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ARTHUR N. GAUDET CMILT

                                                              PRESIDENT

                                  ARTHUR N. GAUDET & ASSOCIATES, Inc.

at Runcutter.com

                                      EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

 

Arthur N. Gaudet has been involved with transit management and planning for over forty  years.  His experience in transit led to the founding of Arthur N. Gaudet & Associates in 1987, providing transit management services, operations reviews and departmental management audits, route design, scheduling and run cutting, safety services, rail and rubber tire alternatives analyses, and financial planning.

 

He recently served on the oversight committee for Transportation Research Board Project A-29, “Controlling System Costs: Basic and Advanced Scheduling Manuals and Contemporary Issues in Transit Scheduling.”  He is also the author of a series of articles, published in Bus Ride Magazine.  Mr. Gaudet’s series of articles dealt with route and system design, scheduling, run cutting, and restoring transit service in response to service disruptions.

 

In 2003, he developed “The Runcutter Coursetm, a two-day intensive course in service design, scheduling, and runcutting (preparing operator work schedules).  This course has been presented over 25 times, to over 400 attendees in the last seven years.

 

For over 20 years, the largest component of business has consisted of service planning, scheduling and run cutting.  Properties have ranged from a 250+ vehicle, four garage fixed route operation in Dallas, 100+ vehicle Los Angeles MTA and Foothill Transit fixed route private sector contractors, and a 100+ vehicle paratransit operation in Dallas; through 40 - 130 bus operations in Phoenix, Suburban D.C. and Houston, Texas; to operations with less than 20 vehicles.

 

We prepare numerous runcuts each year, for properties throughout the country, including several large private-sector contracts in the Los Angeles, California region.

 

Some of our other projects in the last decade have included:

 

Route restructuring in Albany, GA.

 

Scheduling Department Review/Route Productivity Analysis for MARTA, in Atlanta, GA.

 

Feasibility Study and System Design/Scheduling for a visitor’s shuttle, Grapevine, TX.

 

Participation in a full review of the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority’s schedules and runcut, leading to efficiency recommendations that would generate over $5 million in annual savings.

 

Participation in a review of Sun Metro, in El Paso, Texas.  This review studied Operations and Scheduling functions, as part of Sun Metro’s Long Range Plan development.

 

Scheduling/Planning Department functional reviews for Capital Metro, in Austin, Texas; and Hartline, in Tampa Florida.  These reviews focused on the planning and scheduling function, as it interfaces with operations.

Comprehensive Operational Analyses, Short Range Transportation Plans for Hammond, Indiana and Las Cruces, New Mexico.  Service redesign for Lorain County, Ohio, changing the system from variable frequencies (up to 90 minutes requiring multiple transfer connections), to systemwide 60 minute frequencies with a single, timed-transfer pulse point. 

 

In 1999, we helped Kankakee, Illinois rationalize its route structure, again implementing a pulse transfer system, and reducing overall passenger travel times. By eliminating large loops with their associated out-of-direction travel, realigning routes, and interlining vehicles, we achieved essentially the same service level with fewer vehicles.

 

In early 1999, we were selected as the project manager for a major service expansion in the Washington, D.C. area.  As part of that project, our review of vehicle utilization and blocking generated savings by reducing the number of vehicles needed, without affecting the public schedule.  Phase 1 of the plan, under study for ten years, called for a combination of Express Buses and Feeder Service, replacing service that had not changed in twenty years.  Our work resulted in a smooth transition as all routes and schedules changed at once, and as a new Park and Ride facility opened.  During the start-up, we also actively participated in shake-down of the new Park and Ride facility.

 

Also during 1999, we assisted Fort Smith, Arkansas as the property transitioned from a Demand-Response operation to a combination of Fixed Route and Demand-Response. 

 

            Another 1999 project in Ithaca, New York had Arthur N. Gaudet & Associates participating in Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit’s service redesign.  An essential ingredient of this project included over 60 hours on the street, evaluating and modifying detailed route design, safety issues, and running times.  We continue our relationship with Ithaca, working with staff and labor representatives at least twice each year to cut their runs.

 

We also worked with Racine, Wisconsin on major service revisions.  These included implementation of a timed transfer (pulse) system, night service, and route modifications to serve large demand generators.  The modifications also focused on the work trip, as part of the welfare-to-work initiative.  Funding for service expansion came from rationalizing unproductive/low productivity service.   Subsequently, we conducted a transfer point relocation study, and prepared a route and schedule redesign for the move to the new Transit Center.  

 

Another project was the analysis of 47 bus routes operated out of four garages in the District of Columbia, designing route networks that could  be operated by private contractors..

 

In 1997, we completed a run cut for a new contractor on the West Coast.  By reblocking and interlining service for this 105 peak bus operation, we generated savings exceeding $95,000 per year.

 

In 1996, we participated with another consultant in preparing the Operations Manuals for Dallas Area Rapid Transit's new East and West Transit Centers.  This plan led to the successful implementation of DART's first off-street transfer centers in Downtown Dallas.

 

 

Arthur N. Gaudet & Associates, Inc. is or has been the scheduler/run cutter for several private sector contracts operating from 25 to 127 vehicles, each requiring two to four run cuts per year.   Gaudet's scheduling practices for these clients typically result in average pay per driver assignment exceeding 39.5 hours, with scheduled overtime under one percent.  For some properties experiencing driver shortages, we have modified our run cutting techniques, using a balanced allocation of reasonable overtime to help offset the staff shortage. 

 

While private sector labor agreements typically do not contain restrictive and costly work rules, we have also worked in such environments.  In Wichita, Kansas, for example, a change in run cutting procedures reduced spread time, reduced overtime, and reduced guarantee payments.  Simultaneously, work weeks were reduced from six days to four or five days.  The end result was not only a projected savings of more than $20,000 per year, but the first run cut posted in recent memory which drew no protests from drivers or the Union. 

 

Recent work with several California Properties concentrated on implementing lunch breaks and work-break periods, required under California’s Wage Order Number 9.  

 

We evaluate all facets of operations as they are impacted by scheduling decisions.  An audit of a medium-sized property's operations department discovered an opportunity to save in excess of $25,000 per year, in real dollars and increased productivity, by altering CNG bus assignment strategies.  In Springfield, Illinois, creative vehicle blocking reduced the stress on the Maintenance Department, by reducing the number of bus pullouts needed.

 

Our ability to generate such savings comes from intimate familiarity with street operations.  During his varied assignments, Mr. Gaudet has been responsible for maintaining transit service, and training Dispatchers and Field Supervisors to respond to disruptions in a number of cities.  These situations have varied from minor schedule delays, street blockages, mechanical failure, pedestrian and vehicle accidents to a reported bomb on a bus in downtown Los Angeles and restoration of service/operation of emergency service in the immediate aftermath of the Northridge Earthquake.  In addition to his bus experience, he has experience in maintaining rail service, including response to line blockages and the integration of charter/special moves with scheduled passenger service.

 

Through years of experience with street operations, he has set the highest priority on maintaining passenger service while resolving service disruptions, always keeping the passenger in mind.   In addition to his experience with street operations and one-on-one training of Dispatchers and Field Supervisors, Mr. Gaudet has authored documents as varied as operations and administrative Policies and Procedures bulletins; Emergency Contingency (e.g., Strike) Plans; Bus and other Procurement Specifications; Safety and Security Reviews and Recommendations, and general Bus and Rail Operations planning documents.

 

Fellow:            National Transit Institute – 1999-2001 Term

 

Member:        Chartered Member (CMILT) Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

            Community Transportation Association of America

 

 

Arthur N. Gaudet & Associates' Projects have included:

 

Los Angeles, California (LAMTA, LA DASH, and Foothill Transit); Dallas, Houston, Laredo, and Tyler, Texas; Great Falls, Montana; Racine, Wisconsin; Numerous other properties:

First Transit, Client

Route Design, Scheduling, Run Cutting, Operations Assistance, Alternatives Analysis, Financial Reviews, Section 15 (NTD) Assistance, Interim Management Services

 

Los Angeles, California (LAMTA); Yolo County California; Sonoma, California; Jefferson Parish, Louisiana:

Veolia, Client

Scheduling, Runcutting, Wage Order 9 (Lunchbreak Law) implementation

 

Los Angeles, California (Foothill Transit); Houston, Texas; Burlington County New Jersey; Charles County, Maryland: Numerous other properties:

MV Transportation, Client

Scheduling, Runcutting, Cost Projections

 

Los Angeles and Riverside County, California

Transportation Concepts, Client

Runcutting, Garage Location Analysis.

 

Aspen, Colorado

Street Railway Associates, Client – Budgeting

RFTA, Client – Scheduling Assistance

Austin, Texas

Capital Metro, Client – Planning and Scheduling Management Review

 

Brockton, Massachusetts BAT, Client – Scheduling & Operations Review 

 

Bridgeport, Connecticut  GBTA, Client – Runcut Review

 

Brownsville, El Paso, Galveston, Houston, San Antonio, Waco, Texas

National Interstate Insurance, Client - Safety and Risk Management Consulting

 

Buffalo, New York NFTA, Client – Scheduling & Operations Review 

 

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Chapel Hill Transit, Client  Scheduling and Runcutting Assistance, Runcut Training

 

Chattanooga, Tennessee

CARTA - Stone & Webster, Client

Downtown Circulator Design, rail & rubber tire alternatives analysis, budgeting

 

Dallas, Texas

McKinney Avenue Transit Authority, Client

Financial Planning and Grants Administration

 

Dallas, Texas

DART - LKC Consulting Services, Client

Transfer Center Operating Procedures Manual preparation

 

El Paso, Texas

The Goodman Corporation/Sun Metro, Client

Operations and Scheduling Departmental Reviews, Long Term Operations Planning

 

Fort Smith, Arkansas

City of Fort Smith, Client - Service Design and Fixed Route Implementation

Frisco, Colorado

Summit Stage, Client – Service Design Assistance and Training

Grapevine, Texas

Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau, Client – New Service Feasibility Study

Hammond, Indiana

Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission, Client

Hammond Transit System Analysis and development of new Service Design.

 

Indianapolis, Indiana

The Goodman Corporation/Indianapolis Public Transit Corporation, Client

Staffing Analysis, Scheduling and Runcutting review and assistance.

 

Ithaca, New York

Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit, Client - Scheduling, Route Design, Runcutting

 

Kennedy Space Center, Florida

Delaware North Company, Client - Analysis of tour shuttle operation

 

Las Cruces, New Mexico – City of Las Cruces, Client

Comprehensive Operational Analysis and Development of Short-Range Transit Plan

 

Lorain County, Ohio - Lorain County Transit- Service Planning, Route Design, and Scheduling

 

New Orleans, LA

PTM Management, Client

Scheduling Practices Review, Schedule Development

 

Sarasota, Florida SCAT, Client – Scheduling & Operations Review 

 

Stockton, California RTD, Client – Scheduling, Route Analysis, Runcut Assistance 

 

Tampa, Florida – Hartline, Client – Planning and Scheduling Management Review

 

Victoria, British Columbia

BC Transit - Sypher:Mueller International Inc., Client

Heritage Streetcar Ridership Projection

 

 

Our newest effort - "THE RUNCUTTER COURSE tm

In response to requests, we've developed a two-day course in route design, service development, service monitoring, scheduling, and runcutting.   This course is available to come to your property.  You may wish to become a host property, reducing individual property expense by inviting attendees from surrounding properties.

We'll be the presenting two-day Runcutter Course in Atlanta, Georgia right after the APTA EXPO.  The course will be held on Thursday, October 12 and Friday, October 13, 2017 - right after the APTA Conference and EXPO. 

This gives you an opportunity to stretch your travel dollars - come to the conference, stay a couple of extra days, and take the course.  The general schedule will be Thursday from 8:30 AM until about 5:00 PM, Friday 8:30 AM to about 3:00 PM.

 

 

 

The course fee is $850.00 (US).  Transit properties or companies registering four or more people will have a volume discount, to $700.00 per person.  There is an early registration discount for people registering before June 30, 2017 

The Course is also available for presentation at your location, for your property/company, or for a group of properties in your region.  Please contact me directly for more information.  

 

Future Open Enrollment sessions are not planned  yet,  but 2018 opportunities may include sessions after the 2018 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference, or before/after a CTAA Conference

 

Please contact Arthur Gaudet by email, runcutter@runcutter.com, or by phone at 972-466-4611 to register, or to request more information.

 

While we normally present the course at your location, this will provide an opportunity for folks attending the APTA conference to take the course, if there haven't been chances in your area.  Contact me at 972-466-4611, or email at runcutter@runcutter.com to register.   Please note, this course is in no way connected to the APTA conference or APTA itself.  The presentation timing is to provide you an opportunity to save travel dollars.      

 

The Runcutter Course is a two day, on-site course presenting:

Bus Route Design;

Scheduling;

Service Monitoring and Evaluation

Vehicle Optimization; and

Runcutting - Preparing Operator Work Schedules.

 

    The Course leads attendees through the service development, analysis, and modification process - leading through efficient vehicle utilization to development of the runcut.  In the scheduling process, no function exists independently.  A course in runcutting alone, without considering service design, is acourse in "making the best of a bad situation."   This course, then, addresses the entire scheduling process. 

    Participants leave with an understanding of the entire process.  Through hands-on exercises, they will have performed vehicle blocking, created work runs, and rostered the runs - essentially conducting a manual runcut.  We firmly believe that, to achieve the best results - with or without scheduling software, the scheduler must understand how to do the entire process manually.  

    Attendees receive a course manual, as well as pertinent Excel sample files.

The Course Manual - Table of Contents includes:

        Service Design Concepts

        Fixed Route Scheduling

        Service Monitoring and Analysis

        General Personnel Issues (Including how to calculate Extra Board requirements)

        Run Cutting Concepts

        Cutting Blocks, Creating Work Runs

        Rostering

        Glossary of Transit Terms

 

 

 

For More Information Contact

Arthur N. Gaudet   
3053 Ravine Trail                                                                                                                                                                  Carrollton, TX  75007-3438
Telephone 972-466-4611
FAX 972-466-4472
Internet: Runcutter@runcutter.com

 

Access the Arthur N. Gaudet & Associates, Inc.  Home Page at Runcutter.Com

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