TRANSIT NEEDS IN SMALL CALIFORNIA COMMUNITIES

A study is reported which was designed to identify several rural sites as candidates for rural highway public transportation demonstration projects. This report describes the status of the continuing study of transportation needs of rural and small urban areas and draws general conclusions which will be helpful to a study of needs in other areas of California. The study which covered all Caltrans transportation districts and, therefore, most of the rural and small urban areas, was designed to determine the location and magnitude of public transport needs and to recommend public transportation legislation and implementation programs. The study is developing methodology that may be used to determine needs in other areas, and is providing training for transportation personnel in public transportation planning activities. Details are given of the organization of the study, the model that was developed, data collection and data analysis. Major findings to data of this ongoing study are discussed. These findings relate to the strategy of site paving and the use of a data envelope.