Rural Public Transportation Technologies: User Needs and Applications [Final Report]

1998PDFResearch PaperFHW A-RD-98-125DTFH6 l-93-C-00048Rural areasRural transportationIntelligent transportation systemsAdvanced pubPublic transportationRural areasRural transportationState-of-the-artSurveysTechnologyTransportation systemsUrban areasUrban transportationUser needsUnited StatesUnited States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Safety and Traffic OperationsZarean, M.Buergler, B.Sajovec, J.Burkhardt, J.Schweiger, C. L.TransCore (Firm)United States. Federal Highway AdministrationNTL-PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION-PUBLIC TRANSPORTATIONUS Transportation CollectionThe Rural Public Transportation Technologies: User Needs and Applications Study was conducted as part of the U.S. DOT's overall Rural Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Program. The study examined the opportunities and challenges of planning and deploying advanced public transportation systems (APTS) technologies in rural and small urban areas. The purpose of the study was to gain a better understanding of the state of the practice of rural APTS and to determine where the U.S. DOT could best direct its resources to close the gap between current practice and the state of the art. User and operator surveys and site visits were conducted to determine information requirements, problems, interest, and concerns of both operators and passengers of transit systems in rural and small urban areas. A state-of-the-art technology assessment was also conducted to determine the potential for current and emerging technologies to satisfy the requirements of rural transit users and operators. The technology assessment focused on transit-related advanced traveler information systems for transit riders and applications of APTS technologies to improve financial accountability and data verification for rural transit operators. Nine rural ITS action items are recommended to address the identified needs. Recommended actions could pertain to any part of the U.S. DOT's Rural ITS Program, including research and development, deployment, and delivery/outreach. However, the study's expert panel recommended that high priority be given to the delivery/outreach aspect of the Rural ITS Program. An Executive Summary, which summarizes the findings of this study, was also prepared