SWUTC Research Project Description
Title of Project: Transportation for Humanity: Meeting the Needs in the Colonias
Project Number: 167178
Principal Investigator:
Beverly Storey
(979) 845-7217
P.I. Affiliation: Texas A&M University
Project Monitor:
Oscar Munoz
Deputy Director
Center for Housing & Urban Development
Colonias Program
Texas A&M University
(979) 862-2372
Project Status: Active
Date Started: 9/1/07
Estimation Completion Date: 8/31/08
Estimated Cost - Current Fiscal: $45,000
Estimated Cost - Total Planned: $45,000
Project Summary:
Project Abstract:
An estimated 500,000 Texas residents, most of whom are legal citizens of the United States, currently live under poor conditions in colonias along the Texas-Mexico border. They are challenged daily with the simple tasks of seeing their children off to school, going to work, obtaining water for daily use, buying groceries, obtaining quality health care, and having their trash removed. The colonia communities have numerous problems, but one that transcends most other issues is the lack of reliable, safe and affordable transportation, both public and private. The Colonias Van Project was an innovative initial effort to satisfy the public transportation needs of the colonia communities; however, this project is completed and the vehicles used during its course are depleted and not slated for replacement. This research will focus on personal or private vehicles instead of public transportation.
The goal of the research will be to assess and document innovative, affordable, and cost-effective methods for meeting some of the unique transportation challenges facing residents of the colonias. There are three key components of this research effort: a feasibility study for vehicle procurement through donations or at-cost purchases from a variety of entities and/or individuals to support the program, development of a qualification and selection criteria structure and implementation process for distribution of vehicles to residents, and determination of an equitable payment for the vehicle. A guidance document that is both informative and useful will be created which outlines a process that will translate to both urban and rural communities with similar socio-economic conditions.
Project Objectives:
The goal of the research team will be to assess and document innovative, affordable, and cost-effective methods for meeting some of the unique transportation challenges facing residents of the colonias. There are three key components of this research effort. The first is a feasibility study for vehicle procurement through donations or at-cost purchases from a variety of entities and/or individuals to support the program. This part of the study may include providing vehicle repair and maintenance services. The second component will involve the development of a qualification and selection criteria structure and implementation process for distribution of vehicles to residents. The third part will be to determine equitable payment for the vehicle, whether this consists of donated time, low or no interest loans, or other valued systems such as vehicle maintenance and repair.
A task force composed of key decision-makers in cities and counties along the Texas-Mexico border who will communicate with the research team and each other electronically to aid in the research and serve as a critical link to the colonias. Working with the task force, the research team will initially identify the number of residents in the colonias along the Texas-Mexico border and assess their transportation needs. Information will be gathered from a literature review and a number of case studies on innovative transportation programs both in Texas and across the United States. Having identified possible innovative solutions, the research team will identify potential funding sources and programs to aid in the acquisition of safe, reliable vehicles. Target donor entities may come from the automobile industries, car rental companies, automobile dealerships and other used vehicle sources. A guidance document that is both informative and useful will be created which outlines a process that will translate to both urban and rural communities with similar socio-economic conditions. The overall goal is to provide the citizens of Texas who reside in colonias with transportation alternatives that improve their quality of life and increase their potential success toward living the American dream.
Task Descriptions:
Task 1: Establish Task Force
The research team will assemble a task force composed of key decision-makers in cities and counties along the Texas-Mexico border who will communicate with the research team and each other electronically to aid in the research and serve as a critical link to the colonias. The project monitor, research supervisor, and other key staff at TTI will approach individuals both involved with and long-time advocates for the colonias to ensure that a high-quality and committed task force is assembled.
Task 2: Conduct Assessment of Colonias in Texas
Working with the task force, the research team will initially identify possible the number of colonias along the Texas-Mexico border and the number of residents facing these challenges. They will also assess the transportation needs of the residents in the colonias and the vehicle services to which they currently have access.
Task 3: Conduct Literature Review, Assessment of Potential Solutions, and Case Studies
After identifying gaps in the current services, the researchers will identify potential innovative and cost-effective methods of filling those gaps and improving services, information which will be gathered from a literature review and a number of case studies on innovative rural transportation programs both in Texas and across the United States. This review will include programs that require a qualification, service and/or repayment criteria similar, in concept only, to the Habitat for Humanity program.
Task 4: Feasibility of Vehicle Procurement
Having identified possible innovative solutions, the research team will identify potential funding sources and programs to aid in the acquisition of safe, reliable vehicles and the feasibility of implementation. This research will include identifying sources for vehicle procurement through donations or at-cost purchases from a variety of entities and/or individuals to support the program. Target donor entities may come from the automobile industries, car rental companies, automobile dealerships and other used vehicle sources. Other sources for used vehicles may include government auctions. Potential funding programs may be part of those funded through agencies and organizations such as the Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility, the Community Transportation Association, the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Center for Health Care Strategies, and others.
The research will also identify possible service providers and the feasibility of them providing vehicle repair and maintenance services as part of the program. The project will explore the feasibility of using of high schools, community colleges and/or technical colleges with automotive repair and service curriculum as support for the program.
Task 5: Develop of Selection Criteria
The research from the literature review will assist in the development of a qualification and selection criteria structure and implementation process for distribution of vehicles to select residents. The Task Force will be queried for assistance in the development of criteria that meets the needs in the colonias based upon local experiences.
Task 6: Determine Equitable Re-Payment Structure
An equitable re-payment system for the vehicle will be developed. The feasibility of several systems will be explored. These may include, but are not limited to, donated time, low or no interest loans, or other valued systems such as vehicle maintenance and repair, community service, and other structured systems. The structure will also be based upon local availability and the socio-economic community.
Task 7: Develop Guidance Document
A guidance document that is both informative and useful will be created which documents a process that will translate to both urban and rural communities with similar socio-economic conditions. These results will be made available to counties, local governments, and other agencies that serve colonias and similar areas, whether rural or urban. The guide will provide the qualification and selection criteria structure, vehicle procurement process and available funding sources for the purchase of vehicles using low or no interest loans. The guide will also include implementing unique strategies to solve transportation problems in the colonias.
Task 8: Final Report
A final report and recommendations outlined in the guidance document will be written and submitted.
Index Terms:
Texas Colonias, Transportation Services, Innovative Funding, Transit, Community Outreach