Examining Data Needs and Implementation Process of AV-based Microtransit Service: A Case Study in Lake Nona

The success of this federal funded BUILD (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development) grant project (hereafter BUILD grant) will have important impacts on future autonomous vehicle (AV)-based microtransit development in the state of Florida. Therefore, it is important to document the full planning and decision-making process and collect baseline information in the Orange County area prior to implementation. This proposed research project includes: to collect and analyze baseline information for future BUILD grant evaluation; and to monitor, document and evaluate lessons learned in the implementation process of AV-based microtransit services. Though many studies have been conducted to assess the impact of AVs or AV-based microtransit, few research efforts have examined preliminary implementation challenges as well as the real-life benefits or drawbacks of an AV-based microtransit system. This proposed research project will address some fundamental questions such as: (1) What is the full scope of work necessary to successfully implement an AV-based microtransit system? Analysis will include organizational, infrastructure, safety, technology, and financing challenges and concerns. (2) What are the impacts on mobility improvement and community livability based on a set of performance measures including but not limited to transit ridership impacts (e.g., mode shift, ridership changes, and service satisfaction), residents perceptions of safety and neighborhood livability, and impacts on transit agencies’ operation (e.g., operation management, maintenance, and budget implications)?

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $250006
• Contract Numbers:

  BDV31 977-144

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Florida Department of Transportation

  605 Suwannee Street
  Tallahassee, FL  United States  32399-0450
• Managing Organizations:

  Florida Department of Transportation

  Research Center
  605 Suwannee Street MS-30
  Tallahassee, FL  United States  32399-0450
• Project Managers:

  Schoelzel, Paul

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Florida

  207 Grinter Hall
  PO Box 115500
  Gainesville, Florida  United States  32611
• Principal Investigators:

  Peng, Zhong-Ren

• Start Date: 20210614
• Expected Completion Date: 20230115
• Actual Completion Date: 20230427

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Autonomous vehicles; Case studies; Impacts; Implementation; Lessons learned; Micromobility; Modal shift; Public transit; Ridership
• Geographic Terms: Orange County (Florida)
• Subject Areas: Passenger Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01774532
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Florida Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: BDV31 977-144
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jun 21 2021 12:57PM