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NH COG advances transit study recommendations; authorizes RFP for road asset-management software
Summary
Staff reported next steps from a regional transit analysis — bus-stop placement, stop amenities and centralized dispatch for demand-response — and updated members on public-works equipment sharing and state TRIP grants. The council authorized staff to solicit requests for information for roadway management and planning software.
Eric (transportation planner) summarized a completed transit analysis and told members the two priority next steps are a bus-stop placement/amenity study and exploring a centralized dispatch for demand-response services to reduce unmet trip demand.
"One of the top recommendations... is a bus stop placement and money study," Eric said, listing tasks: reviewing existing stop visibility and location, identifying needed infrastructure, testing temporary signage where signs are lacking and identifying shelter and bench locations.
Eric said Hartford HealthCare — Torrington had expressed interest and possible financial support for implementing stop improvements. He also reported meetings with Northwest Transit District leadership endorsing the study.
On demand-response services, Eric said multiple providers now require riders to call several numbers and that a centralized dispatch would give callers a single number, generate a clearer dataset on unmet demand and facilitate shared services among providers.
Rob and Eric also updated members on several other transportation items: the Public Works Equipment Collaborative has local towns agreeing to jointly own some equipment (example: a straw blower shared by Litchfield and Winchester) while other items will be sold on GovDeals; four towns received Transportation Alternatives/Trip program awards (Barkhamsted, Burlington, Goshen and Litchfield) totaling several million dollars for roadway and bridge work; and staff are seeking member authorization to begin an RFP process for roadway management and planning software.
The council moved and approved a motion to authorize the chair to solicit requests for information for road management planning software. The motion was made by the Town of Burlington representative, seconded by the Town of Washington representative, and recorded as approved by unanimous voice vote.
What members asked: Paul (Winstead) urged staff to consult with towns that have already done procurement work and to reuse existing RFP language. A member asked how Dial-A-Ride factored into the study; Eric confirmed Dial-A-Ride was included and considered in recommendations.
Next steps: staff will pursue the bus-stop placement study with Northwest Transit District, continue conversations on centralized dispatch, coordinate with towns awarded TRIP funding on next steps, and issue an RFP/RFI for road asset-management software as authorized by the council.
