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FTA Research Programs

Ronald Hynes

Acting Associate Administrator for

Research, Demonstration, and Innovation

April 17, 2007

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FY07 FTA Research Appropriations

• National Research & Technology Program $40.4M– $22.9M earmarked

• Transit Cooperative Research Program $9.3M • National Transit Institute $4.3M• University Transportation Centers $7.0M• Bus Testing $3.0M• Fuel Cell Bus Technology Development $11.5M

TOTAL $75.5M

• Other funds expected (ITS, etc.) ~ $10.0M

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FTA Research Program Management

FTA Achieved PART score of 95 – “effective”

Strategic Planning

Project Development

Reporting Results

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1.1 Ensure transit research supports national goals

Strategies

• Strategic planning• Transit Research Analysis Committee• Coordinate research efforts• Ensure balanced research portfolio

1.2 Continue to improve research management

• Monitor and implement research best practices• Measure, control, and compile quality research data and deliverables• Develop and implement research assessment processes

1. Provide Transit Research Leadership

1.3 Facilitate implementation of research results by the transit industry

• Identify domestic & international research• Present results in useable format• Identify barriers to adoption of practices or technologies

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2.1 Identify best practices & technologies to increase ridership

Strategies

• Examine why individuals choose to ride transit• Monitor ridership trends to identify what has or hasn’t worked• Improve services for existing riders• Experiment with pricing, parking, yield management, etc.

2.2 Identify barriers to the adoption of ridership enhancement techniques and solutions to overcome those barriers

Strategies

• Examine hurdles faced by transit agencies• Exchange successful & unsuccessful experiences• Examine external factors that affect ridership

2. Increase Ridership

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2.3 Improve transportation solutions for targeted populations

Strategies

• Examine how to expand transit services to elderly & mobility impaired populations, with an emphasis on using existing systems

• Improve coordination of human services• Research technologies to improve accessibility

2.4 Develop solutions to provide cost-effective public transportation services in rural areas

Strategies

• Classify rural transit services• Research logical approaches to rural transit• Identify appropriate vehicles for rural use

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3.1 Identify practices & technologies to control capital costs

Strategies

• Improve risk management• Improve design & cost control methods• Analyze capital cost variables• Develop voluntary standards

3.2 Identify practices and technologies to control operating costs

Strategies

• Analyze alternative delivery providers• Examine full life-cycle costs of capital investments• Analyze impact of technology adoption on operational costs• Identify platforms for systems integration

3. Improve Capital & Operating Efficiencies

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3.3 Develop methods & technologies to improve transit operational efficiency

Strategies

• Improve demand response performances• Improve bus efficiency• Examine operational delivery strategies such as fleet operations and mobility management

3.4 Identify solutions to improve transit infrastructure maintenance

Strategies

• Research improved inspection and integrated maintenance systems• Examine the use of Geographic Information Systems to track infrastructure assets

3.5 Improve the capacity of the transit industry & workforce

Strategies

• Promote workforce development best practices• Promote the development of the U.S. transit manufacturing industry• Strengthen viability of the bus market

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4.1 Identify solutions to improve transit safety

Strategies

• Improve grade crossing safety• Improve vehicle crashworthiness and occupant protection• Develop collision avoidance systems• Identify barriers to the adoption of safety technologies

4.2 Identify solutions to reduce criminal activity

Strategies

• Improve onboard bus security• Improve rail station security• Analyze methods to reduce fare evasion

4. Improve Safety & Emergency Preparedness

4.3 Identify solutions to improve transit emergency preparedness

Strategies

• Improve security training• Improve emergency preparedness• Develop solutions to increase public awareness of security issues

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5. Protect the Environment & Promote Energy Independence

5.1 Facilitate development of technologies to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions from transit vehicles

Strategies

• Improve energy storage systems• Develop electric drive technologies• Decrease vehicle weights• Evaluate fuel cell deployment results

5.2 Identify and overcome barriers to adoption of clean technologies

Strategies

• Provide transit agencies with up-to-date information on clean fuel technologies• Improve reliability, maintainability and performance of clean fuel technologies

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Research Gaps