Assessment of METROLift Automatic Vehicle Location System

This report examines the use of an automatic vehicle location (AVL) system with the paratransit services operated by the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston METRO). METRO provides specialized paratransit services to individuals with special needs within the Houston metropolitan area. The service, which is called METROLift, provides pre-scheduled, curb-to-curb transportation for individuals who are unable to ride accessible fixed-route buses. METROLift provides approximately 2,300 daily trips utilizing 153 vehicles. In 1993, METRO initiated the use of an AVL system with the METROLift service. This report examines the use of the AVL system and its impact on the METROLift service. It includes an assessment of the performance of the AVL system; changes in METROLift response times, customer complaints, backup taxi service, and the ratio of passenger miles to revenue miles; and the reaction of operating personnel. It also identifies additional enhancements to specialized transportation services through the application of ITS technologies. Transit systems throughout the United States and the world are examining methods to improve the responsiveness of specialized paratransit services, while at the same time maximizing the efficiency of the services. The results from this research study indicate that an AVL system can help in meeting these objectives.

• Record URL:
  • https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/20000/20400/20421/PB98126527.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Texas Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System, 3135 TAMU
  College Station, TX  United States  77843-3135

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Higgins, Laura
  • Vaidya, Nitin
  • Turnbull, Katherine F
• Publication Date: 1995-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 102p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automatic vehicle location; Bus transit; Evaluation and assessment; Intelligent transportation systems; Paratransit services; Performance
• Geographic Terms: Houston (Texas)
• Subject Areas: Operations and Traffic Management; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01090450
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: TTI/ITS RCE-95/02
• Contract Numbers: DTFH61-93-X-00017-004
• Files: NTL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Mar 21 2008 8:20AM