Incorporating Mobility on Demand Into Public Transit in Suburban Areas: A Comparative Evaluation of Cost-Effectiveness

The main objective of this study is to understand the relative cost-effectiveness of using different types of mobility on-demand (MOD) services to supplement transit by filling first/last mile gaps compared to conventional alternatives, especially expanding fixed-route services and supporting driving alone with park-and-ride facilities. To do so, this study further develops a cost-effectiveness evaluation approach from a societal perspective and then applies it to selected geographic contexts. In addition, this study aims to inform transit agencies’ decision-making on establishing partnerships with MOD providers to serve first/last mile trips. Moreover, the research will investigate the conditions under which the socially more cost-effective alternatives are consistent with the individual preferences of users from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. To achieve these objectives, this research will address the following questions: (1) From a societal perspective, what factors determine the comparative cost-effectiveness of alternative modes for first/last mile travel? Does lower travel demand density, for example, increase the likelihood for MOD to be more cost-effective? How do socioeconomic factors associated with the riders affect the possibility for fixed-route buses to be a more cost-effective alternative? (2) Under what conditions and arrangements are transit agencies-private service providers partnerships most cost-effective? (3) From the user’s perspective, what factors differentiate the comparative cost-effectiveness among alternative modes for first/last mile trips? What are the equity implications of each alternative mode?

• Record URL:
  https://tomnet-utc.engineering.asu.edu/projects/uw-on-demand-mobility-services/

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $191786
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3551747116

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

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

  Center for Teaching Old Models New Tricks (TOMNET)

  Arizona State University
  Tempe, AZ  United States  85287
• Project Managers:

  Pendyala, Ram

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Washington, Seattle

  1107 NE 45th Street, Suite 535
  Seattle, WA  United States  98105
• Principal Investigators:

  Shen, Qing

• Start Date: 20220801
• Expected Completion Date: 20230731
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Analysis; Cost effectiveness; Demand responsive transportation; Equity; Fixed routes; Mobility; Socioeconomic factors; Travel costs
• Subject Areas: Passenger Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01868142
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Center for Teaching Old Models New Tricks (TOMNET)
• Contract Numbers: 69A3551747116
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Dec 21 2022 11:24AM