7/3/2008
ITD works with local communities on plan for better mobility in Idaho
BOISE - Coordination, customer service, mobility, and local leadership are at the core of a mobility management planning process developed by the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and stakeholders across Idaho. Idaho's Mobility and Access Pathway (IMAP) outlines a vision for achieving efficient and effective mobility networks for Idahoans and describes the scope of the effort needed to achieve that vision.
"Public Transportation is, in fact, relevant in Idaho," said Division of Public Transportation Administrator Randy Kyrias. "Our rural nature does not make mobility less necessary; it makes it more challenging. Idaho's unique characteristics make mobility essential."
IMAP features the development of 17 different Local Mobility Management Networks statewide. The public and transportation stakeholders residing in and providing services in each of those networks are invited to participate in the process of describing them.
Local network plans will be consolidated to form six district plans that will ultimately comprise a Statewide Public Transportation Plan. As a result, local communities can identify existing mobility options and opportunities for coordination, and fulfill coordination planning requirements for grant application purposes.
Members of the public and transportation stakeholders interested in participating in this planning process should contact ITD's Division of Public Transportation at (208) 334-8875 / 1-800-527-7985 or via email at PublicTrans@itd.idaho.gov. Interested people will be asked to participate in an initial survey/questionnaire to define transportation in their part of Idaho.
Following this collection of background data, John Krause, ITD Division of Public Transportation IMAP program manager, will travel the state sharing information about the Local Mobility Management Networks and supporting each locale in developing their respective networks.
Once developed, local networks will be asked to appoint a representative to represent them on a District Coordination Council (DCC). A DCC will be formed in each of the six ITD districts to identify and implement opportunities to connect the collection of networks in that district and to provide a district-level plan and statewide recommendation.
A key element of this plan and planning process is its reliance on local leadership to address mobility needs and networks as appropriate to that environment.
"The approach is specifically designed to support local stakeholders in developing mobility networks that are most responsive to actual needs and realities that exist on the ground," Kyrias said. "IMAP accommodates Idaho's unique characteristics and complements that with a contemporary response to the individual's mobility needs and current technological opportunities."
"The plan also embraces and works to address, rather than shrinks away from, funding realities," he said.
The end result will be a Statewide Mobility Management Network that can be used to identify needs, and a Statewide Mobility Management Plan that identifies the priorities and resources required to address them.
For a copy of IMAP or for more information about your Local Mobility Management Network, go to itd.idaho.gov and click on Public Transportation, or contact the Division of Public Transportation at (208) 334-8875 or 1-800-527-7985.