Conditions and Performance Chapter Listing

Conditions and Performance Home Page

Transit Economics Requirements Model

TERM's Structure

Asset Rehabilitation and Replacement Module

Asset Expansion Module

Performance Enhancement Module

Benefit-Cost Tests

Rural and Specialized Transit Service Investments

Rural and Specialized Transit Service Investments

Data on rural vehicles and fleet age, as reported in Chapter 3, is available from the Community Transportation Association of America. The cost to maintain conditions for rural and specialized transit vehicles is calculated by determining the number of vehicles that must be replaced annually to maintain the current average fleet age and multiplying this number by the average cost per replacement vehicle. The vehicle replacement ages are set using FTA's minimum useful life guidelines. The resulting investment requirement estimates are then added to the TERM results.

While data are available on the inventory and condition of maintenance facilities for rural and specialized transit operators, no information is available on required capitalization costs. FTA grants for all urban facilities have about equaled the grants for vehicles over the last several years. Rural area facility needs are likely to be proportionately less than urban needs, since, because of the nature of rural service, there is less need for ancillary facilities such as terminals, stations, and park-and-ride lots. Similar considerations apply to specialized transit facilities. Accordingly, for purposes of analysis, rural and specialized facility needs are calculated at one-half of rural vehicle needs. This is based on the past relationship between transit bus and bus facility expenditures. The resulting requirements are then added to the TERM results.