Sarmistha R. Majumdar

Public Collaboration in Transportation: A Case Study

Rapid population growth, traffic congestion and air pollution from automobiles have made Environmental Protection Agency to designate Denton County as part of the Dallas - Fort Worth 8-hour non-attainment area. In 2001, county residents and elected officials petitioned the Texas Legislature to create the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA). In 2002, DCTA was created through a countywide election to provide environment friendly public transportation services. Soon DCTA embarked on a plan for collaboration with the public and various stakeholders. In this case study, efforts have been made to understand the reasons behind DCTAs plan for collaboration, the initiatives it undertook and the publics perception of such collaborative efforts. Based on evidences, it has been concluded that even a well designed plan of interaction can have structural flaws. Such flaws coupled with lack of understanding of local history can impede the establishment of a meaningful partnership with the local community.

Diversity in Master of Public Administration Programs at Minority-Serving Institutions

Abstract The concept of diversity among students and faculty in Master of Public Administration programs at minority-serving institutions has remained unexplored over the years. Past studies have reported on diversity in public affairs programs at traditionally white institutions. Given the current emphasis on diversity as the United States transforms itself into the most diverse advanced nation in the world, this exploratory study was undertaken to fill the existing gap in the literature on diversity at minority-serving institutions. Survey methodology was used to collect information from administrators on various aspects of diversity. The survey findings offer some valuable insights into the current status of diversity in enrollment and employment at minority-serving institutions along with a variety of perspectives on the issue. The findings also make evident the need for more to be done to promote and manage diversity in these institutions without losing sight of their original mission and goals.

Individuals’ Attitudes Toward Public Transit in a Rural Transit District

During a period of high gasoline prices and in the absence of alternative means of transportation, commuters in rural areas in the United States are incurring higher transportation costs than their urban counterparts. Due to an inadequate investigation of rural commuters’ preferences, this exploratory research is an attempt to understand whether individuals would be willing to use public transit if it were to be provided and what the factors are that influence their decision. Analysis of survey data suggests commuters’ preference for public transit service in a rural transit district, and its sustenance requires a focus on those service attributes that individuals value most.

The Feasibility of Mobility Management in the United States

Mobility management aims at the provision of accessible, multimodal, and affordable transportation services to all individuals in a community, including the elderly, disabled and lower income individuals. It has much potential to deliver public transit services in a cost efficient way and uses a customer driven and market based approach to make it more responsive to the needs of individuals in a community. In mobility management, there is much emphasis on coordination and collaboration, which makes mobility management an attractive option for many communities, especially in an era of limited funding and shortage of resources. To explore the feasibility of its practice in this country, this paper has tried to disseminate valuable information on regulations and statutes that help to establish the legal foundation for mobility management and also support services that are available from advocacy agencies and interest groups to develop, manage, and sustain such programs.

The Case of Performance Measurement in Mobility Management Programs

The concept of mobility management has gained popularity over the last few decades. It refers to the provision of accessible, affordable, and multimodal transportation for all, including those who cannot or do not drive due to age, disability, or lower income. Mobility management programs can be found in large cities, urban areas, and rural areas. Evaluation of these programs is difficult in the absence of national guidelines. Consequently, many programs have developed their own measures, while others lag in performance measurement. This case study investigates the performance measures used to evaluate some established mobility management programs. Based on analysis of the performance measures, recommendations are made for their adoption by new programs or incorporation into existing ones.