Planning document

Transit Planning & Operations

Benesch works with transit agencies across the country to address current and future mobility needs of their communities. With expertise in all forms of transit, from traditional bus routes to premium transit, street cars to light rail, we bring a deep understanding of every facet of the transit planning and operating environment. 

Close up photo of Round rock bus system

Master/Development Plans

Benesch meticulously evaluates transit infrastructure, service quality, ridership patterns, and future growth to create cohesive, user-centric master plans. These plans support greater transit use, secure more federal funding, expand service, and increase ridership, ultimately fostering economic growth, reducing congestion, improving air quality and enhancing community quality of life.

When Round Rock, Texas, found their transit plan lagging behind growth, they turned to Benesch to develop a long-term vision for enhanced mobility.

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Close up photo of the PalmTran on-demand transit shuttle

Mobility-On-Demand

Benesch has demonstrated expertise in designing and deploying on-demand services for general-public and ADA purposes. We’ve helped clients assess the feasibility of services, define technology requirements and develop operating requirements. Our team has also provided procurement and deployment support for Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and Transportation-as-a-Service (TaaS) operations and have even supported the final implementation and assessment of new services.

Several of the MOD services we have developed are in operation today. For example, Palm Beach County’s Go Glades service has helped improve overall transit service efficiency, reduce paratransit costs and increase ridership.

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Bus stop with bench

Paratransit/Demand Response

Transit agencies receiving federal funds for fixed-route services must provide paratransit for people with disabilities who can’t access the fixed routes. To help meet this need, Benesch supports clients in Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) and ADA paratransit service planning, including operational analyses, service planning and various evaluations.

In Flagler and Volusia counties (FL), local demand for paratransit and transportation disadvantaged services was increasing, and the counties needed to know what improvements would need to be made. Benesch conducted a Paratransit Service Analysis to set the stage for improvement.

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Person waiting for the bus to arrive at the bus stop

Comprehensive Operational Analysis

With extensive transit operations experience, our team is able to take a “snapshot” of a current transit system and its services to outline strategies for improved efficiency and effectiveness. In the last 25 years, our transit staff have successfully completed more than 40 COAs, comprehensive service/operating plans, line-by-line analyses and short-range plans for transit agencies throughout the US. The outcomes of these efforts have included more efficient service and effective routing, enhanced network connectivity, improved ridership and reduced costs.

For the Midland Odessa Urban Transit District in Texas, Benesch conducted a COA to evaluate current service performance and efficiency and develop a roadmap to guide the agency.

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TANK transfer station

Service Planning, Design & Scheduling

Our team excels in transit service planning and network design, including latent demand analysis, route development, express service feasibility, and system redesign. We are experts in ridership analysis and forecasting using TBEST, STOPS, and regional planning models, as well as performance standards, efficiency analysis, and scheduling support.

With ridership declining, the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) turned to Benesch to help them conduct a near-term operational assessment to help re-imagine the existing network structure.

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Group of people attending a training

Capital & Infrastructure Planning

With expertise in transit capital project conceptualization, planning, design, and development, Benesch is able to help ensure that transit systems operate efficiently and meet the needs of the population. From site planning to federal Capital Investment Grant (CIG) pursuits, from facility and fleet analysis to technology procurement support, down to the assessment of individual bus stops, our team has supported transit agencies on transit infrastructure, facility and other capital project planning.

Using our ADA accessibility compliance and assessment expertise, we have produced infrastructure design guidelines for transit systems, as well, including the last two editions of the Accessing Transit Handbook, the State of Florida’s transit design standards document for ADA accessibility.

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Financial Planning, Costing & Governance

A successful transit system depends on careful financial planning. With decades of experience, Benesch offers extensive financial planning, costing and governance support to transit clients nationwide. We assist with cost and revenue estimation, cost allocation modeling, budget analysis, fare studies and identifying new revenue sources. We’ve also supported agencies in considering alternative governance structures and consolidation planning.

After a six-month fare capping policy pilot, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) engaged Benesch to conduct an equity assessment to evaluate its impacts on minority and low-income populations. ADD TO WEBSITE

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Explore Benesch’s full range of transit solutions.

 

Infrastructure Services    Support Services