork.ssa.gov/resources/disability-hiring.html Emergency services/preparedness: 1) Inform the disabled and their families how to make transit accommodations in the event of a disaster. An updated list and plan for evacuation is priceless. Work with OCES. 2) Transit employees can learn a few signs (such as “I’m here to provide transit” “I’m here to help you”) and carry an icon booklet. 3) items that need to travel with the person such as personal care items that are specific to the disability. Some medications will require temperature-regulated storage. Power wheelchairs and electronic mobile communication devices require battery-charging stations. This should be part the “how to make transit accommodations” above. Perhaps a checklist for the family? Doing these simple things will greatly assist any emergency shelter intake and smooth the efficient delivery of service. -Tony 49 OCTS Response: 1. OCTS offers Employment Transportation Assistance Program (EMPL), which provides transport to work or training for DSS clients transitioned off TANF or Work First within 12 months, Workforce Development Program participants, “disadvantaged public” and or public. Eligible trip purposes: job interviews, job fairs, job readiness activities/ training, GED classes, transportation to work (scheduled by passenger), children of working parent transported to child care. FARE COST: $0 2. OCTS is backup to Emergency Management Services (EMS) (link). EMS has their own Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan (link). 50 51 OCTS Response: 1. All “will” occur events from 2015 plan are updated to include all improvements to OCTS services. 2. Certified and licensed professionals list updated to include all certified and licensed medical professionals. 3. Staff is looking into all Inter Local Agreements in place with various agencies to determine best path forward towards consolidated agreements, this includes technology (ecolane vs trapeze), fare collection (UMO or other), and other common resources and practices.  Comment 1: Saturday is not mentioned. Is there any service? o OCTS Response – MOD added to plan to demonstrate agencies weekend serive.  Comment 2: Three fixed routes are listed above, but only one is mentioned here. Which are the other two? And which are the connectors? Update: I see they are listed later, below. You may want to update this section. o OCTS Response – all services updated throughout plan. 52 F. Commissioner Resolution ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ORANGE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) PARATRANSIT PLAN WHEREAS, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed by Congress and signed into law by the President in July 1990; and WHEREAS, the ADA prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in employment, housing and transportation; and WHEREAS, the ADA’s intent is to ensure equal opportunity for persons with disabilities to access public accommodations, public services, telecommunications and transportation; and WHEREAS, to comply with the ADA, Orange Public Transportation is required to provide paratransit service to those persons with disabilities who are unable to use or access the fixed-route transit system; and WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Transportation and U.S. Department of Transportation require public transit operators providing fixed-route service to submit complementary paratransit plans and annual updates to the Federal Transit Administration; and WHEREAS, Orange Public Transportation are expanding fixed-route service considerably over the coming year necessitating a need to develop and adopt a major update to its ADA paratransit plan with an updated service plan and service area. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Orange County Board of Commissioners that the Board approves and adopts the 2015 Orange Public Transportation ADA Paratransit Plan. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners authorizes the Orange County Transportation Services to submit the 2022 Orange County ADA Paratransit Plan to the North Carolina Department of Transportation and Federal Transit Administration. Upon motion of Commissioner _______ ________, seconded by Commissioner _______ _______, the foregoing resolution was adopted this the 6th day of September 2022. 53 54 ORANGE COUNTY ORANGE UNIFIED TRANSPORTATION BOARD ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: August 17, 2022 Action Agenda Item No. 4.d. SUBJECT: Agency Safety Plan Update DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections ATTACHMENT(S): 1. 2022 Agency Safety Plan INFORMATION CONTACT: Nishith Trivedi, Interim Orange County Transportation Services Director and Transportation Planner, 919-245-2582 PURPOSE: Recommend Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approve the Orange County Transportation Services (OCTS) Agency Safety Plan (ASP). BACKGROUND: OCTS reviews and updates the ASP annually and implements the changes within a timeframe that will allow the agency to submit the annual self-certification of compliance in a timely manner. Annual self-certification will consist of the Director reviewing, approving and signing the document and submitting to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for approval. Necessary updates outside the annual update window will be handled as ASP addenda, which will be incorporated into the body of the ASP during the next review cycle.”. With recent improvements to Orange County public transit services, OCTS staff implemented the following public process to update the ASP. • July 20, 2022 – OUTBoard received current 2020 ASP and provides comments • August 17, 2022: OUTBoard makes recommendation on Updated 2022 ASP • September 6, 2022: BOCC Action NEXT STEPS: The Updated OCTS ASP will be shared with the relevant MPOs, FTA and NCDOT. RECOMMENDATIONS: The Staff request the OUTBoard recommend BOCC approve the 2022 ASP (Attachment 1). 55 56 2022 Orange County Transportation Services Orange County, NC 8/8/2022 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan 57 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan The Agency Safety Plan addresses all applicable requirements and standards as set forth in FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program and the National Public Transportation Safety Plan. Orange County Public Transportation System Safety Program Plan Revisions Section Revision Date 58 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Agency Information .................................................................................................................... 4 II. Plan Development, Approval and Updates .................................................................................. 5 III. Safety Performance Targets........................................................................................................ 6 IV. Staff and Public Process .............................................................................................................. 8 V. Safety Management Policy ......................................................................................................... 9 VI. Safety Risk Management .......................................................................................................... 13 VII. Safety Assurance ...................................................................................................................... 18 VIII. Safety Promotion ..................................................................................................................... 20 IX. Risk Reduction Program ........................................................................................................... 23 X. Additional Information ............................................................................................................. 25 XI. Definitions in ASP ..................................................................................................................... 26 XII. List of Acronyms ....................................................................................................................... 28 59 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan I. Agency Information The Agency Safety Plan addresses all applicable requirements and standards as set forth in FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program and the National Public Transportation Safety Plan. Transit Agency Name Orange County Public Transportation Transit Agency Address 600 NC Highway 86 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Name and Title of Accountable Executive Nishith Trivedi, Orange County Transportation Services Interim Director Name of Chief Safety Officer or SMS Executive Benjamin Clark, Transportation Administrator Mode(s) of Service Covered by This Plan Bus List All FTA Funding Types (e.g., 5307, 5310, 5311) 5307. 5339, 5310, 5311 Mode(s) of Service Provided by the Transit Agency (Directly operated or contracted service) Fixed Route Bus Transit , Complimentary Paratransit, Demand Response, Micro-Transit (Mobility-on-Demand) Does the agency provide transit services on behalf of another transit agency or entity? Yes No Description of Arrangement(s) Coordinate regional transit needs in partnership with Go Triangle, Chapel Hill Transit (CHT) and Piedmont Authority on Regional Transportation (PART) Description of Services Orange County Transportation Services provides demand response services and operates three fixed routes with complimentary paratransit and Mobility-on-Demand. 60 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan II. Plan Development, Approval and Updates Version Number and Updates Version Number Section/Pages Affected Reason for Change Date Issued 1 All New Document Annual Review and Update of the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan OCTS management will review the ASP annually, update the document as necessary, and implement the changes within a timeframe that will allow the agency to submit the annual self- certification of compliance in a timely manner and no later than July 15. Annual self-certification will consist of the Executive Director reviewing, approving and signing the document and submitting to the OCTS Board for their approval. Necessary updates outside the annual update window will be handled as ASP addenda which will be incorporated in the body of the ASP. The OCTS ASP updates will be shared with the relevant MPOs, FTA and NCDOT. Name of Entity That Drafted This Plan Orange County Transportation Services Signature by the Accountable Executive Signature of Accountable Executive Date of Signature Approval by the Orange County Board of County Commissioner Name of Individual/Entity That Approved Plan Date of Approval Orange County Board of County Commissioners Relevant Documentation (title and location) Governing Body Adopting Resolution Certification of Compliance Name of Individual/Entity That Approved Plan Date of Certification Relevant Documentation (title and location) 61 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan III. Safety Performance Targets Performance Measures: SAFETY PERFORMANCE MEASURE: FATALITIES (total number of reportable fatalities and rate per total vehicle revenue miles by mode). o Customers, employees and the public o DATA – Fatalities by mode and Revenue miles by mode SAFETY PERFORMANCE MEASURE: INJURIES (total number of reportable injuries and rate per total vehicle revenue miles by mode) o Customers, employees and the public o DATA – Accidents with injuries by mode DATA – Revenue miles by mode o SAFETY PERFORMANCE MEASURE: SAFETY EVENTS (total number of reportable events and rate per total vehicle revenue miles by mode)  Combined above with reportable incidents for customers, employees and the public  DATA – Safety incidents by mode and Revenue miles by mode  DEFINE – Safety incident vs. other incidents o SAFETY PERFORMANCE MEASURE: SYSTEM RELIABILITY (mean distance between major mechanical failures by mode)  Relationship with TAM Plan – State of Good Repair (SGR) by mode  DATA – Definition of system SGR in TAM  DATA – Annual target data by mode  DATA – Reference to TAM plan policies impacting system reliability  DATA – Include annual System Reliability  DATA – Revenue miles by mode  DATA – Major mechanical failure by mode with dates  DEFINE – Major mechanical failure o Towed from service o Greater than $X of repairs o Greater than X days out of service 62 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan Safety Performance Targets Specify performance targets based on the safety performance measures established under the National Public Transportation Safety Plan. Mode of Transit Service Fatalities Fatality (per 100k VRM) Injuries Injuries (per 100k VRM) Safety Events Safety Events (per 100k VRM) System Reliability Fixed Route Bus 0 0 1 1 1.5 1.5 2 Demand Response 0 0 1 1 1.5 1.5 2 Safety Performance Target Coordination The Accountable Executive and Board of Directors shares the OCTS ASP, including safety performance targets with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), Burlington/Graham MPO and Durham Chapel Hill Carrboro MPO, year after the board have adopted the plan and OCTS staff have assured that its content has met the requirements of CFR 49, part 673; Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan. Targets Transmitted to the State State Entity Name Date Targets Transmitted Integrated Mobility Division NCDOT Targets Transmitted to the Metropolitan Planning Organization Metropolitan Planning Organization Name Date Targets Transmitted Burlington/Graham Urban Area MPO Durham Chapel Hill Carrboro MPO 63 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan IV. Staff and Public Process Staff Involvement The ASP contains feedback received from front line workers (e.g., drivers and dispatchers) along with operation and leadership staff. Drivers filled out a survey (Appendix) and participated in periodic staff meetings with leadership. Survey results are highlighted below:  Communicating the purpose and benefits of the Safety Management System (SMS) to all managers, supervisors, and employees. Public Process The ASP was approved through a public process using the following steps:  July 20, 2022 - Original ASP presented to Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard). o Each OUTBoard meeting is open to the public, no comments were received by OUTBoard on the ASP.  August 20, 2022 – Revised ASP presented to OUTBoard for recommendations to BOCC  September 2, 2022 – BOCC action Driver Feedback Hard copies of the 2022 Agency Safety Plan were provided to the driver’s breakroom. Drivers were encouraged to review the plan and provide any feedback.  No comments were received from drivers during this update. 64 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan V. Safety Management Policy Safety Management Policy Statement The Orange County Board of County Commissioners and Transportation Services Director strive to provide a safe environment for employees, customers and guests of OCTS facilities and services. OCTS aims to support a robust safety culture, and achieve a high level of safety performance. We also work to ensure that all employees are provided with adequate and appropriate safety information and training. We have established safety performance targets to help us measure the overall effectiveness of our processes. OCTS is committed to the following safety objectives:  Communicating the purpose and benefits of the Safety Management System (SMS) to all managers, supervisors, and employees.  Providing a culture of open reporting of all safety concerns, ensuring that no action will be taken against any employee who discloses a safety concern through OCTS’s Employee Safety Reporting Program (ESRP), unless such disclosure indicates, beyond any reasonable doubt, an illegal act, gross negligence, or a deliberate or willful disregard of regulations or procedures.  Identifying hazardous and unsafe work conditions and analyzing data from all sources. (After analyzing provided data, the OCTS Safety Committee will develop processes and procedures to mitigate safety risk to an acceptable level.)  Establishing safety performance targets that are realistic, measurable, and data driven. Continually improving our safety performance through management processes that ensure appropriate safety management action is taken and is effective Safety Management Policy Communication Employee engagement is crucial to a functioning Safety Management System (SMS). Communication is in place to enable awareness of OCTS safety objectives/safety performance targets as well as to provide on-going safety communication up, down, and across the organization. Management proactively engages employees and works to keep the lines of safety communication honest and open. All employees are made aware of the importance of OCTS’s SMS through the distribution of OCTS’s Safety Management Policy Statement to each employee. OCTS also posts copies of the Safety Management Policy Statement in all facilities. 65 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan Authorities, Accountabilities, and Responsibilities Accountable Executive The Transportation Services Director serves as OCTS’s Accountable Executive with the following authorities, accountabilities, and responsibilities under this plan: • Responsible for ensuring an SMS culture for OCTS operations employees • Controls and directs human and capital resources needed to develop and maintain the ASP and SMS and has ultimate responsibility for carrying out the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan of a public transportation agency; • Responsibility for carrying out the agency’s Transit Asset Management Plan; and • control or direction over the human and capital resources needed to develop and maintain both the agency’s Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. § 5329(d), and the agency’s Transit Asset Management Plan in accordance with 49 U.S.C. § 5326 • Designates a Chief Safety Officer who reports directly to the Accountable Executive Chief Safety Officer or SMS Executive The Accountable Executive designates the Director of Commuter Operations as OCTS’s Chief Safety Officer. The Chief Safety Officer has the following authorities, accountabilities, and responsibilities under this plan: • Promotes safety awareness throughout the organization ensuring that safety management has a high priority; • Ensures that ASP documentation is current and accessible to all employees, communicating changes to all personnel; • Monitors the effectiveness of safety mitigations; • Provides Safety Risk Management advice and supports the Executive Director and personnel who conduct and oversee Safety Assurance activities. Employee Safety Reporting Program (ESRP) OCTS is committed to the safest transit operating standards possible. To achieve this, it is imperative that OCTS have uninhibited reporting of all incidents and occurrences which may compromise the safe conduct of our operations. To this end, every employee is responsible for the communication of any information that may affect the integrity of transit safety. OCTS encourages employees who identify safety concerns in their day-to-day duties and to report them to senior management in good faith without fear of retribution. OCTS encourages participation in the ESRP by protecting employees that report safety conditions in good faith. However, OCTS may take disciplinary action if the safety report received by OCTS is from a source other than the employee, or involves an illegal act, gross negligence, or a deliberate or willful disregard of promulgated regulations or procedures. There are many ways employees can report safety conditions: 66 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan Agency Leadership and Executive Management Agency Leadership and Executive Management also have authorities and responsibilities for day-to- day SMS implementation and operation of OCTS’s SMS under this plan. OCTS Agency Leadership and Executive Management include: • Transportation Administrator • Transit Operations Manager • Transit Operations Supervisor OCTS Leadership and Executive Management personnel have the following authorities, accountabilities, and responsibilities: • Participate as members of OCTS’s Safety Committee as called upon; • OCTS Safety Committee: Reported safety hazards are evaluated by the Safety Committee. Safety Committee members include the Chief Safety Officer, Operations Manager, Safety/Training Manager and the Field Operations Specialist. • Oversee day-to-day operations of the SMS in their departments; • Provide subject matter expertise to support implementation of the SMS as requested by the Accountable Executive or the Chief Safety Officer. The Safety/Training Manager has the following additional authorities, accountabilities, and responsibilities: • Provides safety related training to employees; • Maintains full knowledge of all standard and safety operating procedures; • Ensures that employees make safety a primary concern when on the job; • Listens and acts upon any safety concerns raised by OCTS staff; • Oversees day-to-day implementation and operation of OCTS's SMS; and • Maintains OCTS’s Safety Event Log. The Transit Operations Manager has the following additional authorities, accountabilities, and responsibilities: • Monitors OCTS’s Safety Event Log and analyzes trends in hazards, occurrences, incidents, and accidents to maintain OCTS’s Critical Asset Vulnerability Action Report as part of Safety Risk Management (SRM); and • Identifies substandard performance in OCTS's SMS and develops action plans for approval by the Accountable Executive. • Chairs the OCTS Safety Committee and coordinates quarterly meetings. Key Staff OCTS relies on Dispatch/Supervisors, Operators and Mechanics Technicians as front- line safety personnel take part in monthly Safety Meetings in support of the SMS: • Safety Committee: All Safety Events are discussed as well as any activities that have been put in place to prevent future occurrences. Facility inspections and any hazards identified are also discussed. This committee’s members include the Safety/Training Manager (chair), at least one Dispatch/Supervisor and one or more of the Transit Operators and Mechanics. 67 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan • All-Employee Safety Meetings: A permanent agenda item in monthly All- Employee Safety Meetings is dedicated to safety. Safety issues are discussed and documented. Hazard reports and mitigations will be shared, safety topics will be brought up for open discussion, further feedback solicited, and hazard self-reporting further encouraged. Safety Training Transit Operations Manager and Supervisor are certified by the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) and provide the following list of training to all transit operators:  Passenger Assistance Safety and Sensitivity (PASS)  Wheelchair Securement  MDT Tablet  PASS safety  Ecolane  DA, Ambulatory  Non Ambulatory  Passenger Safety  Service Animal 68 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan VI. Safety Risk Management Safety Risk Management Process OCTS uses the SRM process as a primary method to ensure the safety of our operations, passengers, employees, vehicles, and facilities. It is a process whereby hazards and their consequences are identified, assessed for potential safety risk, and resolved in a manner acceptable to OCTS’s leadership. OCTS’s SRM process allows us to carefully examine what could cause harm and determine whether we have taken sufficient precautions to minimize the harm, or if further mitigations are necessary. OCTS’s Operations Manager leads OCTS’s SRM process, working with OCTS’s Safety Committee to identify hazards and consequences, assess safety risk of potential consequences, and mitigate safety risk. The results of OCTS’s SRM process are documented in our Critical Asset Vulnerability Action Report and Assessment Log and referenced materials. Safety Hazard Identification Establishing effective hazard identification programs is fundamental to safety management at OCTS. Hazard identification can be reactive or proactive in nature. Occurrence reporting, incident investigation and trend analysis are essentially reactive. Other hazard identification methods actively seek feedback by observing and analyzing day-to-day operations. Common hazard identification activities include:  Safety audits and inspections of vehicles and facilities;;  Safety event and incident investigation and reporting;  Review of vehicle camera footage;  Results of training assessments;  Review of performance data and safety performance targets;  Observations from supervisors;  Maintenance reports;  OCTS ESRP  Safety Committee, Drivers’ and other staff meetings  Evaluating safety related comments from customers and passengers;  Federal Transit Administration (FTA) oversight The practice of reporting and learning from accident precursors (drive-cam) is a valuable complement to other hazard identification practices. To be successful, hazard identification must take place within a just safety culture. Accident precursors are not only an opportunity to identify potential hazards, but also for supervisors to coach operators through various safety situations. 69 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan When a safety concern is observed by OCTS personnel it is reported to OCTS’s Operations Manager— these reports are made in accordance with OCTS’s employee reporting policy. OCTS’s Operations Manager also receives customer comments related to safety, and the dispatch daily Operations Log. OCTS’s Operations Manager reviews these sources for hazards and documents them in OCTS’s Critical Asset Vulnerability Action Report. OCTS’s Operations Manager also may enter hazards into the Critical Asset Vulnerability Action Report based on their review of OCTS’s operations and maintenance, the results of audits and observations, and information received from FTA and other oversight authorities, as well as the National Transportation Safety Board. OCTS’s Operations Manager may conduct further analyses of hazards and consequences entered into the Critical Asset Vulnerability Action Report to collect information and identify additional consequences and to inform which hazards should be prioritized for safety risk assessment. OCTS’s Operations Manager will then prepare an agenda to discuss identified hazards and consequences with the Safety Committee. This agenda may include additional background on the hazards and consequences, such as the results of trend analyses, vehicle camera footage, vendor documentation, reports and observations, or information supplied by FTA or other oversight authorities Chief Safety Officer and Operations Manager will evaluate recommendations from the Safety Committee and any identified hazard that poses a real and immediate threat to life, property, or the environment will be brought to the attention of the Accountable Executive and addressed through the SRM process (with or without the full Safety Committee) for safety risk assessment and mitigation. This means that the Chief Safety Officer believes immediate intervention is necessary to preserve life, prevent major property destruction, or avoid harm to the environment that would constitute a violation of Environmental Protection Agency or any state environmental protection standards. Otherwise, the Safety Committee will prioritize hazards for further SRM activity. Safety Risk Assessment Once hazards have been identified, OCTS will conduct an assessment to determine the potential consequences. Factors to be considered are the likelihood of occurrence, the severity of the consequences, and the level of exposure to the hazard. The Operations Manager and Safety Committee assess prioritized hazards using a Risk Assessment Matrix (RAM). Results of the risk assessment process will help determine whether the risk is being effectively managed by prioritizing combined risks into levels, High, Medium, or Low, based on the likelihood of occurrence and severity of the outcome. For purposes of accepting risk:  “High” hazard ratings will be considered unacceptable and require action from OCTS to mitigate the safety risk  “Medium” hazard ratings will be considered undesirable and require OCTS’s Safety Committee to make a decision regarding their acceptability  “Low” hazard ratings may be accepted by the Chief Safety Officer without additional review. 70 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan The Operations Manager schedules safety risk assessment activities on the Safety Committee agenda. During the meeting, the Operations Manager reviews the hazard and its consequence(s) and reviews available information on severity and likelihood. The Chief Safety Officer and/or Operations Manager may request support from members of the Safety Committee in obtaining additional information to support the safety risk assessment. Once sufficient information has been obtained, the Operations Manager will facilitate completion of relevant sections of the Critical Asset Vulnerability Action Report, using the OCTS Safety Risk Assessment Matrix, with the Safety Committee. The Operations Manager will document the Safety Committee’s safety risk assessment, including hazard rating and mitigation options for each assessed safety hazard in the Critical Asset Vulnerability Action Report. The Operations Manager will maintain on file Safety Committee agendas, additional information collected, and the Critical Asset Vulnerability Action Report and Assessment Tool entries for a period of three years from the date of generation. Safety Risk Mitigation OCTS’s Operations Manager and the Safety Committee also review current methods of safety risk mitigation and establish methods or procedures to mitigate or eliminate safety risk associated with specific hazards. If the risks are unacceptable, OCTS will take steps to lower the risk to an acceptable or tolerable level, or to remove or avoid the hazard. The level of risk can be lowered by:  Reducing the severity of the potential consequences;  Reducing the likelihood of occurrence and/or;  Reducing the exposure to that risk; or  Some combination of 1, 2 or 3 above. In general, OCTS will take the following safety actions to mitigate risk. These actions can be grouped into three broad categories, including:  Physical Defenses: These include objects and technologies that are engineered to discourage, or warn against, or prevent inappropriate action or mitigate the consequences of events (e.g. traffic control devices, fences, safety restraining systems, etc.).  Administrative Defenses: These include procedures and practices that mitigate the likelihood of accident/incident (e.g. safety regulations, standard operating procedures, personnel proficiency, supervision inspection, training, etc.).  Behavioral Defenses: These include behavioral interventions through education and public awareness campaigns aimed at reducing risky and reckless behavior. OCTS’s Operations Manager tracks and updates safety risk mitigation information in the Critical Asset Vulnerability Action Report and makes the Register available to the Safety Committee and to other OCTS staff upon request. 71 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan Safety Committee The current Safety Committee consisted of the Transit Operations Manager and one driver. Hard copies of the ASP was provided to all the drivers in their break room. However, no feedback was provided. The Safety Committee further reviewed the ASP and approved it on July 31, 2022. Their approval is provided below. 72 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan 73 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan VII. Safety Assurance Safety Assurance provides the necessary feedback to ensure that the SMS is functioning effectively and that OCTS is meeting or exceeding its safety objectives. Safety assurance requires a clear understanding of how safety performance will be evaluated, or in other words, what metrics will be used to assess system safety and determine if the safety management system is working properly. Having decided on the metrics by which success will be measured; safety management requires using these metrics within the organization for ongoing performance improvement. Through our Safety Assurance process, OCTS: Assesses the effectiveness of safety risk mitigations to make sure the mitigations are appropriate and are implemented as intended;  Investigates safety events to identify causal factors; and  Analyzes information from safety reporting, including data about safety failures, defects, or conditions. Safety Performance Monitoring and Measurement One purpose of the OCTS SMS is to ensure that OCTS is tracking and addressing safety concerns of all types that arise within OCTS services and facilities. OCTS has many processes in place to monitor its entire transit system for compliance with operations and maintenance procedures including: Monitoring Activities:  Facility and Bus Inspections  Safety Meetings  Training Activities  Accident Investigation Reports  Injury Reports  Preventative Maintenance of Vehicles  Comprehensive Vehicle Maintenance Review  Ride-along Evaluations (Driver and Route)  Security Officers and Cameras 74 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan The safety data collected from the above sources will be analyzed by OCTS for potential safety impacts. Data are compared against performance trends by the Operations Manager to determine where Actions needs to be taken. OCTS is committed to using the data collected and information learned from mitigation efforts to inform decision making and instill positive change. The main objective of all safety mitigations is the improvement of transit system safety. The mechanism for monitoring safety risk mitigations varies depending on the mitigation. OCTS’s Operations Manager and OCTS’s Safety Committee monitor operations to identify mitigations that may be ineffective, inappropriate, or not implemented as intended. When performance goals are not met, OCTS will work to identify why such goals were not met and what actions can be taken to minimize the gap in achieving defined goals.  Identify why the mitigations were unsuccessful  Identify unrealistic expectations that may have been hampering process  GAP analysis  Create new mitigation strategies  Help make informed resource allocation decisions  Identify improvements  Reassessment Internally reported safety concerns can be recorded through an incident report or through the ESRP. These safety concerns are either handled immediately by the Safety/Training Manager and/or brought to the attention of OCTS Safety Manager and the Safety Committee as needed. All concerns are filed for data/record keeping purposes. 75 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan VIII. Safety Promotion Competencies and Training OCTS’s Accountable Executive and Agency Leadership must complete FTA’s SMS Awareness online training and an executive session on safety management sponsored by CT’s transit insurance pool. OCTS’s safety training program applies to all employees directly responsible for safety, including:  Bus vehicle operators,  Dispatchers,  Maintenance technicians,  Managers and supervisors, and  Safety/Training Manager Basic training requirements for OCTS’s employees, including frequencies and refresher training, are documented by the Safety/Training Manager. Operations safety-related skill training includes the following:  New-hire bus vehicle operator classroom and hands-on skill training,  Bus vehicle operator refresher training,  Bus vehicle operator retraining (recertification or return to work),  Classroom and on-the-job training for dispatchers,  Classroom and on-the-job training for operations supervisors and managers,  Accident investigation training for operations supervisors and managers.  Driver Evaluations,  Personal Protective Equipment,  Lockout/Tagout training  Bloodborne Pathogens and  NCDOT Minimum Safety Standards Vehicle maintenance safety-related skill training includes the following:  Ongoing vehicle maintenance technician skill training,  Ongoing skill training for vehicle maintenance supervisors,  Personal Protective Equipment,  Bloodborne Pathogens,  Ongoing hazardous material training for vehicle maintenance technicians and supervisors, and  Lockout/Tagout training 76 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan Safety Communication OCTS believes safety promotion is critical to the success of an SMS and aids in ensuring that the organization understands safety policies, procedures, and structure. Further, safety promotion involves establishing an organizational and workplace culture that recognizes safety as a core value, training employees in safety principles, and allowing open communications of safety issues. OCTS’s safety communication activities focus on requirements established in 49 CFR Part 673 (Part 673): That a transit agency must communicate safety and safety performance information throughout its organization which conveys information on hazards and safety risks relevant to employees' roles and responsibilities and informs employees of safety actions taken in response to reports submitted through the employee safety reporting program. OCTS maintains safety communication through:  Employee trainings,  Safety Communication Board,  Daily Safety Announcements/Messages,  Monthly Safety Meetings for Drivers and Maintenance Techs,  Driver Award Programs, and  Safety section of employee handbook. Positive safety culture must be generated from the top-down. The actions, attitudes, and decisions at the policy- making level must demonstrate a genuine commitment to safety. Safety must be recognized as the responsibility of each employee with the ultimate responsibility for safety resting with the Transportation Services Director of OCTS. Employees must trust that they will have management support for decisions made in the interest of safety while recognizing that intentional breaches of safety will not be tolerated. The primary goal of safety promotion at OCTS is to develop a positive safety culture that allows SMS to succeed. A positive safety culture at OCTS is defined as one which is: A. An Informed/Learning Culture  Employees understand the hazards and risks involved in their areas of operation;  Employees are provided with the necessary knowledge, training and resources; and  Employees work continuously to identify and overcome threats to safety. B. A Just Culture  Employees know and agree on what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior per policies outlined in their respective employee handbooks; and  Human errors must be understood but negligence and willful violations cannot be tolerated. 77 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan C. A Reporting Culture  Employees are encouraged to voice safety concerns and to share critical safety information without the threat of punitive action; and  When safety concerns are reported they are analyzed and appropriate action is taken.  Employees are updated on safety issues by management and safety reports are fed back to staff so that everyone learns the pertinent lessons. 78 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan IX. Risk Reduction Program Risk Reduction Program and Control Process The Risk Reduction Program and Control Process involves the analysis and corrective action taken to reduce the risk associated with an identified hazard to the lowest practical level. Using the assessment and evaluation results, hazards are mitigated to an acceptable level by one or more of the below described methods, also known as the hierarchy of controls: Design for Elimination or Minimum Risk: Where possible, hazards will be eliminated through design. In many cases, hazards are inherent and cannot be eliminated through design. In other cases, eliminating the hazard is not practical or financially feasible. If the hazard cannot be eliminated, it will be reduced to an acceptable level by incorporating the principles of system safety, using fail-safe devices and principles in design, incorporating high-reliability system components, and using redundant or backup hardware and software devices. Utilize Safety Devices: Hazards that cannot be eliminated or controlled through design selection shall be controlled to an acceptable level using fixed, automatic, or other protective safety design features or devices. These are permanent system design features that improve safety by automatically controlling the risk of hazard without human interaction. Provisions shall be made for periodic functional checks of safety devices. Install Warning Devices: When either design or safety devices cannot effectively eliminate or control an identified hazard, warning devices can be used to detect the hazardous condition and to generate an adequate warning signal to correct the hazard or provide for personnel evacuation. Warning devices should be standardized to minimize the probability of incorrect reaction of personnel to these warning signals. Develop Procedures and Instruction: When it is impossible or impractical to eliminate hazards through design selection or adequately reduce its associated risks through safety or warning devices, then approved procedures and training programs must be used. However, this is the lowest level of control, and relies on training to recognize the hazard and personnel actions to avoid the hazard. Procedures may include the use of personal protective equipment. Precautionary notations and warning signs must be standardized. Hazard resolution often requires a combination of the methods of control. The use of warning, caution and other forms of written advisories alone to control undesirable risks will be carefully reviewed to ensure that no other additional measures are possible. Hazards classified as “unacceptable” are not permissible. 79 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan Accident Prevention Program The Accident Prevention Program (APP) is the agency’s written plan describing its total health and safety program to prevent accidents, illnesses, and injuries on the job. The program is tailored to the needs of OPTS Transit’s workplace/operation and to the types of hazards involved. This program covers the Employee Health and Safety group’s responsibilities, and describes agency policy and general procedures concerning employee health and safety. Included programs, procedures, and processes:  Job hazard analysis  Safety inspections  Safety reporting  Accident investigation (employee injury/accident)  Hazard control process  Accident and incident recordkeeping  Safety orientation  Safety communication  Hazard specific programs and plans  SOPs to support the above programs and procedures The APP is available to all employees and initially introduced to new employees during their initial Core Safety Training. Preventing Assault on Transit Workers The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law instituted recent changes to the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) requirements at 49 U.S.C. § 5329(d) and establishes compliance deadlines for implementing these new provisions. One of these changes requires all public transit agencies update their ASP to include de-escalation or assault prevention training. OCTS provides its staff the following resource to obtain the necessary training:  Federal Transit Administration (FTA) - Assault Awareness and Prevention for Transit Operators 80 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan X. Additional Information Supporting Documents This PTASP was developed from information in other Orange County Public Transportation documents, policies and procedures and manuals. Those documents are listed below:  Orange County Public Transportation Employee Handbook  Safety and Security Plan (SSP)  Vehicle Maintenance Plan  Facility Maintenance Plan  Training Manual 81 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan XI. Definitions in ASP Term Definition Accountable Executive A single, identifiable person who has ultimate responsibility for carrying out the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan of a public transportation agency; responsibility for carrying out the agency's Transit Asset Management Plan; and control or direction over the human and capital resources needed to develop and maintain both the agency's Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 5329(d), and the agency's Transit Asset Management Plan, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 5326. Accident An event that involves any of the following: a loss of life; a report of a serious injury to a person; a collision of public transportation vehicles; or an evacuation for life safety reasons, at any location, at any time, whatever the cause. Hazard Any real or potential condition that can cause injury, illness, or death; damage to or loss of the facilities, equipment, rolling stock, or infrastructure belonging to OCTS; or damage to the environment. Risk Composite of predicted severity and likelihood of the potential effect of a hazard. Risk Mitigation Method(s) to eliminate or reduce the effects of hazards. Safety Assurance Processes within a transit agency's Safety Management System that function to ensure the implementation and effectiveness of safety risk mitigation, and to ensure that the transit agency meets or exceeds its safety objectives through the collection, analysis, and assessment of information. Safety Event Is any accident, safety incident or safety occurrence (defined below). Safety Incident An event that involves any of the following: a personal injury that is not a serious injury; one or more injuries requiring medical transport; or damage to facilities, equipment, rolling stock, or infrastructure that disrupts transit operations. 82 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan Safety Management Policy A transit agency's documented commitment to safety, which defines the transit agency's safety objectives and the accountabilities and responsibilities of its employees in regard to safety. Safety Management System The formal, top-down, organization-wide approach to managing safety risk and assuring the effectiveness of a transit agency's safety risk mitigation. SMS includes systematic procedures, practices, and policies for managing risks and hazards. Safety Occurrence An event without any personal injury in which any damage to facilities, equipment, rolling stock, or infrastructure does not disrupt transit operations. Safety Performance Target A performance target related to safety management activities. Safety Promotion A combination of training and communication of safety information to support SMS as applied to the transit agency's public transportation system. Safety Risk Assessment The formal activity whereby a transit agency determines Safety Risk Management priorities by establishing the significance or value of its safety risks. Safety Risk Management A process within a transit agency's Agency Safety Plan for identifying hazards and analyzing, assessing, and mitigating safety risk. Serious Injury Any injury which: (1) requires hospitalization for more than 48 hours, commencing within 7 days from the date the injury was received; (2) results in a fracture of any bone (except simple fractures of fingers, toes, or noses); (3) causes severe hemorrhages, nerve, muscle, or tendon damage; (4) involves any internal organ; or (5) involves second- or third-degree burns, or any burns affecting more than 5 percent of the body surface. 83 Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan XII. List of Acronyms Acronym Word or Phrase ASP Agency Safety Plan CFR Code of Federal Regulations ESRP Employee Safety Reporting Program FTA Federal Transit Administration MPO Metropolitan Planning Organization SMS Safety Management System SRM Safety Risk Management VRM Vehicle Revenue Miles 84 TIP/WBS # Description Let/Start Date Completion Date Cost Status Project Lead SS-4907BQ 44757.1.1 44757.2.1 44757.3.1 Intersection improvements (All Way Stop) at SR 1005 (Greensboro-Chapel Hill Road) at SR 2369 (Sylvan School Road) and SR 2371 (Pleasant Hill Road) in Snow Camp. 5/1/21 Jun. 2021 $22,500 R/W $153,000 CON 4-way stop installation and flasher completed 4/17/18, utility relocations complete, widening to be completed under resurfacing project in summer 2022 Derek Dixon 48798 Installation of crosswalks and pedestrian signals and update curb ramps at the intersection of US 70 (South Church Street) and Edgewood Avenue (non-system) in Burlington. 8/4/21 Jul. 2022 $150,394 Construction Underway - Signal upgrade completed, signal loops and pavement markings remain to be completed Dawn McPherson Derek Dixon W-5807B 48952.1.3 48952.2.3 48952.3.3 Installation of ADA curb ramps and pedestrian accessible signals on SR 1301 (Boone Station Drive) at SR 1301 (St. Marks Church Road) and Boone Station Drive (non-system) at Glidewell Road/Tiki Lane (non-system) in Burlington Oct. 2021 FY2022 $75,000 PE funds scheduled to be released 2/2/21 - Construction Underway - All work completed aside from APS at Boone Station Drive Dawn McPherson Chad Reimakoski B-5728 45684.1.1 45684.2.1 45684.3.1 Replace Bridge #112 over Reedy Fork Creek on NC87 in Ossipee 4/19/22 FY2025 $6,200,000 Planning and design activities complete - Contract execution in process Kevin Fischer U-6010 47145.1.1 47145.2.1 47145.3.1 Intersection improvements at US 70 (South Church Street) and SR 1226/SR 1311 (University Drive) in Burlington 4/19/22 FY 2024 $8,400,000 Planning and design activities underway, ROW acquisition complete, Utility relocations underway - Contract execution in process Brian Ketner 47786 SM-5707B 47903.2.1 Intersection improvements on SR 1007 (Mebane Oaks Rd) at SR 2126/2128 (Old Hillsborough Rd) south of Mebane. Improvements include addition of left and right turn lanes, radii widening, signal installation, resurfacing, and pavement markings. 7/1/2022 4/27/2022 Aug. 2022 $898,500 Design complete, ROW complete Chad Reimakoski Derek Dixon SS-6007AE 49822.1.1 49822.3.1 Convert intersection from two way stop to all way stop at SR 1005 (E. Greensboro Chapel Hill Road) at SR 2351 (Bethel South Fork Road) in Snow Camp. 3/9/2022 Jun. 2022 FY2023 $30,000 Planning and design activities underway - installation of all way stop installed 3/9/2022, Pending final inspection Dawn McPherson NCDOT PROJECTS LOCATED IN BGUMPO - UNDER DEVELOPMENT Page 1 BGUMPO May 2022 85 TIP/WBS # Description Let/Start Date Completion Date Cost Status Project Lead NCDOT PROJECTS LOCATED IN BGUMPO - UNDER DEVELOPMENT W-5707D 44853.1.4 44853.2.4 44853.3.4 Safety Improvements to curve on NC 49 located between Buckingham Mountain Road and SR 2363 (Beale Road) in Snow Camp 6/16/22 Nov. 2022 $450,000 Planning and design activities underway; ROW acquisition underway Chad Reimakoski U-6017 47162.1.1 47162.2.1 47162.3.1 Intersection improvements at NC 54 (East Harden St.) and NC 49 (East Elm St.) in Graham 6/15/23 FY2025 $2,100,000 Planning and design activities underway - ROW underway Rob Weisz U-6013 47158.1.4 47158.2.4 47158.3.4 Widen NC 119 to multi-lanes from SR 1981 (Trollingwood- Hawfields Rd)/ SR 2126 (Old Hillsborough Rd) to Lowes Blvd (non-system) in Mebane. 12/19/23 FY2026 $6,200,000 Planning and design activities underway, ROW beginning underway Rob Weisz U-6011 47146.1.1 47146.2.1 47146.3.1 Intersection improvements at US 70 (South Church Street) and SR 1158 (Huffman Mill Rd) in Burlington 8/20/24 FY2026 $2,400,000 Planning and design activities underway - ROW acquisition pending Brian Ketner U-5844 50234.1.1 50234.2.1 50234.3.1 Construct multi-lanes on NC62 from SR 1430 (Ramada Road) to US 70 (South Church Street) in Burlington 3/18/25 FY2028 $10,000,000 Planning and design activities underway Rob Weisz U-6014 47159.1.1 47159.2.1 47159.3.1 Widen SR 1716 (Graham-Hopedale Rd) to multi-lanes with Bicycle/Pedestrian accommodations from SR 1720 (West Hanover Rd) to Morningside Drive in Burlington 3/18/25 FY2027 $13,200,000 Planning and design activities underway, Includes EB-5882 Rob Weisz B-6052 48709.1.1 48709.2.1 48709.3.1 Replace bridge 68 over NCRR / Norfolk Southern Railroad on SR 1928 (Trollingwood Road) in Haw River 1/20/26 FY2027 $2,500,000 PE funding approved 5/6/19 Kevin Fischer I-6009 47962.1.1 47962.2.1 47962.3.1 Interchange improvements at I-40/I-85 and SR 1158 (Huffman Mill Road). Construct additional right turn lane on I-40 WB Ramp and improve operations at SR 1308 (Garden Road) intersection in Burlington 6/27/29 FY2031 $936,000 PE funding approved 6/5/18 Brian Ketner Page 2 BGUMPO May 2022 86 TIP/WBS # Description Let/Start Date Completion Date Cost Status Project Lead NCDOT PROJECTS LOCATED IN BGUMPO - UNDER DEVELOPMENT U-6009 47144.1.1 47144.2.1 47144.3.1 Widen and construct center turn lane on US70 (West Church St) from Tarleton Ave. to Fifth Street in Burlington 1/1/40 FY2040 $6,337,000 Planning and design activities on hold Rob Weisz I-6059 48689.1.1 48689.2.1 48689.3.1 Interchange improvements at I-40/I-85 and SR 1981 (Trollingwood-Hawfields Road) in Mebane 1/1/40 FY2040 $12,400,000 PE funding scheduled for 12/4/24 Laura Sutton Page 3 BGUMPO May 2022 87 5/6/2022 North Carolina Department of Transportation Active Projects Under Construction - Alamance Co. Contract Number TIP Number Location Description Contractor Name Resident Engineer Contract Bid Amount Availability Date Completion Date Work Start Date Estimated Completion Date Progress Schedule Percent Completion Percent C203844 U-3109A NC-119 RELOCATION FROM I-40/85 TO SR-1921 (MEBANE ROGERS RD/ STAGE COACH RD). THALLE CONSTRUCTION CO., INC. Howell, Bobby J $45,389,069.36 6/26/2017 1/28/2021 8/3/2017 5/31/2022 100.00 99.93 C204106 U-3109B NC-119 RELOCATION NORTH OF SR-1921 (MEBANE ROGERS RD) TO SOUTH OF SR-1918 (MRS WHITE RD). THALLE CONSTRUCTION CO., INC. Howell, Bobby J $8,151,660.80 8/27/2018 11/28/2020 10/4/2018 5/15/2022 100.00 87.30 C204111 U-6015 BURLINGTON - GRAHAM SIGNAL SYSTEM ALS OF NORTH CAROLINA LLC Howell, Bobby J $7,938,392.20 10/29/2018 8/15/2021 2/11/2019 5/31/2022 100.00 93.50 C204603 I-5711 I-40/I-85 AND SR 1007 (MEBANE OAKS ROAD) IN MEBANE INTERCHANGE IMPROVEMENTS ZACHRY CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION Howell, Bobby J $12,865,732.71 4/26/2021 1/11/2024 4/26/2021 1/11/2024 33.00 34.34 C204626 RESURFACE 1 SECTION OF NC 87, 1 SECTION OF NC 49 AND 21 SECTIONS OF SECONDARY ROADS FSC II LLC DBA FRED SMITH COMPANY Lorenz, PE, Kris $4,639,570.37 6/3/2021 11/1/2022 6/28/2021 11/1/2022 52.10 15.36 DG00407 REPLACE BRIDGE #444 ON SR 1768 (HUGHES MILL ROAD) OVER JORDAN CREEK SMITH-ROWE, LLC Howell, Bobby J $620,550.15 6/3/2021 8/31/2022 9/23/2021 7/31/2022 54.00 99.75 DG00511 REPLACE BRIDGE #173 ON SR 1149 (HUFFMAN MILL ROAD) OVER BACK CREEK R.E. BURNS & SONS CO., INC. Snell, PE, William H $2,106,851.45 5/3/2021 10/25/2022 5/3/2021 10/25/2022 90.00 53.54 DG00520 R-5787F INSTALLATION OF ADA COMPLIANT CURB RAMPS AT VARIOUS ROUTES DOT CONSTRUCTION INC Howell, Bobby J $1,271,240.40 5/10/2021 4/14/2023 1/25/2022 4/14/2023 15.90 17.69 DG00521 REPLACE BRIDGE #164 ON SR 1113 (KIMESVILLE ROAD) OVER NORTH PRONG STINKING QUARTER CREEK FSC II LLC DBA FRED SMITH COMPANY Hayes, PE, Meredith D $1,418,242.53 6/21/2021 11/18/2021 6/21/2018 5/31/2022 100.00 100.00 DG00523 REPLACE BRIDGE #128 ON SR 2369 (SYLVAN ROAD) OVER CANE CREEK FSC II LLC DBA FRED SMITH COMPANY Hayes, PE, Meredith D $963,820.60 5/24/2021 8/22/2021 6/10/2021 5/31/2022 100.00 94.64 DG00527 HS-2007C PLACEMENT OF THERMOPLASTIC PAVEMENT MARKING LINES ON VARIOUS SECONDARY ROADS THROUGHOUT THE DIVISION TMI SERVICES INC.Cvijetic, PE, Bojan $1,358,289.72 8/16/2021 12/31/2022 DG00553 RESURFACE THREE SECTIONS OF SECONDARY ROADS IN ALAMANCE COUNTY SHARPE BROTHERS A DIVISION OF VECELLIO & GROGAN, INC. Hayes, PE, Meredith D $2,739,764.39 4/1/2022 6/30/2022 3/10/2022 6/30/2023 15.00 16.86 DG00556 REPLACE BRIDGE #003 ON SR 1529 (DURHAM STREET EXT.) OVER DRY CREEK R.E. BURNS & SONS CO., INC. Howell, Bobby J $789,559.95 4/19/2022 2/12/2022 4/19/2022 DG00559 RESURFACE A SECTION OF NC 100, NC 49, US 70 & 3 SECONDARY ROADS IN ALAMANCE COUNTY BOGGS CONTRACTING, INC Howell, Bobby J $2,740,478.60 5/1/2022 6/30/2022 Page 1 of 1 88 TIP/WBS # Description LET/Start Date Completion Date Cost Status Project Lead SS-6007AD 49823.1.1 49823.3.1 Convert intersection from two way stop to all way stop at the intersection of SR 1710 (Old NC 10) and SR 1712 (University Station Road) west of Durham 5/31/2022 Sep. 2022 $28,000 Planning and design activities underway. Scheduled for installation on 5/11/22, pending weather. Dawn McPherson SS-4907CD 47936.1.1 47936.2.1 47936.3.1 Horizontal curve improvements on SR 1710 (Old NC 10) west of SR 1561/SR 1709 (Lawrence Road) east of Hillsborough. Improvements consist of wedging pavement and grading shoulders. 6/1/2022 Nov. 2022 $261,000 Planning and Design activities currently on hold - Project shelved due to minimal crash rate during observation period. To be resubmitted for federal funding. Chad Reimakoski P-5701 46395.1.1 46395.3.1 Construct Platform, Passenger Rail Station Building at Milepost 41.7 Norfolk Southern H-line in Hillsborough 6/30/2023 6/30/2022 FY2025 FY2024 $7,200,000 PE funding scheduled 7/1/2020 Matthew Simmons SS-6207A 50337 NC 54 Pedestrian improvements between SR 1902 (Manning Drive) and SR 1937 (Old Fayetteville Road) in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Improvements will include refuge islands, crosswalks and pedestrian signals. Improvements to be completed by state forces. 10/31/2022 6/30/2023 $171,000 Planning and design activities underway.Dawn McPherson BL-0044 49998.1.1 NC 54 from Westbrook Drive in Carrboro to west of US 15/501/NC 86 (South Columbia Street) interchange in Chapel Hill. Construct sidewalk and install pedestrian signals, crosswalks, and refuge islands at selected locations. 2/16/2023 2/28/2024 $1,311,000 Planning and design activities underway.Chad Reimakoski I-5958 45910.1.1 45910.3.1 Pavement Rehabilitation on I-40/I-85 from West of SR 1114 (Buckhorn Road) to West of SR 1006 (Orange Grove Road) 11/17/2026 FY2028 $8,690,000 PE funding approved 10/10/17 Chad Reimakoski I-5967 45917.1.1 45917.2.1 45917.3.1 Interchange improvements at I-85 and SR 1009 (South Churton Street) in Hillsborough 10/19/2027 FY2030 $16,900,000 PE funding approved 9/8/17, Planning and Design activities underway, Coordinate with I-0305 and U-5845 Laura Sutton NCDOT DIV 7 PROJECTS LOCATED IN DCHCMPO - UNDER DEVELOPMENT Page 1 DCHCMPO Jul. 2022 89 TIP/WBS # Description LET/Start Date Completion Date Cost Status Project Lead NCDOT DIV 7 PROJECTS LOCATED IN DCHCMPO - UNDER DEVELOPMENT I-5959 45911.1.1 45911.3.1 Pavement Rehabilitation on I-85 from West of SR 1006 (Orange Grove Road) to Durham County line 11/16/2027 FY2029 $11,156,000 PE funding approved 10/10/17, Coordinate with I-5967, I-5984 and I-0305 Chad Reimakoski R-5821A 47093.1.2 47093.2.2 47093.3.2 Construct operational improvements including Bicycle/Pedestrian accommodations on NC 54 from SR 1006 (Orange Grove Road) to SR 1107 /SR 1937 (Old Fayetteville Road). 6/20/2028 FY2031 $7,000,000 PE funding approved 10/10/17, design activities currently suspended, Coordinating with NC54 West Corridor Study Rob Weisz U-5845 50235.1.1 50235.2.1 50235.3.1 Widen SR 1009 (South Churton Street) to multi-lanes from I- 40 to Eno River in Hillsborough 7/18/2028 FY2031 $49,238,000 PE funding approved 5/14/15, Planning and Design activities underway, Coordinate with I-5967 Laura Sutton I-5984 47530.1.1 47530.2.1 47530.3.1 Interchange improvements at I-85 and NC 86 in Hillsborough 11/21/2028 FY2031 $20,900,000 PE funding approved 10/10/17, Planning and Design activities underway, Coordinate with I-0305 and I-5959 Laura Sutton I-0305 34142.1.2 34142.2.2 34142.3.2 Widening of I-85 from west of SR1006 (Orange Grove Road) in Orange Co. to west of SR 1400 (Sparger Road) in Orange Co. 1/1/2040 FY2044 $132,000,000 PE funding approved 6/5/18, Planning and design activities underway, Project reinstated per 2020-2029 STIP (funded project) and delete project I-5983 Laura Sutton Page 2 DCHCMPO Jul. 2022 90 North Carolina Department of Transportation 7/14/2022 Active Projects Under Construction - Orange Co. Contract Number TIP Number Location Description Contractor Name Resident Engineer Contract Bid Amount Availability Date Completion Date Work Start Date Estimated Completion Date Progress Schedule Percent Completion Percent C202581 EB-4707A IMPROVEMENTS ON SR-1838/SR-2220 FROM US-15/501 IN ORANGE COUNTY TO SR-1113 IN DURHAM COUNTY. DIVISION 5 S T WOOTEN CORPORATION Nordan, PE, James M $4,614,460.00 5/28/2019 2/15/2021 5/28/2019 6/12/2022 100 88.81 C204078 B-4962 REPLACE BRIDGE #46 OVER ENO RIVER ON US-70 BYPASS.CONTI ENTERPRISES, INC Howell, Bobby J $4,863,757.00 5/28/2019 12/28/2021 6/19/2019 12/28/2021 84.31 98 C204632 I-3306A WIDENING I-40 FROM I-85 IN ORANGE COUNTY TO THE DURHAM COUNTY LINE AND I-40 WESTBOUND IN DURHAM COUNTY NEAR US-15/501. THE LANE CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION Cvijetic, PE, Bojan $236,457,869.00 9/27/2021 9/1/2025 10/28/2021 9/1/2025 9.98 9.98 C204674 RESURFACING 35 SECTIONS OF SECONDARY ROADS IN DURHAM COUNTY. FSC II LLC DBA FRED SMITH COMPANY Nordan, PE, James M $3,308,745.60 3/1/2022 9/29/2023 3/1/2022 9/29/2023 61.88 86.71 DG00483 RESURFACE SR 1010 (MAIN STREET/FRANKLIN STREET) FROM SR 1005 (JONES FERRY ROAD) TO NC 86 (COLUMBIA STREET) CAROLINA SUNROCK LLC Howell, Bobby J $845,631.59 5/18/2019 8/7/2020 5/23/2022 6/30/2022 20 18.71 DG00520 R-5787F INSTALLATION OF ADA COMPLIANT CURB RAMPS AT VARIOUS ROUTES DOT CONSTRUCTION INC Howell, Bobby J $1,271,240.40 5/10/2021 4/14/2023 1/25/2022 4/14/2023 21.57 21.76 DG00527 HS-2007C PLACEMENT OF THERMOPLASTIC PAVEMENT MARKING LINES ON VARIOUS SECONDARY ROADS THROUGHOUT THE DIVISION TMI SERVICES INC.Cvijetic, PE, Bojan $1,358,289.72 8/16/2021 12/31/2022 5/18/2022 6/15/2022 1.35 1.35 DG00534 REPLACE BRIDGE #99 OVER NEW HOPE CREEK ON SR 1723 (NEW HOPE CHURCH ROAD) CONTI ENTERPRISES, INC Howell, Bobby J $1,108,442.00 1/3/2022 11/3/2022 5/9/2022 11/30/2022 81.51 31.68 DG00547 RESURFACE A SECTION OF NC 49 & 6 SECONDARY ROADS IN ORANGE COUNTY FSC II LLC DBA FRED SMITH COMPANY Howell, Bobby J $4,299,745.38 4/1/2022 10/31/2022 4/1/2022 10/31/2022 57 84.28 DG00550 AST TREATMENT OF 32 SECONDARY ROADS IN ORANGE COUNTY WHITEHURST PAVING CO INC. Howell, Bobby J $1,840,813.26 4/1/2022 10/31/2022 DG00554 RESURFACE A SECTION OF NC 54 & 14 SECONDARY ROADS IN ORANGE COUNTY FSC II LLC DBA FRED SMITH COMPANY Howell, Bobby J $3,755,101.19 4/1/2022 10/31/2022 4/28/2022 10/31/2022 42 41.52 Page 1 of 1 91 TIP/WBS # Description Let/Start Date Completion Date Cost Status Project Lead SS-4907CD 47936.1.1 47936.2.1 47936.3.1 Horizontal curve improvements on SR 1710 (Old NC 10) west of SR 1561/SR 1709 (Lawrence Road) east of Hillsborough. Improvements consist of wedging pavement and grading shoulders. Jun. 2022 Nov. 2022 $261,000 Planning and Design activities currently on hold - Project shelved due to minimal crash rate during observation period. To be resubmitted for federal funding. Chad Reimakoski I-5958 45910.1.1 45910.3.1 Pavement rehabilitation on I-40 / I-85 from west of SR 1114 (Buckhorn Road) to west of SR 1006 (Orange Grove Road). 11/17/26 FY 2028 $8,690,000 Planning activities pending Chad Reimakoski I-5959 45911.1.1 45911.3.1 Pavement rehabilitation on I-85 from west of SR 1006 (Orange Grove Road) to Durham County line. 11/16/27 FY2029 $11,156,000 Planning activities pending Chad Reimakoski R-5821A 47093.1.2 47093.2.2 47093.3.2 Construct operational improvements including Bicycle/Pedestrian accommodations on NC 54 from SR 1006 (Orange Grove Road) to SR 1107 /SR 1937 (Old Fayetteville Road). 6/20/28 FY2030 $3,194,000 PE funding approved 10/10/17, design activities currently suspended, Coordinating with NC54 West Corridor Study Rob Weisz NCDOT DIV 7 PROJECTS LOCATED IN TARPO - UNDER DEVELOPMENT Page 1 TARPO-Orange Co Jun. 2022 92 North Carolina Department of Transportation 6/1/2022 Active Projects Under Construction - Orange Co. Contract Number TIP Number Location Description Contractor Name Resident Engineer Contract Bid Amount Availability Date Completion Date Work Start Date Estimated Completion Date Progress Schedule Percent Completion Percent C202581 EB-4707A IMPROVEMENTS ON SR-1838/SR-2220 FROM US-15/501 IN ORANGE COUNTY TO SR-1113 IN DURHAM COUNTY. DIVISION 5 S T WOOTEN CORPORATION Nordan, PE, James M $4,614,460.00 5/28/2019 2/15/2021 5/28/2019 6/12/2022 100 87.73 C204078 B-4962 REPLACE BRIDGE #46 OVER ENO RIVER ON US-70 BYPASS.CONTI ENTERPRISES, INC Howell, Bobby J $4,863,757.00 5/28/2019 12/28/2021 6/19/2019 12/28/2021 84.31 98 C204632 I-3306A WIDENING I-40 FROM I-85 IN ORANGE COUNTY TO THE DURHAM COUNTY LINE AND I-40 WESTBOUND IN DURHAM COUNTY NEAR US- 15/501. THE LANE CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION Cvijetic, PE, Bojan $236,457,869.00 9/27/2021 9/1/2025 10/28/2021 9/1/2025 8.13 8.13 C204674 RESURFACING 35 SECTIONS OF SECONDARY ROADS IN DURHAM COUNTY. FSC II LLC DBA FRED SMITH COMPANY Nordan, PE, James M $3,308,745.60 3/1/2022 9/29/2023 3/1/2022 9/29/2023 61.88 69.72 DG00483 RESURFACE SR 1010 (MAIN STREET/FRANKLIN STREET) FROM SR 1005 (JONES FERRY ROAD) TO NC 86 (COLUMBIA STREET) CAROLINA SUNROCK LLC Howell, Bobby J $845,631.59 5/18/2019 8/7/2020 5/23/2022 DG00485 U-5846 SR 1772 (GREENSBORO STREET) AT SR 1780 (ESTES DRIVE), CONSTRUCT ROUNDABOUT FSC II LLC DBA FRED SMITH COMPANY Howell, Bobby J $3,375,611.30 5/28/2019 3/1/2022 7/29/2019 6/10/2022 96 99.96 DG00520 R-5787F INSTALLATION OF ADA COMPLIANT CURB RAMPS AT VARIOUS ROUTES DOT CONSTRUCTION INC Howell, Bobby J $1,271,240.40 5/10/2021 4/14/2023 1/25/2022 4/14/2023 21.57 21.76 DG00527 HS-2007C PLACEMENT OF THERMOPLASTIC PAVEMENT MARKING LINES ON VARIOUS SECONDARY ROADS THROUGHOUT THE DIVISION TMI SERVICES INC.Cvijetic, PE, Bojan $1,358,289.72 8/16/2021 12/31/2022 DG00534 REPLACE BRIDGE #99 OVER NEW HOPE CREEK ON SR 1723 (NEW HOPE CHURCH ROAD) CONTI ENTERPRISES, INC Howell, Bobby J $1,108,442.00 1/3/2022 11/30/2022 5/9/2022 DG00547 RESURFACE A SECTION OF NC 49 & 6 SECONDARY ROADS IN ORANGE COUNTY FSC II LLC DBA FRED SMITH COMPANY Howell, Bobby J $4,299,745.38 4/1/2022 10/31/2022 4/1/2022 10/31/2022 14 44.4 DG00550 AST TREATMENT OF 32 SECONDARY ROUTES IN ORANGE COUNTY WHITEHURST PAVING CO. INC. Howell, Bobby J $1,840,813.26 4/1/2022 10/31/2022 DG00554 RESURFACE A SECTION OF NC 54 & 14 SECONDARY ROADS IN ORANGE COUNTY FSC II LLC DBA FRED SMITH COMPANY Howell, Bobby J $3,755,101.19 4/1/2022 10/31/2022 4/28/2022 10/31/2022 1.4 5.48 Page 1 of 1 93