Transit accessibility
Paratransit policy and operations
Small transit system operations
Community transit alternatives
Program and performance evaluations
Report and proposal writing/editing
BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
A seasoned transit/paratransit planner and manager with over 30 years of experience in the following:
- Operations
- Training
- Vehicle and equipment design and research
- Policy and industry standards
- Expert consultation and evaluation
- Service design
- Public involvement
- Funding
- Government relations
- Experience spanning 12 years as Accessible Services Manager for AC Transit (Oakland) and Sacramento Regional Transit:
- Coordinated all aspects of fixed route bus and light rail accessibility
- Managed contracted regional ADA paratransit programs
- Developed innovative accessibility programs and vehicle features
- Representation for US transit industry to national & international wheelchair standards and research bodies (ANSI, ISO, RERC-WTS)
- Experience as operations manager for three 40-vehicle paratransit operations, in Oakland, Cincinnati, and Lake County (Ohio)
VITAE
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SERVICES I OFFER
Independent consulting, from technical advice to formal projects, such as plans and evaluation reports, either individually or teamed with other professionals. I offer assistance in many areas of expertise:
Vehicle and service accessibility:
- ADA requirements and compliance
- Wheelchair access and securement
- Accessibility design and equipment
- Accessibility procedures and training
- Rider orientation to accessibility features
- Bus stop, transit center, and station accessibility
- Disability awareness and passenger assistance
Paratransit:
- Service structure and design
- Service policies and eligibility certification
- Dispatch and operations procedures
- Scheduling and communications technology
General transit:
- Contracting with public agencies and private firms
- Performance monitoring, tracking, and reporting
- Vehicle selection and specifications
- Systemwide performance evaluation
- Employee recruitment, screening, and training
Customer and public involvement:
- Rider surveys and research
- Rider guides and educational materials
- Complaint procedures and quality monitoring
- Consumer advisory and advocacy strategies
Community transit alternatives:
- Development of neighborhood circulators and "hybrid" services
- Identifying appropriate transit services for senior and disabled travelers
- Market research for target group mobility needs
Professional, high-quality writing and editing:
- Studies and evaluation reports
- Grant applications and proposals
- Marketing and educational materials
PROJECT EXAMPLES
As a consultant:
- Assistance in bus system wheelchair securement policy, procedures, and training for several transit systems in California, as well as for a statewide insurance pool
- Expert witness evaluation/testimony in litigation involving wheelchair securement, passenger assistance, and paratransit service performance
- On-board service monitoring and analysis for public transit systems in Sacramento and Orange County, Calif.
- Researched and co-authored a national study on wheelchair access in transportation sponsored by Easter Seals Project ACTION
- Served as instructor for the California Transit/Paratransit Management Certificate Program (University of the Pacific) course, "A Transit Manager's Guide to Regulations and Funding"
- Operational and needs assessment for a small city senior center-based paratransit program
- Analysis/revision of ADA stop announcement requirements for Sacramento Regional Transit District
- Operational and ADA compliance evaluation for ADA paratransit programs in Baltimore, Austin, Texas, and Breckenridge, Colorado
- Facilitation of a study for cost effectiveness and future funding options for the San Francisco ADA paratransit program
As a transit system planner and manager:
- Developed a wheelchair marking and tether strap program for customers, coordinated pilot demonstrations of new wheelchair securement equipment designs, and coordinated the design of new rear-facing wheelchair stations in AC Transit European BRT-style buses
- Managed a study of the services design and structure of the East Bay Paratransit Consortium (AC Transit and BART)
- Coordinated participation in, and responses to, FTA ADA reviews of ADA Paratransit (East Bay) and Key Station accessibility (Sacramento)
- Managed a performance evaluation and ADA compliance review of the Sacramento ADA paratransit program
- Wrote and managed ADA paratransit plan updates for Sacramento and East Bay Paratransit & Sacramento light rail key station accessibility plan
- Developed rider policies for East Bay Paratransit, and gave "how to" training presentations at NTI, APTA, and state association meetings
DOUGLAS J. CROSS TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING
P.O. Box 10268
Oakland, California 94610-0268
(510) 530-7198
email: djcross at pacbell dot net
www.douglasjcross.com