Emdc rpo2012

Linking the Rural Regions
of Four Counties in Maine

A Community-Based Approach

Copyright © Copyright 2011 Eastern Maine Development Corporation. All rights reserved.

Introduction

Our project is funded by a two-year
TIGER 2 (Transportation Investment
Generating Economic Recovery) planning grant
from the U.S. Department of Transportation/Federal
Transit Administration. The goal is to explore new
and expanded transportation options for rural
residents in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Hancock, and
Waldo Counties.


The Grant Area


Belfast, Maine


Dover-Foxcroft, Maine


Ellsworth, Maine


Millinocket, Maine


Bangor Maine


Year 1

• Convened the Advisory Group
• Defined the project scope
• Assessed/documented the need
• Planned for the random population survey
• Began data collection
• Initiated dialogs with business owners - transportation
barriers that may be affecting their bottom line.


Year 2

• Complete data collection and focus groups/interviews
• Identify ways to bridge gaps and enhance transportation
opportunities
• Create a menu of feasible options

Funds are being sought to finance the pilot project.


Advisory Group

The Advisory Group, which includes members from organizations in all four
counties, meets regularly to inform and shape the project.

• Bangor Area Comprehensive Transportation System (MPO)
• City of Bangor, Health & Community Services Department
• Eastern Area Agency on Aging
• Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems
• Eaton Peabody Consulting Group
• Eastern Maine Development Corporation
• Four Directions Development Corporation
• GoMaine (Commuter Program)
• Greater Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Hancock County Planning Commission
• Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center (U. Maine)
• Midcoast Regional Planning Commission
• Mobilize Maine
• Penobscot Community Health Care (FQHC)
• Penobscot County
• Penquis (Community Action Program)
• Richert Planning
• Tom Crikelair Associates
• TriCounty Workforce Investment Board
• United Way of Eastern Maine
• Waldo Community Action Partners
• Workforce Development


Community

Advisory Group Membership Sectors

Community Development

Transportation Tourism Economic Development

Education
Community
Development Healthcare
Social Services
Housing

Local Government
Economic Planning
Development Planning

Social Services

Tourism
Local
Education Government
Transportation

Healthcare Housing


Advisory Meetings

• Meetings were scheduled monthly, but were cancelled if there

were no issues to discuss

• A subcommittee was formed to design the survey

• Subcommittee recommendations were presented to full

Committee for discussion/endorsement

• Stipend for time and effort


Survey Excerpt

1. How many people in your household age 18 or over go to work outside the home or
attend college or other training? (write number) ______ (If none, write “0” and skip to
question 3)

The next two sets of questions ask about 2 people in your household who travel to work
or Person 1:

2a. Where does this person go to work or college? (write name of town)
__________________________
2b. How far does this person travel to work or college? (miles, ONE-WAY)
_______________miles
2c. IN A NORMAL WEEK how many days does this person go to work or college?
______days

2d. In the table below, please check how this person travels to work or college. type of
transportation (always /frequently /sometimes/never)
drive alone in a car, truck or van
ride a motorcycle
carpool / ride share
take public transportation
walk
bike
other means: ______________________________


Survey Excerpt

4. On a NORMAL DAY how many total miles do you and other people in your household
drive transporting children? (write number of miles and check if school bus is available)
activity miles per day school bus available?
to and from high school 􀂆􀂆 yes 􀂆􀂆 no
to and from high school activities 􀂆􀂆 yes 􀂆􀂆 no
to and from K-8 school 􀂆􀂆 yes 􀂆􀂆 no
to and from K-8 school activities 􀂆􀂆 yes 􀂆􀂆 no
to and from daycare/child care 􀂆􀂆 yes 􀂆􀂆 no

5. For each of the following types of trips, how many TIMES IN A NORMAL MONTH do you
and other people in your household travel to each of the following locations? (write
numbers below) number of times per month

type of trip Bangor- Brewer Ellsworth Belfast Dover- Foxcroft

grocery shopping
all other shopping
medical/dental/social service appointments
entertainment & visiting friends/family
other type ________________________________


Findings

• Multi-modal approach is needed

• Create a “Network of Networks”:

• Transit/Hub Stations

• Rural Public Transportation (shared

rides/van pooling)

• Park & Ride

• Intelligent Transportation


Summary

• Engage a cross-section of community to participate in the

planning process

• Assign responsibilities and ask for input

• Schedule meetings to affect good time management

• Communicate often!

• Share outcomes with Advisory group and community partners

• Plan for next phase of project development


TIGER II Website

For more information on the TIGER project, visit our website at
www.emdc.org
and look for TIGER 2 under the Community tab,

or email
dmartel@emdc.org.

This material is based upon work supported by the Federal Transit Administration under Cooperative Agreement No. ME-79-1000.
Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the Author(s) and do not
necessarily reflect the view of the Federal Transit Administration.


Emdc rpo2012

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Similar to Emdc rpo2012

Similar to Emdc rpo2012 (20)

More from RPO America

More from RPO America (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Emdc rpo2012