An Assessment of Options for Integrating Taxicabs into an Urban Environment

University Transportation Centers Program2001PDFTech ReportGoodwin, Ronald E.Lewis, Carol A.Texas Southern University. Center for Transportation Training and ResearchSouthwest Region University Transportation Center (U.S.)United States. Department of Transportation. University Transportation Centers (UTC) ProgramTexas Southern University. Center for Transportation Training and ResearchHouston (Texas)TaxicabsJitneysParatransit servicesUrban areasCitiesIntegrated systemsPublic transitMobilityTraffic congestionTransportation planningSWUTC/01/167902-1Discussions surrounding the inclusion of taxicabs into the planning processes in urban areas have been ongoing since the oil crises of the 1970s. While there are some commonalties in the regulatory guidelines concerning taxicabs, most of the regulations vary from city to city. Such guidelines protect the public's safety and provide some consistency among the city's taxicab providers. In areas without public transit, taxicabs may be the only form of public transit available. The challenges facing many planners and public officials where there is a mix of public transit and taxicabs is the seamless integration of all available systems of transportation. When this integration is successful it creates a transportation network that reduces congestion and pollution, and ultimately improves regional mobility. This study examines the many ways taxicabs function in urban environments. The influences of the federal government and metropolitan planning organizations are critical for taxicabs to be successfully integrated into the urban transportation network. There are examples of taxicabs being subsidized by local governmental entities, and examples of unsubsidized situations. The principal focus will be to identify strategies for the inclusion of taxicabs in an urban environment. The city of Houston will serve as the specific model for local inclusion.127