Strategic Solutions for Job Access Gap Analysis in Allegheny County

1. CommuteInfo Partners August 2011 A Strategic Approach to Addressing the Job Access Issue

2. A PresentationFrom Two Perspectives • Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board, Vera Krofcheck • Accessible Transportation and Workforce Interagency Cooperative, Kathy Stefani

3. Background & Focus • Why Gap Analysis? • Coordinated Transportation Plan Update  Federal requirement • Less JARC & New Freedom Funds  Need to make smarter investments • Changes in PAAC services  Jobs that are no longer accessible by public transit • What was Done? • GIS analysis of bus routes and job sites  Assessment of disconnect • Focus on specific industries  Entry-level jobs • Focus on specific locations  Different issues – Different solutions • What is Missing? • People  Trip origin aspect • Region Allegheny County only • Asset-based understanding of locations Ideas for solutions

4. Big Picture • Maps • Job locations  by size, by industry • Bus routes  .25 mile buffer • Disconnected sites  by geographic regions in county • Statistics • # and % of disconnected jobs and disconnected employers  by regions & by industries • Combined statistics per municipality  High priority areas

5. Analysis

6. Analysis

7. Analysis

8. Defining theProblem

9. Defining theProblem

10. Defining theProblem

11. Getting SmarterAbout the Gaps • Through ATWIC-Led Analyses • 2011 TRWIB Study of Allegheny County Employment Sites and Transit Connectivity • 2011 ATWIC Online Transportation Gaps Survey • 2010 SPC Report on Environmental Justice • Through Agency Engagement • ATWIC’s Accessible Transportation Task Force • Scheduled to meet 4 times between now and June 30, 2012 • Sept 20th, Dec 13th, Feb 23rd, May 24th • Opportunity for more in-depth involvement through participation in an Ad-Hoc Working Group: Employment Sites/Transit Service Disconnections in Allegheny County

12. SO…What We Need toKnow to Get Started • Job Location • Types of Jobs Available • Education/skills required • Starting wages • Work schedules • Potential for advancement • Transportation Access to a Job Location • How do current workers get to/from a given workplace? • Is there a need for other job access options?

13. Based on TRWIB Study • Job Location • Moon & Robinson Townships – 11,617 jobs/530 businesses • Pine, McCandless, Ross, and Marshall Townships – 20,663 jobs/1,452 businesses • Monroeville – 7,522 jobs/325 businesses • Types of Jobs Available • Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services – 2,943 jobs • Healthcare and Social Assistance – 3,867 jobs • Retail Trade – 2,974 jobs • Accommodations and Food Service – 2,494 jobs • Transportation Access to a Job Location • Transit disconnect, BUT IS THIS REALLY A PROBLEM? • If a problem, WHAT IS THE BEST SOLUTION?

14. ‘Missing Mile’Services in Operation • Airport Corridor Transportation Association • For access to jobs; free service; 5-7 days/week • RideACTA – Routes 24, 29, 28X – IKEA to businesses in Robinson Town Center • RideACTA – West Busway to Penn Center West Building Five • ACCESS Transportation Services • For eligible & registered people with disabilities; $2.25 one way; 7 days/week • Connections – Throughout Allegheny County • Heritage Community Initiatives • For access to jobs; free service; 6 days/week; requires program registration • WorkLink - Clairton, East Pittsburgh, Glassport, McKeesport, North Versailles, Port Vue • Major Job-Related Sites: Jefferson & McKeesport hospitals, CCAC West Mifflin, Wal-Mart, Westinghouse Human Service Center

15. Finding theBest Solutions • Work collaboratively, sharing expertise and experiences. • Consider ALL transportation options - whether it’s driving, car- or vanpooling, public transit, biking, or walking. • Develop a ‘menu’ of access options for areas where there are jobs in need of workers.