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TCRP J-03 [Active]
International Transit Studies Program
| Project Data |
| Funds: |
$500,000 (FY 09) |
| Staff Responsibility: |
Gwen Chisholm-Smith |
| Research Agency: |
Harrington Hughes & Associates |
| Principal Investigator: |
Kathryn Harrington Hughes |
| Effective Date: |
2/1/1994 |
| Completion Date: |
12/31/2012 |
| Comments: |
Continuing |
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Since 1994, the Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) has sponsored an International Transit Studies Program (ITSP). The primary purpose of this program has been to broaden the professional development of U.S. transit managers by providing them with opportunities to visit transit systems abroad, returning with insights and knowledge useful to their organizations, the transit industry, and their own personal transit career advancement.
The primary element of the program is the conduct of two international study missions per year in which teams of public transportation professionals visit exemplary transit operations in other countries. Each study mission focuses on a theme that encompasses issues of concern in public transportation. Cities to be visited are selected on the basis of their ability to demonstrate new ideas or unique approaches to handling public transportation challenges reflected in the study mission's theme. Each study mission begins with a briefing before departing on an intensive, 2-week mission. After this professional interaction, mission participants return home with ideas for possible application in their own communities. Participants are encouraged to share their international experience and findings with peers in the public transit community throughout the United States. To assist in this effort, each participant is required to prepare a trip report on an element of the mission agreed to in advance by the group. These trip reports are then consolidated into a mission report for TCRP publication and dissemination to the transit industry. Study missions normally are conducted in the Spring and Fall of each year. Study teams typically consist of 14 individuals—a senior transit general manager designated as team leader, 12 participants, and a representative of the ITSP contractor team responsible for the smooth operation of the mission. The team leader and participants for each mission are selected on the basis of open nomination processes for each. All travel expenses associated with the study mission are covered by the program. Past missions have visited Africa, Europe, Asia, Canada, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Hungary, Iceland, India, and the People's Republic of China.
Status: The Spring 2012 Mission Theme:
Protecting Passengers, Employees, and Property: Building a Safety Culture.
More than 10 billion trips were provided on U.S. public transportation systems in 2009, and that number is expected to increase steadily over the next 5 years as the economy improves, fuel prices remain high, and the population grows. Public transportation is one of the safest ways to travel, according to data compiled by the Federal Transit Administration. Yet keeping the system safe and secure—protecting passengers, employees, and property—is a growing challenge for public transport agencies: their vehicles and infrastructure are wearing out, increasing numbers of their most highly experienced staff members are retiring from the workforce, ever-more sophisticated electronics and technologies call for frequent training and retraining of staff, and the open access that is fundamental to publictransport systems leaves them vulnerable to attacks by vandals, terrorists, and other criminals. This mission will examine the organizational, operational, and regulatory practices that underpin a pervasive and effective safety culture and yield a high level of safety and security on public transport systems in several cities in Europe. Cancelled.
Status: Due to the current sensitivity associated with international travel and the decrease in TCRP funding, this project is on hold.
TCRP Research Results Digest 89 summarizes the Spring 2008 mission to Ireland, Germany, Italy, and Spain
TCRP Research Results Digest 92 summarizes the Fall 2008 mission to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, and Brisbane, Australia.
TCRP Research Results Digest 95 summarizes the Spring 2009 mission to China, Malaysia, and Taiwan
TCRP Research Results Digest 96 summarizes the Fall 2009 mission to Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil.
TCRP Research Results Digest 101 summarizes the Spring 2010 mission toUnited Kingdom; France; Germany; and Norway.
TCRP Research Results Digest 102 summarizes the Fall 2010 mission to Turkey, Egypt, and South Africa.
TCRP Research Results Digest 103 summarizes the Spring 2011 mission to India and China.
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