cat public transit vision - Plan For Transit

COLLIER AREA TRANSIT TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT PLAN FY 2011-2020 MAJOR UPDATE

FINAL REPORT

PREPARED FOR: COLLIER COUNTY ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION MODES 2885 SOUTH HORSESHOE DRIVE NAPLES, FLORIDA 34104 Ph (239) 252-8192 COLLIER METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION 2885 SOUTH HORSESHOE DRIVE NAPLES, FLORIDA 34104 Ph (239) 252-8192 AUGUST 2010

TINDALE-OLIVER & ASSOCIATES, INC. 1595 SOUTH SEMORAN BOULEVARD, SUITE 1540 WINTER PARK, FLORIDA 32792 Ph (407) 657-9210, Fax (407) 657-9106 1000 NORTH ASHLEY DRIVE, SUITE 100 TAMPA, FLORIDA 33602 Ph (813) 224-8862, Fax (813) 226-2106 545 NORTH BROADWAY AVENUE BARTOW, FLORIDA 33830 Ph (863) 533-8454, Fax (863) 533-8481

The preparation of this document has been financed in part through grants from the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation, under the Metropolitan Planning Program, Section 104(f) of title 23, U.S. Code, and local funding. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 1-1 BACKGROUND .........................................................................................................................1-1 OVERVIEW OF TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT (TDP) REQUIREMENTS..........................................1-2 REPORT ORGANIZATION .........................................................................................................1-6 SECTION 2: BASELINE CONDITIONS ........................................................................................ 2-1 PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA.......................................................................2-1 POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS ............................................................................................2-3 DEMOGRAPHIC AND JOURNEY-TO-WORK CHARACTERISTICS ..............................................2-7 LABOR FORCE AND EMPLOYMENT...................................................................................... 2-15 DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES .................................................................................................. 2-21 ROADWAY CONDITIONS ....................................................................................................... 2-23 REGIONAL TRENDS IN TRANSIT........................................................................................... 2-25 INVENTORY OF EXISTING FIXED-ROUTE SERVICES AND RESOURCES .............................. 2-25 PARATRANSIT SERVICES...................................................................................................... 2-31 PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION PROVIDERS ............................................................................ 2-32 SECTION 3: PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT.......................................................................................... 3-1 REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETINGS ............................................................................................3-1 STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS ..................................................................................................3-2 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT WORKSHOPS.....................................................................................3-8 TRANSIT SURVEYS...................................................................................................................3-9 ON-BOARD SURVEY .............................................................................................................. 3-10 SURVEY APPROACH.............................................................................................................. 3-10 ON-BOARD SURVEY RESULTS.............................................................................................. 3-11 ON-BOARD SURVEY GENERAL CONCLUSIONS.................................................................... 3-35 DISCUSSION GROUP WORKSHOPS ..................................................................................... 3-36 SECTION 4: EVALUATION OF EXISTING TRANSIT SERVICES .................................................... 4-1 FIXED-ROUTE TREND ANALYSIS .............................................................................................4-1 FIXED-ROUTE PEER REVIEW ................................................................................................ 4-10 TRANSIT CAPACITY & SUPPLY ANALYSIS ............................................................................ 4-17 SECTION 5: REVIEW OF PLANS, STUDIES, AND POLICIES ....................................................... 5-1 LOCAL DOCUMENT REVIEW ....................................................................................................5-1 STATE DOCUMENT REVIEW ................................................................................................. 5-18 FEDERAL DOCUMENT REVIEW ............................................................................................ 5-19 SECTION 6: SITUATION APPRAISAL .......................................................................................... 6-1 REGIONAL TRANSIT ISSUES....................................................................................................6-1 SOCIOECONOMICS ..................................................................................................................6-3 TRAVEL BEHAVIOR...................................................................................................................6-5 LAND USE.................................................................................................................................6-5 POLICY ISSUES ........................................................................................................................6-6 ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES.......................................................................................................6-7 TECHNICAL ISSUES .................................................................................................................6-8 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.......................................................................................................6-9 SUMMARY............................................................................................................................. 6-10 Tindale-Oliver & Associates, Inc. August 2010

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Collier Area Transit Transit Development Plan

SECTION 7: TRANSIT DEMAND & MOBILITY NEEDS................................................................ 7-1 RIDERSHIP TRENDS ................................................................................................................7-1 TBEST RIDERSHIP FORECASTING ..........................................................................................7-1 TRANSIT MARKET ASSESSMENT............................................................................................7-3 SECTION 8: GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND INITIATIVES................................................................ 8-1 CAT PUBLIC TRANSIT VISION...................................................................................................8-1 CAT PUBLIC TRANSIT MISSION ...............................................................................................8-1 GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND INITIATIVES...................................................................................8-1 SECTION 9: TRANSIT ALTERNATIVES ...................................................................................... 9-1 METHODS USED TO DEVELOP AND EVALUATE PRIORITIES ..................................................9-1 TEN-YEAR TDP SERVICE ALTERNATIVES ................................................................................9-2 CAPITAL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ALTERNATIVES...................................................................9-3 PLANNING ACTIVITIES .............................................................................................................9-5 POLICY ALTERNATIVES............................................................................................................9-5 RIDERSHIP PROJECTIONS.................................................................................................... 9-10 SECTION 10: TEN-YEAR IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ................................................................10-1 COORDINATION REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................ 10-1 KEY IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES................................................................................... 10-1 MONITORING PROGRAM TO TRACK PERFORMANCE MEASURES ..................................... 10-2 TEN-YEAR TDP NEEDS.......................................................................................................... 10-3 TEN-YEAR TDP FINANCIAL PLAN .......................................................................................... 10-3

APPENDIX A: ADDITIIONAL MAPPING ANALYSIS ..................................................................... A-1 APPENDIX B: MPO/TDP PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PLAN............................................................ B-1 APPENDIX C: PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION PROVIDER QUESTIONNAIRE ................................ C-1 APPENDIX D: PUBLIC OUTREACH AND NOTIFICATIONS..........................................................D-1 APPENDIX E: STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEW QUESTIONS ........................................................... E-1 APPENDIX F: ON-BOARD SURVEY INSTRUMENTS & ADDITIONAL ANALYSIS......................... F-1 APPENDIX G: ALTERNATIVE FUELS AND SMALLER VEHICLE ASSESSMENT..........................G-1 APPENDIX H: TBEST RESULTS AND TRANSIT IMPROVEMENT DETAILS.................................H-1 APPENDIX I:

CAT FAREBOX RECOVERY RATIO REPORT ......................................................... I-1

APPENDIX J: COLLIER COUNTY BOCC TDP APPROVAL............................................................J-1

LIST OF TABLES Table 1-1: Table 2-1: Table 2-2: Table 2-3: Table 2-4:

TDP Checklist ..............................................................................................................1-5 Population Characteristics, Collier County ................................................................2-3 Labor Force Statistics.................................................................................................2-15 Where Collier County Residents Work, by City and CDP ..........................................2-16 Where Collier County Residents Work, by County ....................................................2-16

Tindale-Oliver & Associates, Inc. August 2010

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Table 2-5: Table 2-6: Table 2-7: Table 2-8: Table 2-9: Table 2-10: Table 2-11: Table 2-12: Table 2-13: Table 3-1: Table 3-2: Table 3-3: Table 4-1: Table 4-2: Table 4-3: Table 4-4: Table 4-5: Table 4-6: Table 4-7: Table 4-8: Table 4-9: Table 4-10: Table 4-11 Table 4-12: Table 7-1: Table 9-1: Table 9-2: Table 9-3: Table 10-1: Table 10-2: Table 10-3: Table 10-4: Table 10-5: Table 10-6: Table 10-7:

Where Workers in Collier County Live, by City and CDP ...........................................2-17 Where Workers in Collier County Live, County..........................................................2-17 Top 25 Largest Public and Private Employers .........................................................2-20 Summary of Transit Service Operating Characteristics ..........................................2-26 Summary of 2009 Fixed-Route Performance Statistics...........................................2-28 FY 2008/09 Ridership Data ......................................................................................2-29 Fixed Route Vehicles ................................................................................................2-29 Paratransit Vehicles ...................................................................................................2-32 Collier County Transportation Providers ...................................................................2-33 Stakeholder Participants............................................................................................3-2 On-Board Survey Work Plan .......................................................................................3-11 Average CAT Bus Rider Profile (2010) ......................................................................3-27 Performance Review Measures, CAT Trend Analysis (2004-2009) .......................4-1 General Performance Indicators, CAT Trend Analysis (2004-2009) .......................4-2 Effectiveness Measures, CAT Trend Analysis (2004-2009) ....................................4-4 Efficiency Measures, CAT Trend Analysis (2004-2009)...........................................4-5 Summary of Trend Analysis (2004-2009).................................................................4-9 Selected CAT Peer Systems .......................................................................................4-11 Performance Indicators, CAT Peer Analysis (2008) .................................................4-11 Effectiveness Measures, CAT Peer Analysis (2008) ................................................4-13 Efficiency Measures, CAT Peer Analysis (2008) ......................................................4-14 Summary of Peer Analysis (2008) ............................................................................4-17 2009 Fixed-Route Transit Supply/Capacity Analysis .............................................4-20 2009 Demand Response Transit Supply/Capacity Analysis ...................................4-21 Transit Service Density Threshold .............................................................................7-6 Operating Alternatives Phasing Plan (FY 2011-2020) ............................................9-7 Capital Alternatives Phasing Plan (FY 2011-2020)..................................................9-8 TBEST Ridership Projections .....................................................................................9-11 Summary of Operating and Capital Cost and Revenue (Status Quo)......................10-6 Implementation Schedule for TDP Transit Improvements .......................................10-11 Operating Costs for TDP Transit Improvements .......................................................10-12 Summary of Capital Needs .......................................................................................10-13 Summary of Projected Capital Costs .........................................................................10-14 Summary of Potential Operating and Capital Costs (FY 2011-2010) ....................10-15 Summary of Potential Operating and Capital Revenue (FY 2011-2020)................10-16

LIST OF MAPS Map 2-1: Map 2-2: Map 2-3: Map 2-4: Map 2-5: Map 2-6:

Study Area and Existing Bus Routes .........................................................................2-2 Existing Population Density (2009) ...........................................................................2-5 Future Population Density (2020) .............................................................................2-6 Existing Employment Density (2009) ........................................................................2-10 Low-Income Households (2009) ...............................................................................2-11 Existing Dwelling Unit Density (2009) .......................................................................2-12


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Map 2-7: Map 2-8: Map 2-9: Map 2-10: Map 2-11: Map 3-1: Map 3-2: Map 3-3: Map 7-1: Map 7-2: Map 7-3: Map 9-1:

Population Under Age 15 (2009) ..............................................................................2-13 Population Over Age 60 .............................................................................................2-14 Collier County Commuter Flow...................................................................................2-18 Collier County Labor Shed..........................................................................................2-19 Collier County Future Land Use .................................................................................2-22 Trip Origins and Destinations.....................................................................................3-14 Matched Trip Origins and Destinations.....................................................................3-15 Home Locations by Zip Code ....................................................................................3-29 Transit Orientation Index............................................................................................7-5 2009 Density Threshold Assessment .......................................................................7-8 2020 Density Threshold Assessment .......................................................................7-9 Transit Alternatives.....................................................................................................9-9

LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2-1: Figure 2-2: Figure 2-3: Figure 2-4: Figure 2-5: Figure 3-1: Figure 3-2: Figure 3-3: Figure 3-4: Figure 3-5: Figure 3-6: Figure 3-7: Figure 3-8: Figure 3-9: Figure 3-10: Figure 3-11: Figure 3-12: Figure 3-13: Figure 3-14: Figure 3-15: Figure 3-16: Figure 3-17: Figure 3-18: Figure 3-19: Figure 3-20:

Population Under Age 18 and Over Age 64, Collier County .....................................2-4 Demographic Characteristics.....................................................................................2-8 Journey-to-Work Characteristics ................................................................................2-9 Collier County Concurrency Management System ...................................................2-24 CAT Stops with Peak Ridership by Route ..................................................................2-30 Trip Origin ...................................................................................................................3-12 Trip Destination ..........................................................................................................3-13 Transit Station Access ................................................................................................3-16 Transit Station Egress ................................................................................................3-17 Transfer Summary ......................................................................................................3-17 Top Three Transfer Routes.........................................................................................3-18 Trip Frequency ............................................................................................................3-18 Mode Choice ...............................................................................................................3-19 Fare Payment Method ................................................................................................3-20 Fare Type Paid by Respondent Age ...........................................................................3-21 Fare Type Paid by Respondent Income.....................................................................3-22 Frequency of Use ........................................................................................................3-23 Licensed Drivers ........................................................................................................3-24 Reason for Using CAT ................................................................................................3-25 History of Use..............................................................................................................3-26 Working Vehicles ........................................................................................................3-26 CAT Rider Demographics (2010) ...............................................................................3-28 Service Improvements................................................................................................3-30 BRT Service .................................................................................................................3-31 CAT Information Dissemination ................................................................................3-32


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Figure 3-21: Figure 3-22: Figure 3-23: Figure 3-24: Figure 3-25: Figure 4-1: Figure 4-2: Figure 4-3: Figure 4-4: Figure 4-5: Figure 4-6: Figure 4-7: Figure 4-8: Figure 4-9: Figure 4-10: Figure 4-11: Figure 4-12: Figure 4-13: Figure 4-14: Figure 4-15: Figure 4-16: Figure 4-17: Figure 4-18: Figure 4-19: Figure 4-20: Figure 4-21: Figure 4-22: Figure 4-23: Figure 4-24: Figure 4-25: Figure 4-26: Figure 4-27: Figure 4-28: Figure 4-29: Figure 4-30: Figure 4-31: Figure 4-32: Figure 4-33: Figure 4-34: Figure 7-1:

Service Rating .............................................................................................................3-33 Rider Satisfaction and Age.........................................................................................3-34 Rider Satisfaction and Gender...................................................................................3-34 Rider Satisfaction and Ethnic Heritage .....................................................................3-35 Rider Satisfaction and Household Income ...............................................................3-35 Service Area Population ............................................................................................4-2 Passenger Trips .........................................................................................................4-2 Vehicle Miles ...............................................................................................................4-3 Revenue Miles ...........................................................................................................4-3 Passenger Fare Revenue ...........................................................................................4-3 Operating Expense......................................................................................................4-3 Vehicle Miles per Capita.............................................................................................4-4 Passenger Trips per Capita ........................................................................................4-4 Passenger Trips per Revenue Mile ............................................................................4-4 Passenger Trips per Revenue Hour ...........................................................................4-4 Operating Expense per Capita ...................................................................................4-6 Operating Expense per Passenger Trip .....................................................................4-6 Operating Expense per Revenue Mile .......................................................................4-6 Farebox Recovery Ratio..............................................................................................4-6 Revenue Mile per Vehicle Mile ..................................................................................4-6 Average Fare ..............................................................................................................4-6 Service Area Population .............................................................................................4-11 Service Area Population Density................................................................................4-11 Passenger Trips ..........................................................................................................4-12 Revenue Miles ...........................................................................................................4-12 Revenue Hours ...........................................................................................................4-12 Vehicles Operated in Maximum Service....................................................................4-12 Operating Expense......................................................................................................4-12 Passenger Fare Revenue ..........................................................................................4-12 Vehicle Miles per Capita.............................................................................................4-13 Passenger Trips per Revenue Mile ............................................................................4-13 Weekday Span of Service...........................................................................................4-14 Operating Expense per Capita ...................................................................................4-15 Operating Expense per Passenger Trip .....................................................................4-15 Operating Expense per Revenue Mile ......................................................................4-15 Operating Expense per Revenue Hour ......................................................................4-15 Farebox Recovery .......................................................................................................4-15 Revenue Mile per Vehicle Mile .................................................................................4-15 Average Fare ..............................................................................................................4-16 Monthly Ridership for CAT (2005 to 2009) .............................................................7-1


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Section 1: Introduction Federal, state, and local investments in the provision of public transportation services and transit infrastructure can result in a myriad of community benefits. The Florida Public Transportation Association (FPTA) has published several fact sheets outlining the benefits of public transit and the potential community return on transit investments. Key FPTA public transit facts relating to economic benefits, environmental protection, and reduced dependence on foreign oil are presented below.   

 

  



For every $1 invested in public transportation, $4 is generated in economic returns; Businesses located next to public transit ways have a more reliable employee base and better access to labor pools; Every $10 million in capital investment in public transportation yields $30 million in increased business sales, and every $10 million in operating investment in public transportation yields $32 million in increased business sales; By using public transportation in lieu of owning an automobile, an individual can save an average of more than $9,000 each year; Approximately 80 percent of all transit-related ballot initiatives passed throughout the country in 2008 indicated that the American public supports public transportation; Public transportation in the USA saves 37 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually; Using public transit for a 20-mile roundtrip commute rather than an automobile, will decrease an individuals annual carbon dioxide emissions by 4,800 pounds per year; Public transportation saves America about 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline each year representing a savings of approximately $12 billion per year that will not be spent on foreign oil; and The 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline saved by the transit industry is equivalent to Florida’s entire gasoline consumption for about 7 months.

BACKGROUND The State of Florida Public Transit Block Grant Program was enacted by the Florida Legislature to provide a stable source of State funding for public transportation. The Block Grant Program requires public transit service providers to develop and adopt a ten-year Transit Development Plan (TDP). Major updates must be submitted to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) by September 1st of the year they are due. This FY 2011/2020 TDP is a major update, which is required every five years. Each interim year public transit providers report TDP achievements to FDOT through the submittal of annual progress reports. Collier County population projections included in this TDP will be updated to reflect 2010 Census data in the next progress report submitted to FDOT on September 1, 2011. Tindale-Oliver & Associates, Inc. August 2010

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The TDP is the source for determining the types of projects and their priority in the public transportation component of the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP). The plan must also be consistent with the approved local government comprehensive plans and the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). Collier Area Transit (CAT) is responsible for ensuring completion of the TDP. The next TDP annual progress report will be updated to include relevant data included in the MPO 2035 LRTP. This plan meets the requirements for a major TDP update in accordance with Rule Chapter 14-73, Florida Administrative Code (FAC).

OVERVIEW OF TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT (TDP) REQUIREMENTS The purpose of this study is to undertake a major update of the CAT TDP, as required by State law. This update will result in a ten-year plan addressing transit and mobility needs, cost and revenue projections, and community transit goals, objectives, and policies. Florida Statutes (F.S.) mandates the preparation of the TDP for all transit systems that receive Block Grants from the State of Florida. Relevant sections in the F.S. are provided below. (1)

There is created a public transit block grant program which shall be administered by the department. Eligible providers must establish public transportation development plans consistent, to the maximum extent feasible, with approved local government comprehensive plans of the units of local government in which the provider is located. Section 341.052

(2)

Where there is an approved local government comprehensive plan in the political subdivision or political subdivisions in which the public transportation system is located, each public transit provider shall establish public transportation development plans consistent with approved local government comprehensive plans. Section 341.071

On February 20, 2007, FDOT promulgated Rule 14-73.001, which substantially changed the TDP requirements. The changes are documented below.  

Extended the planning horizon from 5 years to 10 years Required updates every 5 years instead of 3 years


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  

Made the annual report, public involvement, and demand estimation requirements more explicit Required plan approval Established a deadline for said approval in order to qualify for funding

Key requirements in the TDP Rule, as outlined in the draft report “Guidance for Producing a Transit Development Plan,” prepared by the University of South Florida (USF) Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) with Tindale-Oliver & Associates and Dan Boyle & Associates in 2008 for FDOT are summarized below. Key TDP Requirements Who: TDPs are required from all entities who apply for State Transit Grant Funds (Section 341.052, F.S.) When: TDPs must be developed, adopted, and submitted on or before September 1st of the fiscal year for which funding is being sought. A major update is required every 5 years and an annual update/progress report is required for all other years. Where: Plans must be submitted to and on file with the appropriate District Office. Time Period: Plans must cover the fiscal year for which funds are being sought and the subsequent nine years. Plan submittal is a prerequisite to fund receipt. TDP Comments: Compliance will be evaluated by FDOT District staff based on major elements outlined below.  

  

Specification of an approved public participation process and documentation of its use. A situational appraisal that includes at least: o Effects of land use, state and local transportation plans, and other governmental actions and policies, socio-economic trends, organizational issues, and technology; o Estimation of the community’s demand for transit service using an approved technique; and, o Performance evaluation of service provided in the community. The agency vision, mission, and goals. Consideration of alternative courses of action. Ten-year implementation plan including: o Ten-year program of strategies and policies; o Maps indicating areas to be served and types and levels of service; o Monitoring program to track performance; and o Ten-year financial plan noting sources and expenditures of funds.


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

Relationship to other plans and policies.

TDP Annual Update Contents: Annual updates shall be in the form of a progress report on the ten-year implementation program, and shall include:  Past year’s accomplishments compared to the original implementation program;  Analysis of any discrepancies between the plan and its implementation for the past year and steps that will be taken to attain the original goals and objectives;  Any revision to the implementation program for the coming year;  Revised implementation program for the tenth year of the updated plan;  A revised financial plan; and,  A revised list of projects or services needed to meet the goals and objectives. FDOT Review: Within 60 days of receipt, FDOT will notify the applicant regarding compliance and eligibility status. TDP Checklist Table 1-1 is a list of TDP requirements from Rule 14-73.001. The table also indicates whether or not the item was accomplished in this TDP.


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Table 1-1 TDP Checklist Public Involvement Process  Public Involvement Plan (PIP)  PIP approved by FDOT  TDP includes description of public involvement process  Provide notification to FDOT  Provide notification to Regional Workforce Board  Provide notification to MPO Situational Appraisal  Land use  State and local Transportation Plans  Other governmental actions and policies  Socioeconomic trends  Organizational issues  Technology  10-year annual projections of transit ridership using approved model  Do land uses and urban design patterns support/hinder transit service provision?  Calculate farebox recovery Mission and Goals  Provider's vision  Provider's mission  Provider's goals  Provider's objectives Alternative Courses of Action  Development and evaluation of alternative strategies and actions  Benefits and costs of each alternative  Examination of financial alternatives Implementation Program  10-year implementation program  Maps indicating areas to be served  Maps indicating types and levels of service  Monitoring program to track performance measures  10-year financial plan listing operating and capital expenses  Capital acquisition or construction schedule  Anticipated revenues by source Relationship to Other Plans  TDP consistent with Florida Transportation Plan  TDP consistent with Local Government Comprehensive Plan  TDP consistent with MPO Long-Range Transportation Plan  TDP consistent with Regional Transportation Goals and Objectives Submission 

Adopted by Board of County Commissioners



Submitted by September 1, 2010


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REPORT ORGANIZATION This report, which is compiled to support the CAT ten-year TDP Major Update, is composed of ten major sections, including this introduction section. Each section is briefly described below. Section 2 provides a review of the study area population, demographics, travel behavior, commuting patterns, demographic activities, land use, and roadway considerations for Collier County. This includes tables and maps of the study area’s baseline conditions, including population, demographics, and Journey-to-Work characteristics from various sources. In addition, current and planned development activities and growth are also discussed. A review of land use and roadway conditions is also included, followed by a review of regional trends in transit. Section 3 provides an overview of the existing fixed-route transit services in Collier County, including summaries and descriptions of operating characteristics, capital equipment, and other operational features such as Americans with Disabilities (ADA) complementary paratransit service. This section also presents the performance assessment conducted for fixed-route services. This assessment includes trend analysis where performance is reviewed over time. In addition, this section provides the results of the fixed-route peer review analysis. This type of analysis compares the performance of the public transportation system with other transit systems selected as having similar characteristics at a given point in time. A capacity analysis is also conducted, followed by a review and analysis of farebox recovery ratios. Section 4 summarizes the public involvement activities that were undertaken as part of the TDP development process. Public involvement activities discussed and/or summarized in this section include the on-board transit survey distributed to CAT riders in February 2010 and other activities that were completed as part of the TDP. Section 5 presents the review of relevant plans, studies, and policies. The purpose of this effort is to provide information to support an understanding of transit planning issues in Collier County, and support the performance of a situational appraisal, which is an assessment of the operating environment for the transit system. Section 6 presents the situation appraisal for the TDP. The requirements for a major update of a TDP include the need for a situation appraisal of the environment in which the transit agency operates. The purpose of this appraisal is to help develop an understanding of the CAT operating environment in the context of specific elements, including regional issues, socioeconomics, travel behavior, existing and future land use, policy issues, organizational issues, technological issues, and environmental issues.


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Section 7 presents a review and evaluation of transit demand and mobility needs regarding transit services in Collier County. The evaluation was completed by reviewing three major components, including ridership trends, ridership forecasting, and a transit market assessment. Section 8 provides the transit mission for Collier County and the goals, objectives, and initiatives to accomplish the transit mission. The mission, goals, objectives, and initiatives were developed based on discussions with CAT staff, the TDP Review Committee, input through the public involvement process, and the results of the technical evaluations. Section 9 summarizes the potential transit priorities developed as part of the 10-year planning horizon of this TDP update using public, Review Committee, and CAT staff input and the results of various demand analyses. Section 10 presents the 10-year TDP for Collier County, developed based on coordination with CAT staff, public involvement, transit demand analysis, and other recent assessment and evaluation studies conducted for the Collier County area.


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Section 2: Baseline Conditions This section provides an overview of the transit service area, demographics of the service area, and a description of the current transit services within Collier County. The TDP annual progress report submitted to FDOT on September 1, 2011 will include updates to the population estimates and other demographic data included in this TDP in order to reflect the populations presented in the 2010 Census and other relevant data included in the MPO 2035 LRTP. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA Collier County is located in southwest Florida and is bordered on the north by Lee and Hendry counties, on the south by Monroe County, on the east by Broward and Dade counties, and on the west by the Gulf of Mexico. The county consists of three incorporated areas: Naples, Everglades City, and Marco Island. According to the University of Florida (UF) Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR) Florida Statistical Abstract (FSA) 2009, Collier County is approximately 2,025.3 square miles. At least 80 percent of the Collier County land area has been set aside as preserve lands, including Big Cypress National Preserve, Everglades National Park, two national wildlife refuges, one national research reserve, three state parks, one state forest, and a number of other public and private parks and nature preserves. In addition, Collier County has nearly 50 miles of public beaches. Map 2-1 provides an illustration of the study area for the TDP.


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Immokalee Cape Coral

LEE

Immokalee Inset Immokalee

2010 Collier Area Transit Transit Development Plan

Legend Route 1A

Naples

HENDRY

Route 1B Route 1C Route 2A Route 2B Route 3A

Naples Inset Bonita Springs--Naples

Route 3B Route 4A Route 4B Route 5 Route 6 Route 7 Route 7 Express

Marco Island

Route 8A Route 8B Route 9 Everglades City Urbanized Areas Conservation Areas

Marco Island Inset Marco Island

0 0.5 1

Map 2-1 Study Area and Existing Bus Routes

2 Miles

Sources: Collier County GIS, FGDL, CAT & ESRI.

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POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS According to BEBR, the population of Collier County is expected to increase from 251,377 in 2000 to 331,800 in 2010, an increase of 32 percent. The data for 2000 through 2020 were compiled using the 2000 Census, 2009 FSA, and 2009 ESRI demographic data. Table 2-1 provides selected population characteristics for Collier County for 2000, 2008, 2010, 2015, and 2020. Table 2-1 Population Characteristics, Collier County (2000-2020) 2000

2008 BEBR / 2009 ESRI

2010

2014 ESRI / 2015 BEBR

2020

C hange 2000-2008 BEBR / 2000-2009 ESRI

Persons (BEBR)

251,377

332,854

331,800

363,300

400,700

32.4%

Persons (ESRI) Total Land Area (Square Miles) Persons Per Square Mile (BEBR) Persons Per Square Mile (ESRI)

251,377

355,940

2025.3

2025.3

2025.3

2025.3

2025.3

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

124.1

164.3

163.8

179.4

197.8

32.4%

-0.3%

9.5%

124.1

175.7

396,817

C hange 2008-2010

Change 2010-2020

-0.3%

9.5%

41.6%

195.9

41.6%

Source: 2000 Census, BEBR Florida Statistical Abstract 2009, Forty-Third Edition, and ESRI 2009

As a popular tourist destination, Collier County has a large number of seasonal residents and tourists. According to the Economic Development Council of Collier County, Collier County’s population rises by an estimated 20 percent during the winter season, which traditionally last from November through April. The BEBR projections included in Table 2-1 refer solely to permanent residents and do not include tourists or seasonal residents. (Note: The population estimates and projections provided by BEBR may not exactly match those provided by the U.S. Census. ESRI demographic data is higher than BEBR and Census demographic information; however, ESRI projections are the most current projections available for mapping purposes. As 2010 Census data sets are available, annual TDP progress reports and the next TDP Major Update will be revised to reflect the population projections reported in the 2010 Census. Staff of CAT and the Collier MPO will review available data sets and ensure consistency of population data when completing future plan updates to the TDP and LRTP, as feasible.)


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Map 2-2 displays Collier County’s 2009 population by block group and Map 2-3 displays the County’s 2020 projected population by block group. The majority of the County’s population density is 0-2 persons per acre. Block groups containing population densities greater than 4 persons per acre are located within the City of Naples, East Naples, Marco Island, Immokalee, Golden Gate, Naples Manor, and Naples Park. As shown in Maps 2-2 and 2-3, the 2020 projected population distribution is similar to the 2009 population distribution. In general, Collier County’s residents are older than the average Florida resident. Figure 2-1 displays population trends that suggest mobility needs will increase as the County’s population of seniors and others continue to age. Twenty four percent of Collier County’s population is over 64 years old, while the same group only makes up 17 percent of Florida’s total population. Figure 2-1

Population under Age 18 and over Age 64 22% 25%

24%

20% 17%

20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Under 18 Florida


Over 64 Collier County

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Immokalee

LEE

Immokalee Inset 2010 Collier Area Transit Transit Development Plan Legend

Route 1A Route 1B

Naples

HENDRY

Route 1C Route 2A Route 2B Route 3A Route 3B

Naples Inset

Route 4A Route 4B Route 5 Route 6 Route 7

Route 7 Express

Route 8A Route 8B Route 9

Marco Island

Everglades City

2009 Population Density Persons/Acre 0-2 2-4 4-6

6 - 10 10 +

Marco Island Inset

0 0.5 1

2 Miles

Map 2-2 2009 Population Density

Sources: Collier County GIS, FGDL, CAT & ESRI. Note: ESRI demographic data is higher than BEBR and Census demographic information; however, ESRI projections are the most current projections available.

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Immokalee

LEE

Immokalee Inset 2010 Collier Area Transit Transit Development Plan Legend

Route 1A Route 1B

Naples

HENDRY

Route 1C Route 2A Route 2B Route 3A Route 3B

Naples Inset

Route 4A Route 4B Route 5 Route 6 Route 7

Route 7 Express

Route 8A Route 8B Route 9

Marco Island

Everglades City

2020 Population Density Persons/Acre 0-2 2-4 4-6

6 - 10 10 +

Marco Island Inset

0 0.5 1

2 Miles

Map 2-3 2020 Population Density

Sources: Collier County GIS, FGDL, CAT & ESRI. Note: ESRI demographic data is higher than BEBR and Census demographic information; however, ESRI projections are the most current projections available.

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DEMOGRAPHIC AND JOURNEY-TO-WORK CHARACTERISTICS Collier County’s demographic characteristics were compiled from the 2000 Census, the 2009 FSA, and the 2008 American Community Survey (ACS). Both the Census and the ACS base these estimates on a sampling of the total population. Journey-to-Work information is not projected by BEBR in the 2009 FSA; therefore, 2000 Census and 2008 ACS data were used to illustrate the Journey-to-Work characteristics. Figure 2-2 provides selected demographic data for Collier County, and Figure 2-3 illustrates Journey-to-Work characteristics for Collier County. Many of the characteristics provided in Figure 2-2 and Figure 2-3 were chosen because of their known influence on transit use. Figure 2-2 shows that Collier County’s demographics have not significantly changed from 2000 to 2008 in terms of gender, education, and age. The percent of the population of Hispanic origin has increased slightly from 19.6 percent in 2000 to 25.5 percent in 2008. The percent of residents with incomes greater than $100,000 also increased. In 2000, 18.1 percent of residents earned greater than $100,000 and in 2008 27.8 percent of the population was in this category. Figure 2-3 shows that public transit mode share has slightly decreased since 2000. In 2000, 1.9 percent of residents utilized public transit as a means of transportation to work compared to 1.1 percent of the population in 2008. Driving alone has slightly increased. Carpooling and walking decreased; however, bicycling and working from home increased. Travel times have slightly increased, with 26.2 percent of people traveling between 20 and 29 minutes in 2008 compared to 21.4 percent in 2000. Maps 2-4 through 2-8 provide selected characteristics for Collier County that are particularly relevant to the TDP process. The maps display 2009 employment densities, low-income populations, dwelling unit densities, population under age 15, and population over age 60 by block group. Employment densities are highest in Immokalee and the City of Naples. The low-income populations are highest in Immokalee. Similar to the population density, the majority of the County’s dwelling unity density is 0-2 dwelling units per acre. Block groups containing high percentages of the population under age 15 are located in the northern portion of the County and the City of Naples. Block groups containing high percentages of the population over age 60 are located in the southern portion of the County, Marco Island, throughout the City of Naples, and north of the City of Naples. Based on the availability of demographic data, maps depicting the disabled population, the number of vehicles per household, and commute times were developed utilizing 2000 Census data and are included as Appendix A.


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Figure 2-2 Demographic Characteristics, Collier County (2000 and 2008)

Gender

0%

20%

30%

Ethnic Origin

60%

Male Female

49.9% 49.1% 50.3%

Black Other

9.4% 4.9%

15‑34 Years

21.2% 21.4% 17.6% 37.7% 34.9% 38.3% 24.5% 26.6% 23.6%

10.2% 9.7% 26.2% 26.4% 5.8% 6.9% 18.2% 19.5%

Bachelor's degree

$10,000 to $14,999

9.7% 11.4% 6.0% 5.2% 4.1% 2.8%

$15,000 to $24,999

11.6% 9.7%

$25,000 to $34,999

12.9% 10.3%

$35,000 to $49,999

17.1% 14.4% 19.4% 17.3%

$50,000 to $74,999 $75,000 to $99,999

2000 Census 2008 ACS 2009 FSA

8.0% 7.0%

High school graduate

Less than $10,000

86.1% 90.7%

19.6% 25.5% 25.9% 16.4% 17.1% 20.4%

Professional school, Master’s or Doctorate

100%

80.4% 74.5% 74.1%