EVOLUTION OF TRANSIT INVESTMENT MEASURES IN MINNESOTA
The Office of Transit Administration (OTA) of the Minnesota Department of Transportation has been administering state funds for transit services since 1977. Since the programs started, a data base has been maintained so that OTA could monitor and evaluate system performance. Monitoring involves checking expenses, revenues, and operating statistics monthly so that systems remain in accordance with a formal management plan. Evaluation work is geared to an annual review of the system prior to grant renewal and identifying potential areas of improvement. The evaluation work, which uses a five-year time horizon study and a peer group review, has produced results appropriate to measuring system performance only against local goals. Two levels of performance measures are applied to all systems. An aggregate measure review looks for potential trouble areas, and a disaggregate measure review confirms the source of concern. A very detailed disaggregate review may follow to pinpoint troubles. In order to rationalize and justify the state expenditure of funds, OTA has developed transit investment measures. Benefit and cost measures are used to evaluate the performance of all systems. The measurement systems used by OTA are identified, and reasons why the transit investment measures evolved are discussed.
BILLING AND ACCOUNTING BY USE OF A COMPUTERIZED DATA REPORTING SYSTEM: THE IOWA EXPERIENCE
The allocation of costs and establishment of billing rates have become complex and time-consuming for transportation providers due to the variation of funding agency requirements and limitations of transit administrative processes. Many transit systems are developing management information sytems to aid them in these efforts. A computer-based, comprehensive transit information system has been developed, tested, and implemented in 23 of Iowa's 33 transit properties. This system, known as the Uniform Data Management System (UDMS), is completely consistent with the Section 15 process established by the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964. UDMS is an integrated financial and nonfinancial system that is an accounting and management process first and a reporting system second. It is flexible enough to accommodate social service and local conditions. Due to the extent and variety of information available from UDMS, a wide range of cost-allocation and billing-rate variables are available. The selection and use of this information constitute a valuable, locally determined tool. UDMS information can play a vitally important role in the negotiation of service contracts. Transit managers need reliable service and financial data before, during, and after entering into contractual arrangements. Good information is the key to sound decision making and, ultimately, a better transportation system.
Mineral element analyses of various tropical forages in Guatemala and their relationship to soil concentrations
Determination de la composition minerale de differents fourrages dans 3 regions d'elevage du Guatemala et etude des relations entre la chimie des sols et la composition minerale des fourrages