Connecting Underserved Rural Populations that have Disabilities to Automated Vehicle Technology for Improved Access and Mobility

The project will develop knowledge and practice at the confluence of automated vehicle (AV) technology with people with disabilities in rural and small-town communities. The aim is to provide more and better mobility options for people with disabilities. The project's purpose is to (1) create a framework based on a synthesis of literature and identify opportunities (especially for AV technologies) to address mobility gaps for people with disabilities; (2) create a unique database of people with disabilities in rural communities for analysis and insights; (3) apply statistical and artificial intelligence (AI) methods (e.g., explainable AI techniques such as Shapley Additive Explanations and Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanation) that can identify opportunities (benefits and costs) for AV technology adoption and impacts for people with disabilities. Interviews with disability service providers (Mobilityworks, Braunability) and AV suppliers (Waymo, Maymobility, and Nuro), and the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) will offer insights into advancements, opportunities, and barriers to AV technology adoption. Information collected will include disability services, the features/performance of AV technologies, and their testing/deployment. The project will examine the first and last 100-meter connectivity challenge for disabled travelers and propose assistive infrastructure and technology solutions. The project will involve consultation with Aging, Disability, and Transit Services (ADTS) to understand mobility challenges for seniors and disabled individuals. The study will review adaptive vehicle solutions from disability service providers such as MobilityWorks and BraunAbility to evaluate AV-compatible wheelchair-accessible vans. It will examine the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliance standards for wheelchair-accessible AVs to ensure regulatory alignment. Using a conceptual and data-driven approach, the proposed project will accelerate progress in providing mobility access to people with disabilities through AV technologies.

• Record URL:
  • https://www.cr2c2.com/research/major-research-initiatives/mri-1/project-r1-6
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Project R1-6

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $150,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552348304

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Office of Research

  1534 White Avenue
  Knoxville, TN  United States  37996
• Managing Organizations:

  Center for Regional and Rural Connected Communities

  North Carolina A&T State University
  Greensboro, NC  United States  27411

  University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  Center for Transportation Research (CTR)
  Knoxville, TN  United States  37996
• Project Managers:

  Khattak, Asad

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  Knoxville, TN  United States 
• Principal Investigators:

  Khattak, Asad

  Flinchum, DeAnna

• Start Date: 20250101
• Expected Completion Date: 20251231
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accessibility; Artificial intelligence; Autonomous vehicles; Benefit cost analysis; First mile and last mile; Mobility; Persons with disabilities; Rural transportation
• Subject Areas: Public Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01949438
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Center for Regional and Rural Connected Communities
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552348304
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Mar 21 2025 3:31PM