PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION PLANNING EFFECTIVENESS: CASE STUDIES

The study examined the effectiveness of federal transportation planning requirements and programs on small urban areas. The research analyzed the impacts of financing procedures and constraints on the transportation systems of small urban areas, examined the effectiveness of public transportation planning, and developed an allocation procedure for state transit assistance programs. A case study methodology was employed to permit greater depth and insight to the planning process than would be possible with comparative data for all urban areas. Three cities in the state of Iowa were selected: Cedar Rapids, Davenport, and Iowa City. The conclusions drawn from the analyses were that: (1) UMTA technical study grants have resulted in realistic short-range transit plans in all three case study cities; (2) UMTA Capital and Operating Assistance has led to the implementation of many of the improvements recommended in the short-range plans; (3) planning to achieve integration of transit services has not been fruitful in the three urban areas; and (4) municipal operation of transit appears to be the most viable and politically responsive method in small urban areas.