APPROVE release of Request for Proposals for a ridesharing and trip planning software platform.  

The Transportation Agency is seeking to launch a comprehensive mobile traveler information and ridesharing/trip planning program in spring 2018 with a soft launch in fall 2017.  The proposed software will provide for online trip matching, trip planning and incentive management for commuters, students and visitors. 

Staff anticipates that the expenses will not exceed $60,000 for the duration of the two year contract, and will be paid for with Service Authority for Freeways and Expressways funding in the adopted 2017/18 budget.  

In Fall 2017, the Transportation Agency expects to soft launch a traveler information and ridesharing program aimed at reducing traffic congestion in Monterey County. The program will focus specifically on reducing the number of single occupant trips taken for commuting to work, school or to major special events during peak travel times. Travel demand management is especially important in areas of Monterey County where opportunities for roadway widening are limited or infeasible.

Agency staff is developing a program consistent with the 511 Traveler Information Implementation Plan approved by the Board in 2013 and using the latest tools and best practices in travel demand management.  The program will include the following features:

• Traveler information website (511monterey.org) – dynamic road conditions map, travel resources, link to Mobility Management platform, roadway construction info, Safe Routes to School resources
• Travel Demand Management Software & App – multimodal trip matching, trip planning, trip logging, vanpool management, incentives management, emergency ride home management, event parking, bike parking, electric vehicle charging locations, surveys, data reports
• Emergency Ride Home Program
• Incentives & rewards
• Commuter Challenge and Bike Month campaigns
• Community outreach – employers, schools, government, universities and visitor-serving industry
• Travel Demand Management policy support

A comprehensive and user-friendly ridesharing/trip planning online and mobile website will serve as the foundation and support all elements of the program.

The ideal software platform will provide the following services (for more details view web attachment):

• Multimodal trip matching (carpools, vanpools, transit, bike and walk)
• Provide communications between administrators and users and protect user confidentiality
• Generate data reports on user mode choice, emissions reduced, calories burned, money saved and origin and destination hot spots
• Enable TAMC administrators to create networks within the platform (ex// for major employers or schools) and assign network administrators certain privileges to manage their network
• Automatically award points for traffic-reducing trips and provide streamlined management and distribution of incentives to users
• Allow users to submit Emergency Ride Home request forms and track reimbursement
• Provide orientation training to TAMC staff and network administrators for the duration of the contract
• Provide troubleshooting and technical support for the duration of the contract

To increase the number of individuals using the platform, TAMC will provide access to the platform for free and will assist employers, schools and visitor-serving stakeholders in setting up networks within the platform. TAMC staff will provide support to network administrators and to general members of the public using the platform.

TAMC is seeking to contract with the chosen firm providing the software platform for a period of two years as a pilot, with the option of renewing the contract two (2) additional one (1) year extensions consisting of the same tasks and budget.