Synthesis of Information Related to Transit Practices. Topic SB-41. Microtransit Solutions in Rural Communities: On-Demand Alternatives to Dial-A-Ride Services and Unproductive Coverage Routes

With the advent of on-demand technology, on-demand transit services has provided a cost-effective immediate-fulfillment, shared-ride transportation service for the general public in areas where and/or when fixed-route service is not viable. On-demand services are provided directly with dedicated vehicles operated by transit entities, including paratransit contractors or the new crop of on-demand technology vendors, as well as by non-dedicated service providers (NDSPs) such as taxis and/or TNCs, or a combination thereof. On-demand dispatching technology can be licensed separately by a transit agency for the service or provided by a provider (sometimes called software-as-a- service). And, with the ADA requirement for service equivalence in mind, transit agencies have either required vendors to provide wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV) service directly or through a subcontract, or directly operated WAVs. Research on state of the practice for on-demand transit in rural areas is needed for agencies to plan and operate/administrate service in their communities that better meets rider needs. The successes can serve as a guide to those transit agencies in rural communities who are contemplating introducing on-demand services to rural areas. Despite all the attention and research of on-demand, this is the one aspect that has lacked adequate research. The objective of this synthesis is to document the current state of practice of transit entities that have implemented on-demand services in rural settings.

Language

  • English

Project

  • Status: Active
  • Funding: $55,000.00
  • Contract Numbers:

    Project J-07, Topic SB-41

  • Sponsor Organizations:

    Transit Cooperative Research Program

    Transportation Research Board
    500 Fifth Street, NW
    Washington, DC    20001

    Federal Transit Administration

    1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
    Washington, DC  United States  20590
  • Project Managers:

    Griswold, Emily

  • Performing Organizations:

    ,   Germany 

    Four Square ITP

    Rockville, MD  United States 
  • Principal Investigators:

    McKeeman, Alanna

  • Start Date: 20231115
  • Expected Completion Date: 20250523
  • Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01884763
  • Record Type: Research project
  • Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
  • Contract Numbers: Project J-07, Topic SB-41
  • Files: TRB, RIP
  • Created Date: Jun 9 2023 7:17PM