at Runcutter.com

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

Since 1990, the largest component of business has consisted of service planning, scheduling and run cutting. In 2003, a training program, THE RUNCUTTER COURSE(tm) was developed, addressing service planning, scheduling, and vehicle/driver utilization.  Over 200 transit professionals have attended the course since its inception. 

Properties for which we've cut runs have ranged from a 250+ vehicle fixed route operation utilizing four garages 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, throughout the country.

In the last several years, we've conducted Planning and Scheduling Department reviews for Tampa, Florida and Austin, Texas; and service redesign projects for cities as varied as El Paso, Texas and Hammond, Indiana; - in addition to preparing several runcuts each year.. 

In Mid 2000, we redesigned service 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.  The new system has 11 routes, requiring 13 vehicles.

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 times, realigning routes, and interlining vehicles, we achieved essentially the same level of service with fewer vehicles.

In early 1999, we were selected as the project manager for a major service expansion in the Washington, DC area.  Phase 1 of the plan, under study for ten years, called for a combination of Express Buses and Feeder Service, replacing service which 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 us 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 worked with Racine, Wisconsin on major service revisions. These include implementation of a timed transfer (pulse) system, night service, and route modifications to serve large demand generators. The modifications also focus on the work trip, as part of the welfare-to-work initiative. Funding for service expansion came from rationalizing unproductive/low productivity service.

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

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 projected to exceed $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 operations plan led to the successful implementation of DART's first off-street transfer centers in Downtown Dallas.

Arthur N. Gaudet & Associates, Inc. is the scheduler/run cutter for several private sector contracts operating from 44 to 130 vehicles.  Our 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 today's nationwide driver shortage problem, we have modified our run-cutting techniques, using a balanced allocation of reasonable overtime to help offset the staff shortage.  We do this without compromising workplace safety.

In a recent case on one large property, the contracting body experimented with a run cut, using their computer model. Our run cut process achieved lower overtime, greater consistency in pay hours, greater consistency in route assignments, and greater consistency in report/off times. Service reliability was enhanced, while the safety risks from driver fatigue were eliminated.

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 resulted in 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.

A recent 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.

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.

More recently, he has been selected as a National Transit Institute Fellow, serving as an adjunct professor of Rutgers University.  In this capacity, he will present half-day workshops on Human Factors, Fatigue, and Operator Work Schedules, sponsored by the National Transit Institute.  

Memberships and Affiliations:

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

American Public Transportation Association

Los Angeles, California (LAMTA, LA DASH,   Community DASH, and Foothill Transit); Dallas, Houston, Laredo, and Tyler, Texas: District of Columbia Department of Public Works; Alexandria, Fairfax County, and Lynchburg, Virginia; Birmingham, Alabama; Duluth, Minnesota; Charlotte, Durham and Greensboro, North Carolina; Great Falls, Montana; Greenville, South Carolina; Indianapolis and South Bend, Indiana; Jackson, Mississippi; Kankakee, Illinois; Nashua, New Hampshire; Cape Cod and Worcester, Massachusetts; Mobile, Alabama; Montgomery County, Maryland; Phoenix, Arizona; Racine, Wisconsin; San Diego, California, Albany and Savannah, Georgia; St. Joseph, Missouri; Wichita, Kansas:

First Transit, Client

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

Aspen, Colorado

Street Railway Associates, Client

Budgeting

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

BR CATS, Client

Scheduling Assistance

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Chapel Hill Transit, Client

Scheduling and Runcutting Assistance

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Stone & Webster / CARTA, Clients

Downtown Circulator Design, rail & rubber tire alternatives analysis,

capital and operating budgeting

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

National Interstate Insurance, Client

Safety and Risk Management Consulting

Dallas, Texas

McKinney Avenue Transit Authority, Client

Financial Planning and Grants Administration

Dallas, Texas

LKC Consulting Services / DART, Client

Transfer Center Operating Procedures Manual preparation

Fort Smith, Arkansas

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

Hammond, Indiana

Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission, Client

System Analysis and redesign.

Indianpolis, Indiana

The Goodman Corporation/ Indianapolis Public Transit Corporation, Client

Staffing Analysis, Sheduling and Runcutting review and assistance.

Ithaca, New York

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

Las Cruces, New Mexico

City of Las Cruces, Client - Development of Short-Range Transit Plan, Comprehensive Operational Analysis

Lorain County, Ohio

Loraine County Transit, Client

Service Planning, Route Design, Scheduling/Runcutting

Victoria, British Columbia

BC Transit, Sypher:Mueller International Inc.

Heritage Streetcar Ridership Projection

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