Mobility-on-Demand Transit for Smart, Sustainable Cities (Project D4)

This project aims to study how Mobility-on-Demand (MOD) transit systems can contribute to building smart, sustainable, and equitable cities in the U.S. Under this scope, we propose two research thrusts. The first thrust is a collaborative effort between STRIDE researchers and industry partner Ford. This thrust aims to: 1) understand the spatio-temporal patterns of micromobility usage (focusing on e-scooters and e-bikes) in Washington, DC and Gainesville, FL and the factors that drive the demand for micromobility use; 2) investigate how micromobility services can be integrated into the existing transit system to improve mobility and to reduce traffic congestion; 3) analyze the operational energy impacts of the integrated transit system. Specifically, we will leverage big data analytics to analyze micromobility trip characteristics (travel time, trip distance, cost, etc.) and apply the state-of-the-art methods in machine learning to predict micromobility use across different neighborhoods in Washington, DC and Gainesville, FL. We will conduct a four-city (Gainesville, FL, Miami, FL, Birmingham, AL, and Auburn, AL) stated preference survey to investigate traveler preferences for micromobility options, to learn under what conditions the modal shift from cars/mopeds to micromobility options will take place, and to explore how micromobility services can serve as first-mile/last-mile feeders to public transit. Based on the survey results, we can then assess the transferability of the research findings by conducting a comparison study among four Southeastern cities. The findings are expected to produce policy recommendations for transit agencies and cities to plan and operate MOD public transit systems that are enhanced by micromobility services. The aim of the second thrust is to assess the service characteristics of ridehailing and traditional demand-response transit for hospital trips in rural and urban settings in the Southeastern U.S. This research will build on previous STRIDE-funded research that assessed how changes in technology and policy are encouraging health providers and insurers to provide transportation to medical services through ridehailing services. The analysis will compare service characteristics for operators and passengers, e.g. travel time, wait time, and cost, based on different scheduling scenarios. The results can inform the services currently being proposed and developed by many transit and health agencies to provide ‘Uber-like’ services through public sector agencies. Variation in service characteristics across urban and rural operating environments will be a particular focus on the analysis. In particular, the data science methods and tools developed in Thrust 1 for modeling micromobility usage will be adapted and used in Thrust 2 for modeling ridehailing usage. In addition, for both thrusts of research proposed above, a focus would be on how new mobility options, including micromobility and ridehailing, can help MOD transit riders get to essential destinations in the COVID-19 and post-COVID era. As virus-wary travelers stay away from crowds and public transit, these more personalized new mobility options may become more attractive for people to use. This project will generate insights, from a traveler preference and behavior perspective, into the impacts of COVID-19 on MOD transit systems.

• Record URL:
  https://stride.ce.ufl.edu/stride-project-d4/

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $413430
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3551747104

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Southeastern Transportation Research, Innovation, Development and Education Center (STRIDE)

  University of Florida
  365 Weil Hall
  Gainesville, FL  United States  32611

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  U.S. Department of Transportation Research and Innovative Technology Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
  Washington, DC,     20590
• Project Managers:

  Tucker-Thomas, Dawn

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Florida Transportation Institute

  P.O. Box 116580
  Gainesville, FL  United States  32611
• Principal Investigators:

  Zhao, Xilei

• Start Date: 20200901
• Expected Completion Date: 20221031
• Actual Completion Date: 20220728
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cities; Demand responsive transportation; Machine learning; Predictive models; Scooters; Shared mobility; Stated preferences; Sustainable development; Transit authorities
• Identifier Terms: Smart Cities Challenge
• Geographic Terms: Gainesville (Florida); Washington (District of Columbia)
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Operations and Traffic Management; Passenger Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01768219
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Southeastern Transportation Research, Innovation, Development and Education Center (STRIDE)
• Contract Numbers: 69A3551747104
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Mar 25 2021 8:51PM