1.2 Agency Descriptions
Fourteen public and private transportation agencies from five large metropolitan areas were interviewed. These agencies are listed below.
Charleston, South Carolina
South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT)
SCDOT manages all of the highways and freeways throughout the State of South Carolina.
South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD)
SCEMD consists of six sections—the Director’s Office, Public Information, Preparedness and Recovery, Response and Operations, Critical Incident Management Group, and Administrative Services. The Preparedness and Recovery section of SCEMD is responsible for the development, coordination, and maintenance of emergency plans, which include the South Carolina Emergency Operations Plan, Hurricane Plan, Earthquake Plan, and selected other natural hazard plans.
Jacksonville, Florida
City of Jacksonville Department of Public Works – Traffic Engineering
The City of Jacksonville Traffic Engineering Division is responsible for a number of traffic engineering services including street marking and signing, traffic signals, and other operations relating to traffic control devices.
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)
FDOT maintains a highway system of over 40,000 lane miles and 6,381 bridges. FDOT also supports other transportation-related facilities including 800 aviation facilities, 29 fixed-route transit systems, 14 seaports, and 2,707 railway miles.
Jacksonville Port Authority
The Jacksonville Port Authority owns three marine terminals and one passenger cruise terminal in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jacksonville Port Authority develops, manages, and markets these publicly owned facilities to promote the growth of maritime and related industries in Jacksonville.
The Jacksonville Port Authority was not able to participate in the survey.
Phoenix, Arizona
Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT)
ADOT is responsible for managing and maintaining the state’s highway and freeway system. ADOT also manages the Motor Vehicles Department and publishes a travel magazine called Arizona Highways Magazine.
ADOT was not able to participate in the survey, although it did provide some information pertaining to its evacuation transportation management operations.
Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT)
MCDOT consists of seven divisions whose responsibilities range from conducting public meetings, to transportation planning, to right-of-way acquisition and management. MCDOT, along with the Arizona Department of Transportation, is also responsible for leading the AZTech partnership of public and private agencies using ITS to improve overall transportation operations throughout Maricopa County.
Valley Metro/Regional Public Transportation Authority (RPTA)
Valley Metro/RPTA manages a number of transit-related services and is responsible for regional transit planning, transit public information, management and operation of regional bus and dial-a-ride services, the Regional Ridesharing program, a regional vanpool program, and elements of the countywide Trip Reduction program and Clean Air Campaign.
Valley Metro was not able to participate in the survey.
Portland, Oregon
City of Portland Office of Transportation
The City of Portland Office of Transportation maintains over $5 billion in infrastructure facilities from streets and structures to traffic signals and streetlights throughout the state’s largest urban area.
Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT)
ODOT is responsible for developing programs related to Oregon’s system of highways, roads, and bridges and railways, public transportation services, transportation safety programs, driver and vehicle licensing, and carrier regulation.
Oregon Emergency Management
In the State of Oregon, the Governor is responsible for maintaining an emergency services system; the purpose of the Office of Emergency Management is to execute the Governor’s responsibility. The Office of Emergency Management is responsible for coordinating and facilitating emergency planning, preparedness, response, and recovery activities with the state and local emergency services agencies and organizations.
Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet)
TriMet is a public transit system consisting of buses, light rail, and streetcars that operate in the Portland/tri-county (Multnomah County, Clackamas County, and Washington County) areas.
San Francisco, California
Alameda Contra-Costa Transit District (AC Transit)
AC Transit is a modern bus system owned by the citizens of the East Bay. AC Transit serves the cities of the East Bay from Richmond to Fremont.
San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)
BART is a public transit rail system consisting of five lines that serve a number of cities throughout the San Francisco Bay area. The State of California created a special governmental agency called the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District. BART has its own police force and is governed by an elected Board of Directors.
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
Caltrans is responsible for more than 45,000 miles of California’s highway and freeway lanes. Caltrans has six primary programs—Aeronautics, Highway Transportation, Mass Transportation, Transportation Planning, Administration, and the Equipment Service Center.
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Department of Parking and Traffic
The Department of Parking and Traffic is an agency dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for the residents of San Francisco by encouraging the efficient movement of people and goods throughout the city. The organization works to improve traffic safety, management, and awareness while supporting public transit and offering parking opportunities in San Francisco neighborhoods.
Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC)
The MTC is the transportation planning, coordinating, and financing agency for nine counties in the San Francisco Bay area. The MTC serves as the regional transportation planning agency and the region’s metropolitan planning organization.
June 26, 2006
Publication #FHWA-HOP-08-016
