Automated vehicle-supported mobility services for rural areas

Access to safe, reliable, equitable, and affordable transportation services is vital for maximizing economic productivity and quality of life. However, underserved, under-represented, and marginalized communities, such as low-income and rural communities, carry disproportionate mobility burdens in our society that significantly impact their quality of life and economic opportunities [Martens et al., 2019]. High operational costs and limited funding of public transportation services are significant limitations in providing essential transportation services in these areas. In rural and small urban areas where funding is a major challenge, providing non-mandated services to improve the mobility of people is not always possible. Research assessing the needs of low-income rural communities and how autonomous vehicle (AV)-supported mobility service delivery models could meet those needs is limited [Breitenbach, 2022]. This study aims to develop AV-supported mobility service models in supporting travel demand of rural communities. The research team will share the findings with agencies with rural transportation service focus in WV. In addition, the findings will be presented in conferences and published in peer-reviewed journal.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $100000
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552348303

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Sustainable Mobility and Accessibility Regional Transportation Equity Research Center

  Morgan State University
  Baltimore, MD  United States 

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Niehaus, Joseph

• Performing Organizations:

  West Virginia University, Morgantown

  Morgantown, WV  United States  26506
• Principal Investigators:

  Dey, Kakan

  Martinelli, David

• Start Date: 20230901
• Expected Completion Date: 20240901
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Autonomous vehicles; Mobility; Passenger transportation; Rural areas; Transportation disadvantaged persons; Travel demand
• Subject Areas: Highways; Passenger Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01893885
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Sustainable Mobility and Accessibility Regional Transportation Equity Research Center
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552348303
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Sep 21 2023 3:52PM