FUTURE RIDE: ADAPTING NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO PARATRANSIT IN THE UNITED STATES. WORKING PAPER

Paratransit, an in-between fixed-route transit and the private automobile, is offered as hi-tech paratransit or the future ride. This research reflects the view that certain high technology enhancements can greatly improve the range of paratransit services, and hence the demand for these services. This paper investigates the possibility that the application of technological innovations can make paratransit into a mode that is cost-effective for both passsengers and operators, relative to the private automobile. The report introduces the concept by providing background information, comparing it with other transit modes, and creating a typology of potential services offered by high-tech paratransit. High technology enhancements that can greatly improve the range of paratransit services or create new ones are discussed. Descriptions are provided for the four principal high-tech components proposed for smart paratransit: automatic vehicle location (AVL), automated scheduling, database technology, and user interfaces. Identified are three types of paratransit services that owe their existence to these technologies or are substantially enhanced by them: parataxis, special/ADA services, and general public transit. Also discussed are the issues involved in applications of the new technologies to paratransit. The study calls for investigating how paratransit in general, and advanced technology applications in particular, can be integrated with existing transit systems to provide net social benefits.

• Record URL:
  http://www.uctc.net/papers/306.pdf
• 
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Prepared for the FTA University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of California Transportation Center (UCTC)

  University of California, Berkeley
  2614 Dwight Way, 2nd Floor
  Berkeley, CA  United States  94720-1782

  Federal Transit Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Round, A
  • Cervero, R
• Publication Date: 1996-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 48 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automatic vehicle location; Cost effectiveness; High technology industries; Level of service; Paratransit services; Scheduling; Special user groups; Technological innovations
• Uncontrolled Terms: Automated scheduling
• Old TRIS Terms: Parataxis
• Subject Areas: Finance; Public Transportation; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00724292
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Transit Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: Working Paper UCTC 306
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 3 1996 12:00AM