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Overview
The Rockford Mass Transit District (RMTD) and Region 1 Planning Council were awarded Statewide Planning and Research (SPR) funds from IDOT in 2018 to complete a Comprehensive Mobility Analysis for RMTD’s service area. The four-step process proposed for this analysis emphasizes community input, builds an extensive tool-box of strategies to prepare for cultural shifts in transportation and technology, and creates an implementation plan that can move the community’s goals for public transit into a reality. The steps and descriptions are detailed below.
Market analysis
Central to the evaluation of transit coverage is to understand the service area. This first step includes documenting the population characteristics and transportation infrastructure pertinent to an efficient and equitable transit system in the Rockford urbanized area (UA). A socioeconomic travel demand index will be used in concert with commuter and pedestrian-accessibility data to identify gaps and opportunities in populations served.
Service Evaluation
Similar in importance, an internal and external evaluation of service will provide valuable perspective into current operations. A two-pronged service evaluation will include quantitative views of user boarding and alighting, statistical trend analysis, and peer-agency comparisons, along with qualitative data collected through multiple series of public input sessions, internal staff surveys and interviews, and stakeholder workshops.
Alternative analysis
Combined with complementary needs identified in related regional guidance, gaps and opportunities will be converted into short and long-term recommendations to prepare for service demand alternatives. Concurrent efforts to guide future recommendations include the maintenance of current transit-accessibility parameters and periodic performance measurements.
Implementation Plan
Charting an implementable action plan is key to obtaining results from service recommendations. Based on input and guidance received from key officials, the last step within this analysis includes using internal or consultant services to bring selected recommendations to fruition. Considerations for an implementation plan include capital investment, route-realignment and scheduling, operation adjustments, infrastructure enhancement, and financial constraints.
The effectiveness of the Comprehensive Mobility Analysis will hinge on the input and feedback received from both the community and partner organizations. Monthly progress updates are provided to both RMTD and R1PC organizations’ respective boards and committees until project completion towards the beginning of 2020.
Progress
MArket analysis
RMTD 2019 Regional Transit Demand
Service Evaluation
RMTD 2019 Weekday Ridership Activity
RMTD 2019 Weeknight Ridership Activity
RMTD 2019 Saturday Ridership Activity
RMTD 2019 Sunday Ridership Activity
2019 General Transit Survey Report
Alternatives Analysis
TBD
Implementation Plan
TBD
Contact Us
Additional input is welcome at any time. If you have questions or comments related to the RMTD Comprehensive Mobility Analysis, please feel free to contact info@r1planning.org or 815-319-4180.