Advanced paratransit system : an application of digital map, automated vehicle scheduling and vehicle location systems

Final reportTransferred from EDL on 5/14/2008PDFTech ReportUCB-ITS-RR-97-lRTA-65W113Paratransit servicesAdvanced public transportation systemsDemonstration projectsEvaluation and assessmentUniversity of California, Berkeley. Institute of Transportation StudiesChira-Chavala, T.Venter, ChristoffelGosling, Geoffrey D.University of California, Berkeley. Institute of Transportation StudiesCalifornia. Dept. of Transportation. Division of New Technology, Materials, and ResearchNTL-INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS-INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMSNTL-PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION-Advanced Public Transit SystemsIntelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program OfficeThis report documents and evaluates an advanced Paratransit system demonstration project. The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Agency (SCVTA), via OUTREACH, implemented such a system, comprised of an automated trip scheduling system (ATSS) and automated vehicle location (AVL) equipment. The ATSS use resulted in: reduction in the total paratransit operation cost of $0.27 per passenger mile; higher percent shared rides; 28% lower personnel salaries per passenger mile. The user survey revealed that the ATSS use resulted in significant productivity gains without degrading tbe service quality to customers. However, the ATSS required higher levels of technical skills; and vehicle deadheading per passenger mile for taxis increased by 13%. Observed benefits of the AVL system in the first two months of operation include: reduced personnel workload and stress; enhanced operation and management functions; and capability to monitor vehicle on-time performance. Potential longer-term benefits of AVL are also described. Implications of this demonstration project toward the national APTS objectives include: The ATSS technology is likely to be the cornerstone of advanced paratransit systems, and would be particularly useful for large and medium-sized paratransit operations undergoing rapid growth. ATSSs hold promise for coordination and consolidation of paratransit services. Large-scale use of ATSSs would depend on the development of complete and user-friendly system, ability to provide technical assistance to transit agencies to install and operate such systems, and funding. More demonstration projects are needed to derive reliable estimates of tbe benefits under differing conditions