Rural Public Transit System Feasibility & Planning Study -

Rural Public Transit System Feasibility & Planning Study

Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission (OVRDC) and the City of Chillicothe retained Carpenter Marty Transportation (CM) to complete the Ross County Rural Transit Feasibility Study. This study is currently underway. A stakeholders group was formed and meetings were held to evaluate and understand the need of county transportation to the City. A public survey was developed using input/guidance from the stakeholder group. The survey data was analyzed and summarized by CM. The survey will be utilized to further evaluate and understand the need of county transportation to the City.

Demographic data was compiled via available online census data and StreetLight data. The data will be used to determine income level, poverty, family status, education level, age range, health, disability, and means of transportation to work. An origin destination (OD) study will be developed using Streetlight data to determine existing heavy travel patterns. This data will be matched with census data on lack of vehicle ownership, disabilities, poverty, etc. Heavy travel patterns from areas with low vehicle ownership, high handicap population, and impoverished areas could indicate potential transit needs.

At a planning-level, the financial impact/benefit to the City from increasing access for employees and consumers outside the City limits will be estimated. Planning-level transit solutions and costs to meet the identified need will be determined. The Transit Feasibility Study will be tailored to directly link to goals in the Coordinated Plan, while providing a guide for planning-level next steps for both the Chillicothe Transit System and other partner agencies in the county. A Ross County Transit Feasibility Study report will be developed which will include background, data, analysis, input from public/stakeholders, conclusions, and recommendations.