CR Associates served as a sub-consultant for the Designing Transit Accessible Communities (DTAC) study under contract to the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG).  A key goal of the DTAC project was to develop a toolkit of recommendations to assist local governments in creating safer, more comfortable environments for transit users as they access bus stops by foot or by bicycle.

Dr. Ryan led the development of an innovative cluster analysis to categorize the 5,800+ bus stop areas within the MAG region.  Based on the identified clusterings, a hierarchy of bus stop areas was identified and used to develop prototypical pedestrian and bicycle improvement concepts.

Once the bus stop areas were categorized, case study locations were selected to represent each bus stop category, and a more in-depth examination of these areas was performed.  Sherry led the development of primary data collection tools, such as intercept surveys and observation tools, as well as training staff to perform data collection at bus stop area case study locations.

The final steps in this project were focused on developing a funding framework that includes a variety of funding options for bicycle and pedestrian improvements near transit stops, improvement costs, and prioritization criteria to guide implementation.  The project ultimately provided a set of documents that serve as a roadmap for MAG member agencies to better plan, fund, and implement improved pedestrian and bike access to transit.