HomeMy Public PortalAbout02 February 10, 2005 Citizens' Advisory-7o 7q4
RECORDS
RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTA TION COMMISSION
CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE/
SOCIAL SERVICES TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
www. rctc. org
AGENDA *
*Actions may be taken on any item listed on the agenda
11:30 A.M.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER
4080 Lemon Street, Riverside, CA 92501
Conference Room A, 3'd Floor
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Government Code Section
54954.2, if you need special assistance to participate in a Commission meeting, please
contact the clerk of the Commission at (951) 787-7141. Notification of at least 48 hours
prior to meeting time will assist staff in assuring that reasonable arrangements can be made
to provide accessibility at the meeting.
PLEASE NOTE: The Chairperson of the CAC/SSTAC kindly
requests that cell phones be turned off during the meeting.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
5. ADDITIONS/REVISIONS (The CAC/SSTAC may add an item to the agenda
after making a finding that there is a need to take immediate action on the
item and that the item came to the attention of the CAC/SSTAC subsequent
to the posting of the agenda. An action adding an item to the agenda
requires 2/3 vote of the Committee. If there are less than 2/3 of the
CAC/SSTAC members present, adding an item to the agenda requires a
unanimous vote. Added items will be placed for discussion at the end of the
agenda.)
11 (c'.WU
Riverside County Transportation Commission Agenda
February 10, 2005
Page 2
6. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
7. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. CAC/SSTAC Committee Member Roster (Tanya Love)
B. RCTC Commission Member Roster (Naty Kopenhaver)
8. CAC/SSTAC COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Overview
Pg. 1
Pg. 7
This item is to appoint CAC/SSTAC members to serve on the following
committees:
• Unmet Transit Needs Hearing: Appoint one member to attend and be a
member of the hearing board at the Unmet Transit Needs Hearing in
Blythe on March 3, 2005.
• SB 821 Evaluation Committee: Appoint three members to review and
score applications. Timeframe: SB 821 applications are due in May
and review of the applications is expected to be in June.
• FTA's Section 5310 Program: Appoint three members to review and
score applications on March 14, 2005, 9:00 to 12 noon.
9. COMMITTEE CALENDAR FOR THE YEAR
Pg. 10
Overview
The proposed meeting schedule is presented for discussion and approval.
10. WESTERN RIVERSIDE RAIL FEASIBILITY STUDY
Pg. 11
Overview
This item is for the CAC/SSTAC to receive and file the presentation on the
Western Riverside County Commuter Rail Feasibility Study.
Riverside County Transportation Commission Agenda
February 10, 2005
Page 3
11. DEMONSTRATION OF COMMUTESMART.INFO WEBSITE
Pg. 14
Overview
This item is for the CAC/SSTAC to receive and file the demonstration of a
new website, CommuteSmart.info, recently launched to serve commuters
and employers throughout a five county region.
12. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS AND INFORMATION
Overview
This item provides the opportunity for the Committee Members to report on
attended and upcoming meetings/conferences and issues related to
Committee activities.
13. ADJOURNMENT
The next Citizens' Advisory Committee/Social Services Transportation
Advisory Council meeting is scheduled to be held at 11:30 A.M., Thursday,
May 12, 2005, Riverside County Transportation Commission, County
Administrative Center, 4080 Lemon Street, Riverside, CA 92501, 3rd Floor,
Conference Room A.
MINUTES
RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE/
SOCIAL SERVICES TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Minutes
August 12, 2004
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Citizens' Advisory Committee/Social Services Transportation Advisory
Council was called to order by Judy Nieburger at 11:40 A.M. at the Riverside
County Transportation Commission Offices, 4080 Lemon Street, Riverside,
California 92501.
Members Present
Peter Benavidez
Judy Nieburger
Andrea Puga
Cindy Scheirer
Members Absent
Jim Collins
Judylynn Gries
Leslie Grosjean
Mike Pistilli
Sherry Thibodeaux
Mary Venerable
Also in Attendance:
Todd Baker
Shirley Gooding
Dennis Green
Tanya Love
Mike Sneider
2. ROLL CALL
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Andrea Puga indicated that the May 13, 2004 Minutes erroneously indicated
that she represents the City of Moreno Valley.
5. ADDITIONS/REVISIONS
There were no additions/revisions to the agenda.
Citizens' Advisory Committee/
Social Services Transportation Advisory Council
August 12, 2004
Page 2
6. MEASURE "A" SPECIALIZED TRANSIT TAXI DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM
Tanya Love, RCTC, provided a Power Point presentation of the taxi
demonstration program. The taxi program is available for western Riverside
County residents only as it is funded by Measure "A" Specialized Transit Funds.
There are five public transit operators in Western Riverside County: Banning,
Beaumont, Corona, Riverside Special Services and the Riverside Transit Agency.
The majority of the public bus agencies provide both fixed route and dial -a -ride
services. Only areas currently provided public transit services are served by the
taxi demonstration program. Approximately 21,000 one-way taxi trips have
been provided since the inception of the program in October, 2003.
Todd Baker, Diversified Paratransit, provided an Origin and Destination Report of
the taxi trips. Taxi drivers are monitored to be sure they are in uniform.
Additionally, he reviews taxi maintenance records and observes the taxis to
ensure that they are clean and well kept.
Mr. Baker advised that residents participating in the taxi demonstration program
do not know if they will be picked up by a taxi or a traditional paratransit
vehicle. Scheduling is done based on efficiency, including cost of trip,
availability of capital resources as well as trip distance. Ms. Love advised that
approximately 10% of the trips are shared rides.
In response to a query by Peter Benavidez, Blindness Support Services, Ms.
Love stated that passengers per hour range from 1.9 to 4.5 on the public dial -a -
ride system. On time performance, regardless of who is providing the service,
continues to be a problem in Riverside County.
Judy Nieburger asked if the taxi demonstration program would work well with
the TRIP program. Ms. Love stated that the decision would be a policy decision
but that it would be a good idea to explore. She further stated that she would
like to see the program funded utilizing traditional transit funds.
7. OVERVIEW OF CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES ON THE 60/91/215
INTERCHANGE
Dennis Green, Caltrans District 8 Construction Liaison, provided an extensive
overview of freeway construction. He cited the 215 Freeway from Moreno
Citizens' Advisory Committee/
Social Services Transportation Advisory Council
August 12, 2004
Page 3
Valley to the 91 Freeway towards Corona as an example of substantial
construction. The loop that one would ordinarily use has been removed and in
its place will be the longest flyover connectors in the State of California. The
connectors will be over 7,000' long and 70' high starting at about Chicago
Avenue and continuing at that height over Spruce Street and slope back down
about Mulberry on the 91 Freeway going westbound. Work on the connector
has already started.
He highlighted other ongoing construction projects, including the proposed new
eastbound 91 offramp at La Cadena which will serve the Spruce Street area; a
truck bypass from Box Springs eastbound at Farrow Drive or southbound at
215; a new interchange at Martin Luther King, new access for UCR at Canyon
Crest; all overcrossings at Route 215 will have at standard vertical clearance.
A brochure summarizing the 1-15 Devore pavement rehabilitation project from
Sierra Avenue to Interstate 215 Junction was distributed. The brochure
outlined a schedule of lane closures starting September 13 through November
18, 2004. In addition, he provided a brochure summarizing the 60/91/215
Freeway Improvement Project.
Mr. Green introduced Mike Sneider, Caltrans' Engineer, who answered various
technical construction questions.
He recommended viewing the Caltrans' website www.dot.ca.gov/dist8 for
information regarding road closures and schedules.
8. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS AND INFORMATION
Peter Benavidez announced that regarding the lawsuit against the Secretary of
State to utilize accessible electronic voting machines, in a 19 page document
the court has sided with the Secretary of State to discontinue use of the voting
machines in Riverside citing, in part, reliability and safety issues. A paper
system will be used in the next election. An appeal is currently being
discussed.
Citizens' Advisory Committee/
Social Services Transportation Advisory Council
August 12, 2004
Page 4
9. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business for consideration by the Citizens' Advisory
Committee/Social Services Transportation Advisory Council, the meeting
adjourned at 1:20 P.M. The next meeting is scheduled for 11:30 A.M.,
February 10, 2005 at the Riverside County Transportation Commission, 4080
Lemon Street, Riverside 92501.
Respectfully submitted,
3 C3
Tanya Lo e
Program Manager
A(1)/e-
AGENDA ITEM 7
RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
CITIZEN'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER ROSTER
Effective: January, 2005
Name/Area Represented _ Categorical Membership
I Term Date
Qualifications
Jim Collins
Indio
Potential transit user who is
60 years of age or older
2
Expires 1/07
Previous CAC/SSTAC
member
Peter Benavidez
Riverside
Potential transit user who is
disabled
2
Expires 1/07
Previous CAC/SSTAC
member
Judy Nieburger
Moreno Valley
Social service provider for
senior citizens/disabled
3
Expires 1/07
Past RCTC and
Metrolink member
Sherry Thibodeaux
Riverside
Social service provider for
persons of limited means
1
Expires 1/06
Interested in transit
issues. Works for the
Community Access
Center. Hosts support
groups for women with
disabilities and
domestic violence
cases.
Cindy Scheirer
Pedley
Community member
2
Expires 1/07
Involved in community
issues and has
attended Transportation
Now meetings
Andrea Puga
Corona
Community member
1
Expires 1/06
Past member of
RCTC, RTA and
Metrolink
Mike Pistilli
Pass Area Transit
Social service transportation
provider for the disabled/
limited means
3
Expires 1/07
Works for the City of
Beaumont transit service,
participates in the
Pass Area Transit
Study
Mary Venerable
Perris
Social service transportation
provider for elderly
1
Expires 1/06
Involved in community
issues and a member
of Lake Elsinore
Transportation Now
SunLine Transit Agency
Coachella Valley
Consolidated Transportation
Service Agency
3
Expires 1/07
SunLine Transit
Agency staff
Grant Bradshaw-RTA
Western Riverside
Consolidated Transportation
Service Agency
3
Expires 1/07
Riverside Transit
Agency staff
1
RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTA TION COMMISSION
DATE:
February 10, 2005
TO:
Citizens' Advisory Committee/Social Services Transportation
Advisory Council
FROM:
Naty Kopenhaver, Director of Administrative Services
SUBJECT:
Riverside County Transportation Commission Structure, Officers
and Membership for 2005
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
This item is to receive and file the report on the structure and membership of the
Riverside County Transportation Commission and its Committees.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Membership
SB 1851, approved in August 24, 1998, revised the membership of the
Commission from 8 members to 30 members as follows:
5 Members of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors;
1 Member from each incorporated city in Riverside County; (must be
either a major or city council member); and,
1 Non Voting member appointed by the Governor.
Commission Officers
In accordance to the Administrative Code, the Commission must annually hold an
election of officers. The officers of the Commission consist of the Chair, Vice
Chair, and Second Vice Chair. The Chair, the Vice Chair, and the Second Vice
Chair shall annually alternate between a regular member of the Commission
representing a city and a regular member of the Commission who is a member of
the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. During the year that the Chair is a
regular member of the Commission representing a city, the Vice Chair shall be a
regular member of the Commission who is a member of the Riverside County Board
of Supervisors, and the Second Vice Chair shall be a regular member of the
Commission representing a city. During the time in which the Chair is a regular
Commission member who is a member of the Riverside County Board of
Supervisors, the Vice Chair shall be a regular member of the Commission
representing a city, and the Second Vice Chair shall be a regular member of the
Commission who is a member of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. The
Vice Chair shall perform the duties of the Chair in the absence of the Chair and the
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Second Vice Chair shall perform the duties of the Chair in the absence of the Chair
and the Vice Chair. When so acting, the Vice Chair and Second Vice Chair shall
have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Chair.
For 2005, Robin Lowe, who represents the City of Hemet, is the Chair; Marion
Ashley, Riverside County Board of Supervisors, is the Vice Chair; and, and Terry
Henderson, who represents the City of La Quinta, is the Second Vice Chair.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is charged with evaluating and approving the Executive
Director's contract, staff salary and fringe benefit changes and office operations.
Ten Commissioners sit on the Executive Committee as follows: 1) Chair; 2) Vice
Chair; 3) Second Vice Chair; 4) Past Chair; 5) A Commissioner representing one of
the following cities: Riverside, Corona, Moreno Valley; 6) A Commissioner
representing one of the following cities: Banning, Beaumont, Calimesa, Canyon
Lake, Hemet, Lake Elsinore, Murrieta, Norco, Perris, San Jacinto, and Temecula; 7)
A Commissioner representing one of the following cities: Blythe, Cathedral City,
Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Palm
Springs and Rancho Mirage; and, 8) Three Riverside County Board of Supervisors.
With the exception of the Chair, Vice Chair, and the Second Vice Chair, the term of
the Executive Committee members is two years.
This year, the Executive Committee members are Robin Lowe, Marion Ashley,
Terry Henderson, Jeff Miller, Chris Buydos, Mike Wilson, Bob Buster, Jeff Stone,
John Tavaglione, and Roy Wilson.
Committees
There are three major Committees that review items prior to Commission approval
— Budget and Implementation Committee, Plans and Programs Committee, and
Transit Policy Committee. Each year, the newly elected Chair appoints membership
to the Committees.
The Budget and Implementation Committee reviews budget development and
oversight, strategic plan, legislation, Measure "A" implementation and capital
programs, public communications and outreach programs, competitive grant
programs such the TEA 21 — CMAQ and Surface Transportation Program,
transportation enhancement and SB 821 Bicycle and Pedestrian, property
management, Service for Freeway Emergencies/Freeway Service Patrol, and other
areas that may be prescribed by the Commission.
The Plans and Programs Committee reviews items relating to the State
Transportation Improvement Program, Regional Transportation Improvement
3
Program, new corridors, intermodal programs such as transit, rail, rideshare, air
quality and clean fuels, regional agencies/regional planning, intelligent
transportation system planning and programs, congestion management program,
and other areas that may be prescribed by the Commission.
The most recently formed Committee is the Transit Policy Committee. The
Committee was formed as a result of the Triennial Performance Audit that was
completed last year. The Committee is charged with making recommendations
regarding policy directions to prepare transit vision and to bring regional perspective
to transit, monitor transit implementation, and review performance of transit
operators and their services.
In addition to appointing membership to the Commission's in-house Committees
and Ad Hoc Committees, the Chair also appoints the Commission's
representative(s) to other agency board and committees. Some boards and
committees include the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink),
South Coast Air Quality Management District Mobile Source Review Committee, Bi
County (Riverside/Orange) Toll Road Ad Hoc Committee and Major Investment
Study Ad Hoc Committee, Regional Transportation Agencies Consortium, SCAG
Transportation and Communications Committee, and High Speed Rail Ad Hoc Task
Force.
For information, attached are the membership rosters of the Budget and
Implementation Committee, Plans and Programs Committee and the Transit Policy
Committee.
4
BUDGET AND IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE
Barbara Hanna / Art Welch Banning
Roger Berg / Jeff Fox Beaumont
Robert Crain / George Thomas Blythe
Gregory S. Pettis / Paul Marchand Cathedral City
Juan DeLara / Richard Macknicki Coachella
Matt Weyuker / Henry Hohenstein Desert Hot Springs
Terry Henderson* / Don Adolph La Quinta
Bob Magee** / Robert Schiffner Lake Elsinore
Kelly Seyarto / Jack van Haaster Murrieta
Ron Meepos / Harvey Gerber Rancho Mirage
Ameal Moore / Steve Adams Riverside
Chris Buydos / Jim Conner San Jacinto
Jeff Stone / Co of Riverside
John Tavaglione / Co of Riverside
*2004 Committee Chair
**2004 Committee Vice Chair
Election of Officers for 2005 was rescheduled to next meeting.
PLANS AND PROGRAMS COMMITTEE
Shenna Moqeet / John Chlebnik Calimesa
Mary Craton / John Zaitz Canyon Lake
Jeff Miller / Karen Spiegel Corona
Percy L. Byrd / Robert Bernheimer Indian Wells
Michael Wilson** / Gene Gilbert Indio
Frank West / Charles White Moreno Valley
Frank Hall* / Harvey Sullivan Norco
Dick Kelly / Robert Spiegel Palm Desert
Ronald Oden / Ginny Foat Palm Springs
Daryl Busch / Mark Yarbrough Perris
Bob Buster / County of Riverside
Marion Ashley / County of Riverside
Roy Wilson / County of Riverside
Ron Roberts / City of Temecula
* 2005 Committee Chair
** 2005 Committee Vice Chair
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TRANSIT POLICY COMMITTEE
Roger Berg / Beaumont
Percy Byrd** / Indian Wells
Frank Hall / Indio
Terry Henderson / La Quinta
Dick Kelly / Palm Desert
Jeff Miller / Corona
Ameal Moore*/ Riverside
John Tavaglione / County of Riverside
Frank West / Moreno Valley
Roy Wilson / County of Riverside
*2005 Committee Chair
**2005 Committee Vice Chair
6
AGENDA ITEM 8
RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTA TION COMMISSION
DATE:
February 10, 2005
TO:
Citizens' Advisory Committee/Social Services Transportation
Advisory Council
FROM:
Tanya Love, Program Manager
THROUGH:
Cathy Bechtel, Director of Transportation Planning and Policy
Development
SUBJECT:
CAC/SSTAC Committee Appointments: Unmet Transit Needs
Hearing; SB 821 Evaluation Committee, and FTA's Section 5310
Program
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
This item is to seek appointment of CAC/SSTAC Committee members to the
following review committees:
1) One member to attend and be a member of the hearing board at the
Unmet Transit Needs Hearing in Blythe on March 3, 2005;
2) Three members to serve on the FY 2004-05 SB 821 Evaluation
Committee; and
3) Three members to review and score the Federal Transit
Administration's Section 5310 applications.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
For the past several years, staff has requested CAC/SSTAC's participation in
reviewing the testimony of the Commission's Unmet Transit Needs Hearing, the SB
821 Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Program and the Federal Transit
Administration's (FTA) Section 5310 program. Following is a brief description of
each program:
Unmet Transit Needs Hearing
State law requires that prior to making any allocations of Local
Transportation Funds (LTF) not directly related to public transit, the
Commission must identify the unmet transit needs in the area and determine
those that are reasonable to meet. At least one public hearing must be held
to solicit comments on unmet transit needs. The only area that this
determination of unmet needs is applicable to is the Palo Verde Valley where
it is anticipated that not all funds will be needed for transit. In the Western
7
County and the Coachella Valley, all available local transit funds are being
used for transit services. The Unmet Transit Needs Hearing is scheduled for
Thursday, March 3, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. in Blythe, California.
SB 821 Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Program
Each year 2% of the LTF revenue is made available for use on bicycle and
pedestrian facility projects through the Commission's SB 821 Program. This
is a discretionary program administered by the Commission.
There are three steps to carry out the program:
1. All cities and the county are notified of the SB 821 program
estimate of available funding and are requested to submit
project proposals. (All school districts in the county are also
notified and asked to coordinate project submissions with either
their local city or the County Transportation Department. ) The
Commission's SB 821 program policies, project application, and
selection criteria are also provided with the notification;
2. The Commission's SB 821 Evaluation Committee, comprised of
members of the Commission's Technical and Citizens' Advisory
Committees (3 each), meets to review and rank the project
applications using the evaluation criteria adopted by the
Commission and recommends projects and funding amounts to
the Commission for approval; and
3. The Commission reviews the Committee's recommendations
and approves a program of bicycle and pedestrian projects for
funding.
Staff has tentatively set the meeting of the Evaluation committee for the
week of June 13th or June 20th (2005) depending on the availability of the
committee members.
FTA's Section 5310 Program
The FTA Section 5310 Program provides capital grants for the purpose of
assisting private, non-profit corporations and public agencies, under certain
circumstances, in providing transportation services to meet the needs of
8
seniors and persons with disabilities for whom public transportation services
are otherwise unavailable, insufficient or inappropriate. The program
provides funding for approved projects on an 80% federal/20% local match
basis. This year the Local Review Committee is scheduled to meet on March
14, 2005, 9:00 to 12 noon.
9
AGENDA ITEM 9
RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE/
SOCIAL SERVICES TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
PROPOSED 2005 MEETING SCHEDULE
AND AGENDA TOPICS
Date Topics
February 10, 2005
CAC/SSTAC Committee Appointments
Proposed Committee Calendar
RCTC Commission Member Roster
Commuter Rail Feasibility Study
Demonstration of CommuteSmart.info Website
May 12, 2005 FY 2005/06 — FY 2007/08 Short Range Transit
Plans
FY 2005/06 Unmet Transit Needs Testimony
August 11, 2005 Education Program: Suggestions from CAC/SSTAC
Members
10
AGENDA ITEM 10
RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTA TION COMMISSION
DATE:
February 10, 2005
TO:
Citizens' Advisory Committee/Social Services Transportation
Advisory Council
FROM:
Stephanie Wiggins, Rail Department Manager
THROUGH:
Hideo Sugita, Deputy Executive Director
SUBJECT:
Western Riverside County Commuter Rail Feasibility Study
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
This item is for the CAC/SSTAC to receive and file the presentation on the Western
Riverside County Commuter Rail Feasibility Study.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Commuter rail service has been a growing success in Riverside County since its
inception in 1993 with the Riverside Line to Los Angeles. In 1995, the Inland
Empire -Orange County (IEOC) Line began providing service to Orange County,
followed most recently by the start of peak -period service on the 91 (Riverside -
Fullerton -Los Angeles) Line in 2002. Also in 1993, the Commission acquired the
San Jacinto Branch Line (SJBL) with the eventual goal of providing passenger rail
service. Upon completion of a commuter rail feasibility study in 2000, the
Commission authorized staff to develop commuter rail service on the SJBL to
Perris, known as the Perris Valley Line (PVL) Project. Currently, the PVL Project is
in the environmental review phase and awaiting FTA approval to advance to
preliminary engineering once acceptable modeling forecasts are produced.
The 2000 study also concluded that it was not cost effective to extend commuter
rail service to Hemet -San Jacinto on the SJBL because the current and forecast
population growth would not generate sufficient ridership to support its
development and operation. However, since the study, population growth and land
use plan updates have sufficiently changed to support revisiting the subject.
RCTC staff is participating at both technical and management levels in the
development of three separate five -county strategic efforts that will impact
passenger and freight rail capacity in our region:
• Metrolink Commuter Rail Strategic Assessment
A 30 -year commuter rail strategic plan for current service and planned
extensions with a timeline for completion by August 2005. The Riverside
11
County geographic scope is the Riverside, IEOC, and 91 Lines with the
planned Perris Valley Line (PVL) extension;
• Multi -County Goods Movement Action Plan
A 30 -year plan that reflects regional agreement on a phased strategy to
maintain mobility for freight movement to, from, and within Southern
California, and determine how best to minimize the impacts of freight
movement (truck, train, airport) on local communities, the existing
transportation system, and the environment. The timeline for completion is
Spring 2006 in order to provide timely input to the 2007 Regional
Transportation Plan (RTP) update. The Riverside County geographic scope
includes, at a minimum, the following freeways: 1-10, 1-15, SR60, SR91,
SR86, and corresponding freight rail lines and related cargo airports; and
• Five -County Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) Joint
Venture
A joint advocacy effort with BNSF and UP railroads to develop new short-
term federal funding and long-term public -private financing mechanisms for
port -generated rail and truck capacity improvements in the SCAG region.
The Riverside County geographic scope includes Alameda Corridor East
grade separation projects and rail capacity improvements on the BNSF and
UP main lines that parallel the SR91 and 1-10 freeways.
These activities in the Southern California basin will result in an assessment of
passenger and freight rail capacity requirements that will necessitate some form of
public subsidy. In response to these activities, the Commission authorized staff at
its November 10, 2004 meeting to develop and release a Request for Proposal
(RFP) for a Western Riverside County Commuter Rail Feasibility Study. This effort
will allow the Commission to determine if additional extensions, beyond the PVL
Project, should be assessed in the regional study efforts. At its January 12, 2005
meeting, the Commission awarded the consultant contract to R. L. Banks &
Associates.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this eight -month study is to perform an objective evaluation of the
potential for the following rail extensions:
• Commuter rail from Riverside to Banning and Beaumont;
• Commuter rail from Indio (Coachella Valley) to Riverside to Los Angeles;
• Commuter rail and Intracounty Rail from South Perris to Winchester, Hemet,
and San Jacinto;
• Commuter rail from South Perris to Temecula via Winchester Road (along the
CETAP corridor); and
• lntracounty rail from South Perris to Murrieta and Temecula via the 1-215
corridor.
12
The study will:
• Examine operations, ridership, and costs to determine the feasibility of
implementation of the service; and
• Establish estimates for the physical, operational, and financial feasibility of a
major capital investment and operating subsidy projections.
Findings from this study will allow public officials and area residents to better
understand the general issues and cost estimates of potential extensions of
commuter rail to directly serve these communities. The study will consider a 30 -
year window of transportation demand and be used as input to the SCRRA
Strategic Plan effort and the Commission's Long Range Rail Plan for the 2007
SCAG RTP update.
GOALS & OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The intent of this effort is to answer the following major policy questions for each
geographic area:
• Is a commuter rail extension viable and effective, as part of a multi -modal
transportation system to maintain or enhance mobility and contribute to
improving the quality of life?
If viable:
• Are the railroads willing to share their corridor? If so, what are their
requirements?
• What service levels are appropriate to meet forecasted demand?
• How much will it cost (capital and operating) to provide potential rail service
levels?
• How should the service and capital projects be phased -in over time?
13
VENTURA
COUNTY
Ventura
METROLINK LINES
Ventura County Line
Ante lope Valle y Line
San Bernardino Line
Riverside Line
Orange County Line
Inland Empire/Orange County Line
91 Line
(Riverside, Fullerton, Downtown LA)
Future Perris Valley Extension
SERVICE ALTERNATIVES
Lancaster
LOS ANGELES
COUNTY
Los Angeles
Union Station
Commuter Rail, Riverside - Banning/Beaumont
Commuter Rail, Indio - Los Angeles
Commuter Rail, South Perris - San Jacinto
Commuter Rail, South Perris - Temecula
Infra County Rail, Riverside - San Jacinto
Intra County Rail, Riverside - Temecula
SAN BERNARDINO
COUNTY
*San Bernardino
1
•
iversid
San Juan Capistrano
Oceanside
RIVERSIDE
COUNTY
Temecula
S AN DIEGO
COUNTY
4
Crit
AGENDA ITEM 11
RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTA TION COMMISSION
DATE:
February 10, 2005
TO:
Citizens' Advisory Committee/Social Services Transportation
Advisory Council
FROM:
Robert Yates, Program Manager
Brian Cunanan, Staff Analyst
THROUGH:
Marilyn Williams, Director of Regional Programs and Public Affairs
SUBJECT:
Demonstration of CommuteSmart.info Website
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
This item is for the CAC/SSTAC to receive and file the demonstration of a new
website, CommuteSmart.info, recently launched to serve commuters and
employers throughout a five county region.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In recognition of the growing congestion levels within Riverside County and the
Southern California region, on -going efforts to educate drivers regarding the
benefits of ridesharing play an important role in reducing trips on freeways and
local streets. The Commission's Commuter Assistance Program provides a number
of incentives and support services to Riverside County residents and employers in
support of ridesharing options including carpooling and vanpooling, commuter rail,
public bus, walking, bicycling and telecommuting.
In addition, commuter services are coordinated at the regional level between the
county transportation commissions (CTC's) in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San
Bernardino and Ventura counties. The five county partnership has affected a
number of rideshare services that are delivered locally but funded and developed at
the regional level to better serve commuters whether they live two miles from work
or eighty-two miles from work.
Recognizing the value of the internet in providing information cost effectively to a
broad audience base, the CTC's recently launched a new full service website,
www.CommuteSmart.info, to serve both commuters and employers who are
seeking information related to rideshare options, traffic conditions, and program
assistance. Once the CTC's made the decision to move forward, RCTC staff took
the lead role in the development and implementation of the website. From concept
to reality, the website took under four months to design and code. The short
timeframe is a reflection of the high level of commitment and coordination by the
14
staffs of the five CTC's. RCTC was able to move the project forward quickly
based on its annual contract with Geographics, a Riverside based firm, which
performs a broad array of communication services for the Commission.
Staff will demonstrate the features and functionality of the website for
CAC/SSTAC members highlighting how the website brings together several
important products developed by public and public/private partnerships.
Attachment: News Article Dated January 23, 2005
CommuteSmart.info Web Page
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The Preen -Enterprise
Web site offering freeway updates
TRAFFIC: Drivers can get real-time information on roadway conditions in the Inland
area.
11:34 PM PST on Sunday, January 23, 2005
By BRADLEY WEAVER / The Press -Enterprise
Inland commuters have a new ally in their battle against gridlock.
Traffic online
Transportation leaders from five counties, including Riverside and San
Bernardino, launched a Web site today that gives Southern California
commuters real-time roadway conditions through color -coded maps and
cameras mounted above freeways.
The Web site, www.commutesmart.info, lets drivers browse live video
snapshots to help decide which routes they want to take, avoiding
problem spots. Drivers can also get estimated freeway speeds and travel
times.
A regional Web site
debuting today will give
commuters real-time
traffic conditions as well
as information on
carpooling, public buses
and Metrolink.
www.commutesmart.info
"We are starting the service with a great deal of information, but I'm
confident that it will continue to grow as an important resource for commuters throughout the region,"
Riverside County Transportation Commission Chairwoman Robin Lowe said. "I expect this to become
the best free resource on transportation in Southern California."
Commuters say the resource couldn't come at a better time. Inland traffic has deteriorated more quickly
than anywhere else in the nation and drivers spend an average of 57 hours stuck in gridlock each year,
compared with nine hours two decades ago, according to a recent national study.
"We'll take any help we can get," said Redlands commuter Paul Graham. "I'm skeptical that a Web site
will solve any of our traffic problems, but it could tell me what to expect or what freeways to avoid."
Traffic is mounting in the Inland area as more people move to Riverside and San Bernardino counties in
search of affordable homes.
Road improvements have been slow due to state budget cuts. Gov. Schwarzenegger's latest budget
proposal calls for the suspension of $1.2 billion in transportation money to help pull the state out of its
financial woes. For the Inland area, Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties, that would mean the
loss of roughly $700 million for roads.
Advocates say the new Web site could relieve crowded freeways by promoting public transit and
connecting people with carpools or vanpools. The site provides links to routes, fares and schedules for
Metrolink and public bus systems such as Omnitrans and the Riverside Transit Agency.
A Hemet resident wanting to catch the bus to Riverside, for example, could use the site to determine
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Printed from pe.com Page 2 of 2
when buses depart, where they connect, travel time, distance and cost.
"We welcome any way to help the public access transportation information, so this is a great step," said
RTA's marketing director Scott Richardson.
CommuteSmart is considered cutting edge by transportation specialists because few cities nationwide
have such a program. The Orange County Transportation Authority launched a smaller -scale program in
2001 and the city of Fontana debuted its own site last year.
The county transportation agencies from Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Orange and Los Angeles
counties will share the production cost of the Web site, about $35,000.
Reach Bradley Weaver at (951) 368-9519 or bweaver@pe.com
Online at: http://www.pe.com/localnews/riverside/stories/PE News Local web24.58038.html
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CommuteSmart
Page 1 of 1
My Commute Lots, Lanes $ Links Employer Services Contact Us Site M
A partnership of the transportation agencies of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties
CommuteSmartiiifo
Southern California's
Commuter Solution
Welcome to CommuteSmart.info—a
free service that makes it easy for
Southern Californians to share the ride.
If you're looking for a smarter way to get
where you're going —one that's faster,
cheaper and less stressful —you'll find it
here.
Click on My Commute to find a carpool
partner...a vanpool...or get fast, on-line
routing for bus or train. Lots, Lanes &
Links connects you with Park & Ride
lots, carpool lanes and more.
Employer Services gives employers
the tools they need to develop and
manage effective rideshare programs.
FIND A CARPOOL/VAN POOL
REBATES & INCENTIVES
BUS RAIL
PLANNER
GET TRAFFIC
UPDATES
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