Transportation policies in the City of Pasadena, California

This study examined the policies in place for transportation within the City of Pasadena. The study was to determine: (1) policy existence; (2) policy plan coordination; (3) policy effectiveness; (4) policy communication; and (5) citizen satisfaction as perceived by: (1) City Directors; (2) City Manager; (3) Members of the Transportation Advisory Commission (TAP); (4) Transportation Employees; and (5) Citizens of Pasadena.;Findings. (A) This study found that the City of Pasadena does not have specifically designed transportation policies. However, the Board of Directors does set priorities for allocations based on informal needs assessments and available resources. (B) The data indicated that: (1) although policies are not specifically defined, most citizens do not openly express dissatisfaction; and (2) the senior citizens expressed their appreciation for the city's dial-a-ride service;;Conclusions and recommendations. One of the implications of not having clearly defined policies for the City of Pasadena, the citizens are totally dependent on the recommendations of the Staff/Employees.;Limited evidence was found to support the notion that citizens participated in the transportation planning process and their input was valued by persons responsible for the implementation.;Methodology. Policy information data were collected from the archival data recorded in the Board of Directors' minutes from the period July 1, 1983 to June 30, 1988, a five-year period. Appointed and elected officials of the city were surveyed by written questionnaire. The City Manager, the Chairperson of the Transportation Advisory Commission (TAP) and the Director of Public Works were interviewed. A survey was conducted both by written questionnaire and telephone of citizens selected randomly. The data were analyzed and then presented in narrative and tabular form.;Based on the research, it is the author's recommendation that the elected officials (Board of Directors) of the City of Pasadena formulate some structure to develop transportation goals and policies that reflect all aspects of the Pasadena community.