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The methodology for this study was based in part, on suggestions from the Association for Commuter Transportation's 2003 TMA Handbook

Problem Definition

Quantitative Research: What are the current data regarding Providence's development and transportation conditions? Statistics regarding the city's development patterns and transportation trends were reviewed to provide a preliminary assessment of the transportation problems. The data were collected from the 2000 U.S. Census, the Texas Transportation Institute 2003 Urban Mobility Study, Surface Transportation Policy Project, and other sources.

Qualitative Research: How is transportation viewed by the private sector? Interviews were conducted with major nonprofit employers in Providence. These employers were asked about the transportation problems they face and the impacts to their businesses.

Problem Assessment: What are the common problems and concerns? What impacts does the problem have on the stakeholders? What are the issues that can be addressed collectively? The information gathered was analyzed and pieced together so that the problem could be assessed and solutions could be formulated.

Problem Solving

TMA Research: What are TMAs, and what can they do? The 2003 TMA Handbook was used as a guide for this thesis, providing important background information on TMAs. In addition, various TMA professionals and experts were consulted for this thesis. Those consulted included researchers from the Association for Commuter Transportation, current TMA directors, and TMA staff.

Stakeholder Process: What are the stakeholders' goals? How can stakeholders find solutions to their problems? Throughout this thesis, I met with and emailed individual stakeholders on several occasions to explore potential solutions. By the summer of 2003, the first stakeholder meeting was held to determine how the transportation problems could be addressed collectively, perhaps in a TMA. More meetings are planned to discuss possible formation of the TMA.

TMA Exploration for Providence: Based upon this study, is there potential for a TMA in Providence? The 2003 TMA Handbook suggests that there are several indications that a TMA is feasible:

• A Well Defined Problem
• Solutions and sufficient resources to carry them out
• Private and public sector support
• Sufficient target market(s)

These guidelines were applied to determine whether a TMA would be feasible in Providence. Challenges and issues to TMA formation were also identified and discussed. Finally, recommendations for the stakeholders and a model action plan for forming a TMA were drafted.

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