Service and Methods Demonstration Program Annual Report [July 1978]

Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Centerhttps://doi.org/10.21949/15268011978PDFTech ReportKendall, Donald C.John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)United States. Department of Transportation. Urban Mass Transportation AdministrationUnited States. Department of Transportation. Urban Mass Transportation AdministrationUnited StatesDemonstration projectsEconomic efficiencyFederal governmentFederal assistance programsInformation disseminationParatransit servicesPublic transitUrban transportationFederal programsUMTA-MA-06-0049-78-6The Urban Mass Transportation Administration's Service and Methods Demonstration (SMD) Program addresses the national need to improve the quality, quantity, and efficiency of public transportation services of innovative transit operating techniques and services which utilize existing technology. This report contains a description of the SMD Program for Fiscal Year 1977. Program activities and accomplishments are reviewed, including current and future demonstration project descriptions, project findings, and other support activities. Project findings are organized into four program areas: Conventional Transit, Pricing and Service Innovations, Paratransit, and Special User Groups. In this report, results of demonstration projects and studies leading to or in support of demonstrations are summarized. Areas where there are gaps in the understanding of innovative concepts are mentioned, together with future projects aimed at obtaining necessary experience to arrive at more conclusive understanding of the applicability and potential of these concepts. Other activities carried out in support of the demonstrations are reviewed, such as the development of structured approach to project evaluations, studies of independently initiated local innovations, and the information dissemination program140