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Transportation Coordination: Benefits and Barriers Exist, and Planning Efforts Progress Slowly

RCED-00-1 Published: Oct 22, 1999. Publicly Released: Oct 22, 1999.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO provided information on federal agencies that provide nonemergency human services transportation, focusing on: (1) the benefits and incentives to human services transportation coordination; (2) the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) and the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) efforts to identify barriers to transportation coordination; and (3) HHS' and FTA's efforts to enhance transportation coordination through state and local transportation planning.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Health and Human Services In order to improve transportation coordination through better planning and enhanced accountability, the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Transportation should: (1) require the Coordinating Council to issue a prioritized strategic plan by a specific date; (2) charge the Coordinating Council with developing an action plan with specific responsibilities; and (3) require an annual report from the Council on its major initiatives and accomplishments.
Closed – Implemented
In August 2000, the Coordinating Council adopted a prioritized strategic plan for fiscal years 2000 through 2004. The Council's strategic plan essentially provides an action plan as it delineates specific tasks to be accomplished on a yearly basis, including the development of an annual report. While the strategic plan provided for a targeted date of October 2000 for a Council annual report, this target date was not met, and it is uncertain when an annual report will be issued.
Department of Transportation In order to improve transportation coordination through better planning and enhanced accountability, the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Transportation should: (1) require the Coordinating Council to issue a prioritized strategic plan by a specific date; (2) charge the Coordinating Council with developing an action plan with specific responsibilities; and (3) require an annual report from the Council on its major initiatives and accomplishments.
Closed – Implemented
In August 2000, the Coordinating Council adopted a prioritized strategic plan for fiscal years 2000 through 2004. The Council's strategic plan essentially provides an action plan as it delineates specific tasks to be accomplished on a yearly basis, including the development of an annual report. While the strategic plan provided for a targeted date of October 2000 for a Council annual report, this target date was not met, and it is uncertain when an annual report will be issued.
Department of Health and Human Services As part of these planning efforts, the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Transportation should: (1) make sure that transportation coordination planning efforts under development reinforce one another; (2) direct the Regional Working Groups to assess barriers to transportation coordination; and (3) make information on coordination barriers and strategies for overcoming the barriers readily available through the Council's Internet site.
Closed – Implemented
The Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility adopted planning guidelines for coordinating transportation services in December 2000. These guidelines provide information to facilitate the coordination of transportation services for 12 HHS and 10 DOT programs. In addition, in August 2000, the Coordinating Council adopted a strategic plan that provides for regional coordination action plans, including the identification and assessment of barriers to transportation coordination. However, an internet site developed for the Coordinating Council was discontinued due to lack of funding for this activity.
Department of Transportation As part of these planning efforts, the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Transportation should: (1) make sure that transportation coordination planning efforts under development reinforce one another; (2) direct the Regional Working Groups to assess barriers to transportation coordination; and (3) make information on coordination barriers and strategies for overcoming the barriers readily available through the Council's Internet site.
Closed – Implemented
The Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility adopted planning guidelines for coordinating transportation services in December 2000. These guidelines provide information to facilitate the coordination of transportation services for 12 HHS and 10 DOT programs. In addition, in August 2000, the Coordinating Council adopted a strategic plan that provides for regional coordination action plans, including the identification and assessment of barriers to transportation coordination. However, an internet site developed for the Coordinating Council was discontinued due to lack of funding for this activity.

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Topics

Cost controlFederal aid for transportationInteragency relationsIntergovernmental relationsMass transitMedicaidPublic assistance programsRedundancyStrategic planningTransportationTransportation planning