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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 2 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 5 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 15 Printed from pe.com Page 1 of 2 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 16 I-iffn•/%vinxnv r,rinf nevi 1 i'n i�nnc 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 17 hfh- //wwu, nP rnm/rai-lhin/hi/anlrl nrint rai 1 11A 11(111C 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 18 httn•!Itxnanxt rnmmntaemart in fn/ ')/11'111/1G