Reflective Essay

Juliann Wallace

I am meeting the objectives of this course by following all of the instructions listed in the

course content folder that outlines the class schedule. I have spent a great deal of time

educating myself about transportation issues through in depth research so that I can provide

historical as well as up to date information for all of the different genre’s I have written this

semester on why public transportation needs to be expanded in Utah and how it will impact our

communities financially. We ultimately agreed upon the topic of transportation because it was

one I threw out there and people seemed interested in it more than the other topics. When I

chose to throw it out there as a topic choice it was because I had heard President Obamas

State of the Union Address and he was talking greatly about expanding transportation, it

seemed to be a big issue. Later it seemed that it was not as liked by the group but it was felt

that if we changed that it may be too late in the semester to be able to complete the assigned

tasks so we decided to stick with it even though it is a struggle for some of us to wrap our

minds around it and enjoy it.

When choosing how to complete the different assignments I found it helpful to be able

to communicate with my group for a better understanding of the assignment expectations as

well as referencing our book. I chose the aspect of financial effect of transportation because

that gave me a little bit more interest than some of the other aspects and I was able to get a

little more interested in the topic.

On the genre that I could choose my own, I was nervous to pick a genre that was not in

the book. However, I felt it was most appropriate for representing the angle I had taken this

term with my other papers and felt it would wrap things together nicely. A pamphlet seemed to

be more of a tying off of my project. I chose to include it in my final draft also because of this

same reason.

I spent a great deal of time researching and reading articles on this subject and have

read all of my peers comments in following all peer discussions. I actively participated in

offering suggestions and feedback as well as listening to and taking into consideration

feedback given to me.

I discussed issues with my group and provided feedback and support to my group

through the rhetorical discussions online by

1. Providing options for a topic.

2. Providing resources to the group so they could all share in my research.

3. Openly discussing the sample report readings.

a. Going into detail about which one I liked the best and why- I really liked

the report that had all the visual effects, I feel like this is what stimulated

my pick of formatting and graphics for my report.

4. Posting “extra helps” like the writing lab info and an MLA website that I was

referred to by the writing center.

5. Reviewing and carefully taking into consideration peer comments when revising

my report and position proposal papers.Some of the reviews I received were –

a. From Candice Waldron –

i. outline hard to follow (I had not yet included the page that kind of

tied things together. I really hope I solved this issue in the final

draft)

ii. Add some more graphs.

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b. From Tawni Thomas –

i. Put works cited on its own page

ii. Change inappropriate page breaks. Try to keep related information

all on same page together. (this was really hard to do because of

the depth of information provided in the report, but did my best.

6. Posting my discussion topics and responses by the posted deadlines.

7. Provided feedback to at least 2 of my peers on their rough drafts. (On one of

them I think I responded to 3 or 4 people.) My hope in providing thorough reviews

of my peers would result in the same return. I feel like both sides have offered

valuable and honest feedback.

In my assignments I implemented the suggestion to add more section headings

and visuals to my paper. I also modified my MLA citations to be easier to follow and changed

my page layout to allow the pages and page breaks to line up correctly. I tried to make it

easier to follow.

In providing peer reviews I was able to see more clearly the course objectives. I

especially learned more about citation and it’s importance in validating facts. I realized more

from doing peer reviews how important it is to have headings and visual effects in my writing

assignments. I saw how much they add to the overall feel of my work. I also realized more

how important it is to change specific parts of my writing to be more focused on the goal of the

assignment to draw out the point of that specific genre.

In picking my final 3 projects for my final portfolio I picked the Report, Review, and

pamphlet for the main reasons that they seem to be different enough in their outline and genre

to provide a good overall view of my process in this class. I hesitated with the

Position/proposal paper because the formatting is so similar to the one I used for the Report.

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However, the ultimate reason I put it in the final portfolio is because it does show how well I

was able to argue with credibility by being able to state positives for both sides of the issue. I

also like how nicely the 3 documents I chose tie together as a whole and help to reinforce one

another yet are so well written individually that they can stand alone without the others..

I feel that the report offers the most information and the other two offer different views

yet the same overall point. I especially like that the pamphlet show that I can provide a

solution and not just proffer a proposal. (even though the proposal was not included)

These assignments show that I have met the objectives of the class by their diverse

writing about the topic, my design capabilities, and my in depth research about the topic. The

amount of research and evidence of research included in these 3 pieces that I chose are in

depth and from credible sources. They show how I can cite sources appropriately for different

genres and research critically, analytically, and rhetorically.

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How familiar are you with your public transportation choices and how they affect you and

your community financially? This report will help you become more familiar with how public and

alternative transportation affect you and your community fiscally as well as economically. The

intention of this report is to give you a better understanding of mass transit systems in Utah and

compare and contrast with other mass transit systems in our country and better help you

understand some of the reasons why it is receiving so much attention as well as state and

federal funding.

UTAH TRANSPORTATIONMASS TRANSIT OPTIONS AND THE FINANCIAL EFFECT

IT COULD HAVE ON OUR COMMUNITIES

UTAH TRANSPORTATIONMASS TRANSIT OPTIONS AND THE FINANCIAL EFFECT IT COULD HAVE ON OUR COMMUNITIES

Transportation options in Utah:

In The Salt Lake area we have many choices for transportation

besides driving ourselves to where we need to be. I was able to come

up with eight alternatives to individual driving. These include not only

the common bus option but also high speed rail. They are highlighted

to the right.

How Utah Rates in our Nation:

According to US News and World Report, Utah is the second

best in the Nation for public transportation because of our

transportation investment, ridership and safety.

Adding to that status it is important to know that “though the

city’s population is just over 180,000, the system serves 1.7 million

people in the larger area. Those residents take great advantage of the

system.” (US News and World Report 2)

“Nationwide, more than $100 billion is spent annually on,

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PUBLIC TRANSPOR-TATION OPTIONS IN UTAH;Besides driving your car

to get to work or around

town, what options do

you have for public or

alternative transportation

in Utah?

UTA (Utah Transit Authority)

Bus

MAX

TRAX

FrontRunner

Other -

Car Pool

Shuttle Services

Cycling

Walking

ground transportation infrastructure, including repairing, maintaining,

and expanding it. Families spend more on transportation than any

other expense except housing. The big question is: Can we spend

transportation dollars more wisely? States like Arizona, California,

Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Utah, for example, recognize

that people and companies want more transportation -- choices

including public transportation, walking, and biking -- and that providing

more choices can save substantial money.” (NGA) This information

tells us that Utah understands there is financial benefit to the

community for good quality public transportation by saving money.

Envision Governors Association tells us that by improving our

public transportation or alternative transportation making it more

flexible and easy to use in smaller communities, it will increase the

population which can bring in new and or more income to smaller

communities strengthening their economic status. (NGA)

Still there are even more ways that local communities are

fiscally benefited by supporting public transportation growth. Here are

three ways other parts of our country have improved their local areas.

In addition to adding new and smarter growth in Utah, the National

transportation and improved their local economy–

1. Provide incentives to developers for transit-friendly

communities. Florida provides developers a financial incentive

to build infill projects and other developments that promote use

of transit. The incentive reduces local governments'

2

Deseret News.com

Picture of UTA TRAX

transportation impact fees, which support some of the costs associated with providing new

infrastructure, including roads. 

2. Encourage businesses to provide commuting benefits. Maryland helps employers provide their

employees commuter benefits by allowing participating companies a tax credit of 50 percent of

the amount spent on commuter benefits, such as transit passes, tokens, fare cards, and

company-supported van pools. 

3. Offer location-efficient mortgages. Fannie Mae has teamed up with nonprofit organizations and

communities to offer homebuyers these special mortgages. Because people in transit-rich

neighborhoods tend to own fewer automobiles and drive less, they can afford to finance

mortgages between $15,000 and $50,000 more than they would normally quality for. Fannie

Mae has committed $100 million in such mortgages over the next few years.

Utah estimated that with continued sprawling suburban development patterns, Infrastructure

costs would be $30,000 more per housing unit than those associated with a more compact, transit-

friendly, and walk-able alternative. By employing "smart growth" principles rather than continuing

current growth patterns, Utah could save an estimated $4.5 billion in infrastructure costs by 2020.”

(NGA)

What about Fare Increases?

According to a Deseret News article there is currently a fare increase being proposed to take

place over the next 3 years. Deseret News says that UTA is calling it a “modest” increase changing the

current bus and TRAX tickets go from $2 to $2.50 per round trip. Following is the rest of the article;

"Our goal is to keep our fares reasonable while still asking our riders to contribute a fair share toward

increased costs of operation," UTA General Manager Michael Allegra said in a prepared statement.

Along with the proposed fare increase, he said UTA plans to expand the Horizon discount fare program

to meet the needs of the large population of low-income individuals and families who use the service.

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If approved, the discount would increase from the current 16 percent to 25 percent off a regular

adult monthly pass. UTA is also working with communities to change eligibility requirements making the

discount more widely available and helping more people qualify.

Beginning May 1, the base fare would increase by 25 cents. Next year, another 10 cents would

be tacked on and in 2013, the full fare is proposed to be $2.50 for adult service on the local bus service

and TRAX lines.

If approved, monthly pass charges would increase 25 percent in the three years, increasing

$16.75 by 2013. Student access passes would see a 26 percent increase, increasing $13 to $62.75 a

month.

The agency is also looking to raise the baseline for its fuel surcharge program, which adds up to

a dollar to regular fares when fuel costs rise above certain parameters. The fuel surcharge has only

needed to be used three times since it was established in 2008, and is consequently removed when

fuel prices drop.

Instead of the current $3 threshold, UTA is proposing that the fuel surcharge not be

implemented unless costs rise above $4 per gallon. Raising the baseline, UTA says, will recalibrate the

program to a more appropriate level.

National Savings Average for Using Public Transportation

APTA also reported in January that in major urban areas, individuals on average save $9,656

annually by using public transportation instead of driving.

APTA (American Public Transportation Association) Is a non profit organization that promotes

public transit. Their February report notes that by riding public transportation  individuals can save, on

average, $9,682 annually, and $807 per month based on the February 10, 2011 average national gas

price ($3.12 per gallon-reported by AAA) and the national unreserved monthly parking rate.”  Although 4

these are not the specific dollars for a Utah resident they are quite astonishing. Think of what you

could do with an extra almost $10K a year!

APTA goes on to say, “Riding public transportation is a proven way for individuals to cut monthly

and yearly transportation costs, while also reducing their carbon footprint. APTA releases this monthly

“Transit Savings Report” to examine how an individual in a two-person household can save money by

taking public transportation and living with one less car.”

“The national average for a monthly unreserved parking space in a downtown business district

is $161.56, according to the 2010 Colliers International Parking Rate Study.  Over the course of a year,

parking costs for a vehicle can amount to an average of $1,939.” (APTA)

Fatalities Related to Transportation

As you can see in the graphs below there is a significantly larger amount of passenger car and

overall motor vehicle fatalities than that of all public mass transit categories combined. Remember that

these are just the fatality rates, and are also for the single year 2009. There are far more accidents that

do not cause fatalities. Also notice the difference in the two charts. The black column chart is in the

thousands for the year 2009. Shifting from automobile to transit travel tends to reduce overall crash

risk. Transit passengers have about one-tenth the crash fatality rates of automobile occupants. Shifts to

transit also reduce total vehicle traffic, thus reducing risks to other road users. In the U.S., transit has a

relatively high fatality rate per passenger-mile (for both occupants and other road users) due to low load

factors (passengers per vehicle-mile), but strategies that increase load factors have small marginal

crash risk and so reduce crash rates, (thefreelibrary.com)

5(RITA)

Largest # of Transportation Fatalities by Mode

Financial Impact of accidents to your Insurance.

Because of the high crash rates and traffic issues outlined in the paragraphs and graphs above

you can see why “many car insurance companies follow the Insurance Services Office's (ISO) standard

of increasing a premium by 20 to 40 percent of the insurer's base rate (which is the average rate

charged in the state before discounts and other adjustments, plus the insurance company's claims-

processing fee). According to the ISO, for multicar policies the surcharge is 20 percent of the base rate

for the first two vehicles on the policy, and 40 percent for a single-car policy.

For example, say you insure two cars at a premium of $300 each and the insurer's base rate is $400.

After an accident, you may get a surcharge of $80 (20 percent of $400) on both, so your total surcharge

would be $160 — an increase of about 27 percent on the policy. But many insurers operate with their

own surcharge ideas – some higher and some lower.

According to a 2008 surcharge schedule from State Farm, for example, if you had an accident

within the first 12 months of your policy period, your base rate would increase by 10 percent after the

first accident (and another 45 percent after the second). In the same scenario, a person insured with

6

(

Distribution of other Transportation Fatalities by Mode

(RITA)

Progressive who is between the ages of 25-44, would see a 29.5

percent increase on his policy after the first accident (56.2

percent for the second), according to the company's 2002

surcharge schedule. A 2005 AAA Auto Club surcharge schedule

shows an increase of 30 percent for the first accident and 150

percent for the second major accident.

While a car insurance policy may look like a bargain

initially, a high surcharge level could send your rate through the

roof after an accident.

Surcharges vary by state and insurance company, and

some penalize you for moving violations while others focus only

on "chargeable accidents" (meaning at-fault accidents for which

your insurance company must pay out more than $500 or $750

per accident after your deductible has been applied). (Insure.com, Par. 7-12)

With information like this how can we not afford more public transportation?

Conclusion

Public transportation is expensive when you look at the big numbers in billions that the country

wants to invest in it. But when you compare the National statistics and the safety issues that intertwine

it to create a full picture, the facts seem to point toward the short term expense for a long term growth

and savings. What the average American spends and the economical long term benefits it seems an

investment worth making.

Our communities are safer and benefited by expansion of smart growth when we plan it with

public transportation encompassed in the plan.

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Examples of insurance surcharges after accidents

After one accident

After two accidents

AAA Auto Club

30% 150%

Progressive

29.5% 56.2%

State Farm

10% 45%

WORKS CITED

1. Deseret News http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705365583/UTA-proposes-3-years-of-fare-increases.html

2. Thefreelibrary.com http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Creating+safe+and+healthy+communities.-a0215117713 Public Transit a little over half way down the page.

3. RITA http://www.bts.gov/publications/national_transportation_statistics/html/table_02_04.html4. Insure.com (Par. 7-12) file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Owner/My%20Documents/My

%20Pictures/MKTG%20project/How%20much%20can%20your%20car%20insurance%20rates%20go%20up%20after%20one%20accident%20.htm

5. NGA (National Governors Association, http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.9123e83a1f6786440ddcbeeb501010a0/?vgnextoid=25e6303cb0b32010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD

6. US News and world report 1 http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2011/02/08/10-best-cities-for-public-transportation

7. US News and world report 2http://www.usnews.com/news/slideshows/the-10-best-cities-for-public-transportation/10

8. APTA http://www.apta.com/mediacenter/pressreleases/2011/Pages/110210_Savings_Report.aspx

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JULIANN WALLACE9

TO INCREASE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNITY

GROWTH SUPPORT, AND ECONOMIC BENEFIT

A Proposal To:

ENG 2010Position/Proposal

Utah Department of TransportationFebruary 22, 2011

555.555.5555555.555.5555555.555.5555email@address.comwww.webaddress.com

phfxmo

Position / Proposal

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Utah in Need of Transportation Expansion for Benefit of CommunitiesUtah is in serious need for expansion of

public transportation options and

availability. It will be very evident as to

why this is necessary as you continue to

read on. For now let’s focus on the most

prominent reason for need in increase of

transportation -

Growth in UtahAccording to the Salt Lake Tourist and

Visitors Center, Utah is one of the fastest

growing states in the country and ranks

35th in the nation in population growth.

(www.SaltLakeCityUtah.org, 2011)

Additionally the Visitors Center

goes on to say “Salt Lake City makes up

a very small portion of the Salt Lake

Valley. With Salt Lake County covering

756 square miles, Salt Lake City covers

only 90.5 square miles. Salt Lake City is

the largest city in the state with a

population of 181,743. Salt Lake

County's population is 1.2 million,

making it the most populous region in

Utah.

Overall, Utah is expected to

continue to have the youngest population

in the nation.” (http://www.saltlakecityutah.org,

2011)

Naturally with this kind of growth

traffic increases significantly.

When reviewing the fatalities

reported by the FARS encyclopedia even

with all of this massive growth in the Salt

Lake Region fatalities have dropped by

29% between 1994 and 2009. (http://www-

fars.nhtsa.dot.gov, 2009)

Although some could argue that it

is a pure coincidence that these fatalities

have declined. I believe it is no

coincidence that the majority of this

decline in fatalities started after the 1999

opening of the TRAX light rail system

between Sandy and Salt Lake City. And

continued to decline after the 2001 and

2003 extensions of another 4 miles of

downtown and University transit

systems.

COMPANY

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Why some argue expanding transportation is not a priority:

With this kind of growth there is without a doubt much more need for transportation to get

people where they need to go. Roads become more crowded, people become more aggressive

behind the wheel, and accidents happen. It is no surprise that there would be an increase in

fatalities when there is an increase in traffic and aggressive and frustrated people behind the

wheel.

Some people argue that Utah already has great public transportation. It is already far

better than other states and countries. I say let’s not compete with adequate, acceptable or

subpar. We have the ability to make a great public transportation system and we should take

care of it before it becomes such a necessity that we are having problems that are unnecessary.

Do we really need to have higher fatalities in order to see the need to expand our safer forms of

transportation?

Utah has already been educated by the National Governor’s Association that if they were

to continue to incorporate “smart growth” principles like public transit and walk-able alternatives

they would save an estimated $4.5 billion in infrastructure costs by the year 2020.

(http://www.nga.org, 2000)

With savings like this Utah could sure add to other budget shortages like the education of

our children who are our future.

Additionally by building a great public transportation system now we have an advantage of

being prepared for the future expected growth of our state which is significant.

Cost of public transportation-$86 million per 1.5 miles

Cost of Human ~life saved~PRICELESS

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Cost of Expanding The competition is correct in their

perspective and concern about the

expense of creating more public

transportation. There’s no denying that

as reported by ProgressiveRailroad.com

there are significant amounts of money

needed to get these systems up and

running the numbers that strike the

biggest are the $312 million light rail line,

then the, $118 million 2.5 mile University

line, then another $86 million 1.5 mile

University extension line. (4,Cotey)

At face value one can’t help but

wonder is $86 million really worth the 1.5

miles of commuter line?

This especially raised my

eyebrow. I have to admit I even used to

be one of those who frowned upon

putting so much money into public

transportation that “I don’t use anyway.”

Until I did more research on the

financial benefits to the individual

communities that receive these

increases in public transportation.

The financial increase to

communities is phenomenal. From

shopping convenience to the money we

save every month in auto and gas

expenses.

But above and beyond all else

none of us can put a price tag on human

lives that are saved through a reduction

in the number of drivers on the road.

Why some argue expanding transportation is not a priority:

1 2

-6,000,000,000

-4,000,000,000

-2,000,000,000

0

2,000,000,000

4,000,000,000

6,000,000,000

8,000,000,000

10,000,000,000

12,000,000,000

initial expense future savings

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In summary, it seems that some may argue that there are financial downsides to expanding

public transportation options in Utah. It seems that the facts are stronger in support of expanding

public transportation options because of the strong economic benefits and the long term financial

pro’s to increasing the public’s options in transportation.

I currently agree with the growth plans for the Salt Lake Valley and surrounding areas. I

believe the increase in public transportation funding is worth the expense to move forward with the

plans in place right now. Additionally, there are many people who do not see the financial or

personal pay off for this service to our community so my proposal is to increase public awareness

about this issue.

My proposal that follows are ideas that can be implemented into the current market to bring

more social and community support to public transportation to change the view of the average Utah

citizen about its services and reduce any negative feelings our local citizens may have about this

wonderful service and what it has to offer.

Riding the bus to school, is still cool!

Even when you’re a college student!

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I strongly urge you to implement the

following strategies into your marketing

program -

1. Be more cautious about fare

increases.

2. Creatively advertise the public

transportation options.

3. Offer more education to your

potential riders.

4. Help people obtain a visual image

of how much they are saving and

helping our economy by using

your public services.

5. Build trust with your potential

customers through advertising.

6. Make your services more

appealing to the younger and

middle aged generations. (It might

not hurt to check out some of the

old campaign ads President

Obama used to get some ideas.)

Proposal:

By implementing these changes to your

marketing strategies it will help you

obtain more public support for smart

growth principles to be more widely

accepted. As a direct result you should

see an increase in your ridership and

revenues to be able to continue to

develop the transportation lines and keep

fares down. People need to see the

benefits and how they directly impact

them individually. People need to trust

that you’ll become and remain more

reliable and less expensive than their

current options.

COMPANY

15

WORKS CITED FOR PAMPHLETHill, Patrice. "Dramatic price in gas prices forecast." The Washington Times 2 January

2011: 3.http://farm3.static.flickr.com. n.d. 11 April 2011

<http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2123/2125183850_48933ef93f.jpg>.http://www.nga.org. n.d.http://www.saltlakecityutah.org. n.d.http://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov. n.d.Open Letters Monthly. August 2008. 11 April 2011

<http://openlettersmonthly.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/traffic_jam.jpg>.

Palacios, Renae. Customer Service Supervisor for UTA Juliann Wallace. 27 March 2011.protophoto.com. 05 09 2004. 11 April 2011 <http://protophoto.com/subject.html?

subject_id=226&start=60>.Utah Transit Authority. http://legacy.rideuta.com/. n.d. 09 April 2011

<http://legacy.rideuta.com/images/S70conceptStreetcar_large.jpg>.wikipedia.org. 26 April 2008. 11 April 2011 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FrontRunner>.Williams, Mantill. APTA.com. 11 February 2011. 10 March 2011

<http://www.apta.com/mediacenter/pressreleases/2011/Pages/110210_Savings_Report.aspx>.

www.Insure.com. 7 August 2009. February 2011 <http://www.insure.com/car-insurance/after-accident-rate-increase.html>.

I have been unsuccessful in being able to move the pamphlet over to this file so I have zipped it together with this so that you can see it still.

16

Works Cited

http://www.nga.org. (2000, 11 28). Retrieved March 2011, from NGA Center for Best Practices: http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.9123e83a1f6786440ddcbeeb501010a0/?vgnextoid=25e6303cb0b32010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD

http://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov. (2009). Retrieved 2011, from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: http://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/States/StatesFatalitiesFatalityRates.aspx

http://www.saltlakecityutah.org. (2011, April ). Retrieved March 2011, from Salt Lake City Demographics: http://www.saltlakecityutah.org/salt_lake_demographics.htm

www.SaltLakeCityUtah.org. (2011, April 25). Retrieved March 2011, from Salt Lake City Demographics: http://www.saltlakecityutah.org/salt_lake_demographics.htm

Cotey, A. (2008, September).