0. FTA Transit Asset Management Guide for Small Providers
Mshadoni Smith, PhD
MTAP / SCOPT Winter Meeting
December 3, 2015
Washington, DC

1. Session Overview Background on Transit Asset Management (TAM)
Overview of TAM Guide for Small Providers
Q&A
Group Discussion
Session purpose: Ensure guide is at the right level of sophistication and usability

2. TAM Definition and Need
What is Transit Asset Management?
A business model that uses the condition of assets to guide the optimal prioritization of funding at transit properties in order to keep our transit networks in a State of Good Repair (SGR)
Why is it important?
Estimates from the National State of Good Repair Assessment identified an $86 billion backlog in deferred maintenance and replacement needs, a backlog that continues to grow.

3. National TAM System
Define state of good repair, including objective standards
Require TAM Plans for all recipients and sub-recipients
Establish
SGR performance measures, recipients set targets
Report data to the NTD
Provide Technical assistance from FTA

4. FTA Rule-making Process
MAP-21 Effective (2012)
Informal Outreach ( )
ANPRM Open for Comment (2013)
NPRM Open for Comment
(2015)
Comment Review
Final Rule Issued

5. TAM Guide for Small Providers
Assist rural, tribal, and smaller urbanized area providers in understanding TAM requirements and developing a TAM Plan to manage assets and comply with the MAP-21 mandate and FTA Final Rule on TAM

6. Guiding Principles for the TAM Guide for Small Providers
Streamlined: focused on assets, practices, and requirements directly applicable to small operators.
Flexible: allows for tailoring to address outliers and incorporate related state-level requirements that may differ across states.
Practical: provides master template for small providers to develop TAM Plans and a repository of optional strategies and tips that can be applied to increase efficiency of day-to-day efforts
Principles set to guide development of the Guide. With the Guide, FTA intends to assist small providers in complying with TAM requirements while also offering concise guidance for maximizing use of critical vehicles and facilities and planning for long-term capital needs.

7. Approach to Guide Development
MAP-21/ FTA TAM Rule
2012 FTA Asset Management Guide
Best practices research
State DOT input
Small provider input
Industry Group input
FTA TAM Guide for Small Providers
The Guide synthesizes input from various sources.
The 2012 FTA TAM Guide, which was mentioned previously.
Focus group comprised of state DOT representatives and a sampling of small providers.
We will also seek input from RTAP and CTAA on the draft Guide once completed.
Research on best practices and industry standards.

8. Guide Structure Part I Part II Primer on TAM and TAM requirements
Repository of effective TAM practices
Frequently Asked Questions
Additional Resources
Part II
TAM Plan template for small providers

9. Guide Development Timeline
Develop outline for Part I of Guide
Spring 2015
Identify “focus group” participants and initiate outreach
Begin drafting Part I of Guide
Summer 2015
Review NPRM for consistency with Part I draft
Oct-Nov 2015
Revise Part I and develop TAM Plan template
Nov-Dec 2015
Engage “focus group”
Dec 2015
Test content with “focus group”
Jan-Feb 2015
Finalize Guide based on “focus group” input and publish
Mar 2015

10. Questions about the Guide?

11. Group Discussion
What areas are most important for the Guide to explain/clarify/address for you?
Of the areas discussed, which are most important for your subrecipients?
What do you expect to be the greatest challenge in developing a TAM Plan?
Refer to your handout for specific areas currently addressed in the current Guide as a starting point for discussion. While we expect to include all of these elements, what we would like to know is where we should focus most of the effort, what sections should be the most detailed.

12. Group Discussion
Please share some effective practices for asset management as related to:
Tracking and inspecting conditions of buses
Bus maintenance, overhaul, and replacement
Techniques to extend bus useful life/revenue service
Planning for short-term and long-term capital investment needs
Local funding sources to support asset management
What are some questions you’ve received on TAM that might be helpful for the Guide to address under FAQs?

13. Mshadoni Smith
Thank you!