Collaboration - The key to success in transportation

Delivering transportation services and programs that meet the needs of the public often requires the cooperation of numerous organizations and groups. This paper presents the results of a transit cooperative research project that examined collaborative efforts in the transportation sector. Concepts of collaboration as practiced in several transportation contexts are examined. The paper defines collaboration, describes characteristics that are necessary for success, and illustrates the evolution of collaborative efforts from initial efforts at simple coordination to more complex organizational relationships. Questions are provided for those interested in assessing the health of a collaboration at any particular phase of development.