The RTA is working in partnership with the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (AAATA), the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT), the Detroit Transportation Corporation (DTC)/The People Mover, M1 Rail/QLine, and Suburban Mobility Regional Transportation Authority (SMART) on several planning and pilot projects aimed at moving the region’s people, investing in the region’s future, enhancing the region’s quality of life, and connecting the region’s communities. See below for information on all of the RTA’s active projects.

The RTA envisions a region with sufficient and stable funding to support improved public transit options that will advance equity by increasing accessibility; satisfy the integrated mobility needs of Southeast Michigan communities; and promote livable, healthy, and sustainable growth. We need a comprehensive plan to realize that vision. As Southeast Michigan moves toward recovery from COVID-19 and its economic impacts, it is our collective responsibility to plan and build a more comprehensive and connected transit network that lifts up and serves all people in our region for generations to come. 

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The RTA secured federal 5310 dollars to fund MyRide2 travel management services for our region. MyRide2 provides mobility management services for seniors and adults with disabilities throughout the RTA region. It includes information on 187 providers, including all major transit providers, non-profit and social service providers, local government services, and private transportation providers. It receives an average of 264 calls and 658 web hits every month for trip planning services. That number has grown by 89% over the last 5 years (average increase of 13% per year). In 2019, MyRide2 directly booked over 4,000 trips for people in the RTA region. When coupled with calls for trip planning and booking directly received by the major transit providers there is over 50,000 opportunities a month for an expiated customer experience.

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In December 2020, the RTA, in partnership with the transit providers and key stakeholders, completed the development of the first regional coordinated human service transportation plan for Southeast Michigan (Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties). OnHand: Expanding Transportation Access Across Southeast Michigan is a regional strategy to strengthen coordination among transportation programs. The plan focuses on services that enhance mobility for older adults, people with disabilities, and people with low incomes. It is also intended to guide future regional transportation investment decisions. The RTA also developed an updated Program Management Plan that directs the implementation of a regional call for projects for federal Enhanced Mobility of Seniors & Individuals with Disabilities program (Section 5310).

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In December 2020, the RTA, in partnership with the transit providers and key stakeholders, completed the development of the Mobility Oriented Development Study along the Woodward Avenue corridor and the Ann Arbor to Detroit rail corridor. The purpose of the study was to develop land use and mobility development strategies and typologies to suit the diverse station areas in the regional transit network. The plan will allow transit providers, local governments, and transportation agencies to have a framework for coordinating development and mobility improvements with the goal of providing the citizens of the region better access to core regional transit services. The final study deliverable is envisioned to serve as a template that can be applied to other rapid corridors across the RTA region.
 

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In early 2019, the RTA was awarded a Michigan Mobility Challenge grant to use innovative technology solution to design and implement a pilot project that allows users to manage and book ADA paratransit rides across multiple counties. Over the course of the last year, the RTA has partnered with the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), the Area Agency on Aging 1-B (AAA1B), AAATA, DDOT, SMART to design a solution that focuses on a way for a paratransit rider to easily request a ride through a mobile app, as well as see up to date information about that ride. 

The pilot ended in December 2022. The final deliverables included two white papers: 

1) Recommended Steps for Making Transit Technology Accessible 

2) Key Factors to Consider in Cross-Agency Ride Coordination with Technology Integration

Access to jobs is arguably the most pressing mobility equity issue throughout the region. In particular, Detroit’s transportation-insecure job seekers are dependent on the availability of mobility options that serve jobs that match their experience to reach the first or next rung on the ladder or opportunity. The RTA, in partnership with several stakeholders, conducted the Detroit Workforce Mobility Equity Analysis to identify origin-destination gaps to match job-seeking Detroiters with minimal-preparedness jobs. The report will provide a platform to build more equity focused recommendations into the regional transit discussion, including where and what types of pilots we conduct, where we look to expand serve, and where we make capital investments. This report was funded by a SEMCOG Planning Equity Grant.

Detroit Workforce Mobility Equity Report

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