2013 Session: 797

• Applying Structured Scheduling to Increase Performance in Rural Demand-Response Transportation
  Abstract: Many rural demand response transportation systems have increased ridership to a level that the systems feel they need technology or increased scheduling and vehicle capacity. Instead of adding resources, capacity can be expanded and performance can be increased by applying a scheduling structure. The scheduling structure proposed in this research applies directly to systems that share specific geographic characteristics. For these areas, trips are assigned to runs based on time and location, which results in increased performance and vehicle utilization. The structure enables trips to be scheduled during the booking process using simple and easy to understand rules that allow the customer to select the appropriate route.This research explains how to establish structured rural demand response transportation service and enumerates its benefits through a case study consisting of actual service data. The case study shows a reduction in service miles by 27% due to implementation of structured scheduling.
  Authors: Monast, Karl Crawford; Worthy, Joshua
  Authors: Monast, Karl Crawford; Worthy, Joshua
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Public Transportation
  Session: 797
  Paper Number: 13-1272
• Supporting Rural Public Transport Users During Disruptions: Role of Real-Time Information
  Abstract: High quality real-time passenger information provision is an important factor in supporting public transport use. Real time information is particularly useful for travellers in the event of service disruption. The role of real time information in supporting travellers during service disruption is poorly understood, particularly in rural areas. In this paper we first illustrate and categorise travel disruptions. Real time passenger information (RTPI) requirements - particularly for rural public transport users - are then identified for each stage and type of disruption through interviews and focus groups with rural passengers. Also patterns of passenger behaviour during travel and transport disruptions are identified. In the light of this research a conceptual model of the recovery phases of disruption is presented to align the RTPI requirements for each recovery phase of disruption. The evaluation of the model through a series of focus groups and interviews with passengers, transport service providers, and government agencies is then discussed. The paper concludes by suggesting necessary advances in digital technologies for RTPI systems to support public transport users during disruptions.
  Authors: Papangelis, Konstantinos; Velaga, Nagendra R; Sripada, Somayajulu; Beecroft, Mark; Nelson, John D; Anable, Jillian; Farrington, John H.
  Authors: Papangelis, Konstantinos; Velaga, Nagendra R; Sripada, Somayajulu; Beecroft, Mark; Nelson, John D; Anable, Jillian; Farrington, John H.
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Public Transportation
  Session: 797
  Paper Number: 13-2964
• Evaluation of a One-Call Center for Utah's Wasatch Front Region
  Abstract: Utah Department of Human Services, Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD) and Utah Department of Transportation collaborated on a United We Ride project to investigate the feasibility of a one-stop center to centralize dispatch for the transportation providers serving DSPD customers. This project was designed to deliver a work plan of meaningful “next steps” in Utah's transportation coordination process. The project provides an important insight into how services for individuals with developmental disabilities are delivered, how they can participate in one-call services, and the unique challenges of dealing with this Medicaid long-term care program. The project analyzed the funding for DSPD transportation programs and included an in-depth examination of the transportation services operated by agencies providing services for individuals with developmental disabilities. The project found that few coordination options exist if coordination efforts are limited to DSPD providers, but that there is good potential for coordination benefits if coordination activities are applied across many programs. Three key areas where actions are recommended are:•Coordination across programs with regional one-call centers and active mobility management efforts.•State program and policy actions with an active state coordinating council to address state program issues.•Strengthened communication between state program managers and service providers.This project’s implementation plan lays out a program to implement one-call centers, starting with a pilot project and a statewide working group to address issues of statewide importance. The overall implementation of the recommendations will necessarily be an iterative process, with refinements made over time.
  Authors: O'Neill, Suzanne; Wilks, Steven; Burkhardt, Jon E.
  Authors: O'Neill, Suzanne; Wilks, Steven; Burkhardt, Jon E.
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Public Transportation
  Session: 797
  Paper Number: 13-3071
• Connection Between Rural Transit and Rural Livability
  Abstract: The Partnership for Sustainable Communities Livability Principles provides an important framework to approaches supporting sustainable rural communities. However, the relationship between the broad Livability Principles and rural transit may or may not be apparent to rural transit practitioners, stakeholders and policy makers. Through a literature review of 62 documents exploring rural issues and trends, rural area transit delivery and livability, a vision for rural livability was developed with outlined opportunities for rural transit to impact the vision. The vision for rural livability was used as guidance in crafting “Relationship to Rural Transit Livability Statements” for each of the six Livability Principles. The Relationship to Rural Transit Livability Statements are meant to provide the connection between the Livability Principles and Rural Transit. The statements are aimed toward providing practitioners, stakeholders and policy makers with a tool to guide in developing performance measures, vision and mission statements, coordination plans, and future policies affecting rural transit and communities.
  Authors: Edrington, Suzie; Brooks, Jonathan Paul
  Authors: Edrington, Suzie; Brooks, Jonathan Paul
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Public Transportation
  Session: 797
  Paper Number: 13-3290
• Measuring Transit and Livability in Rural America, Rural Transit Livability Index (RTLI)
  Abstract: The Partnership for Sustainable Communities, established in 2009, laid out six principles for livable communities in the United States. Building more “livable” communities is a goal of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The FTA contracted with Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) on a project entitled, “Rural Livability Performance Measures Suitable for Use at a National Level” to identify, test, and recommend a set of measures which leverage existing national data to characterize the contributions of transit to livability in rural areas of the United States. Researchers identified six “rural transit livability performance measures”, one for each PSC livability principle, through an iterative process of literature review, discussion with FTA staff, and expert review. The research team created a methodology to combine the six measures into a national index specific to rural transit and livability—the Rural-Transit-Livability Index (RTLI). The article describes RTLI methodology, case study application to eight states, and statistical comparison with potentially confounding external variables. The authors conclude that the RTLI methodology successfully leverages existing data sources in the United States to effectively, albeit indirectly, measure the nexus between livability and rural transit services. Researchers recommend that policy makers and rural stakeholders alike use the rural transit livability performance measures and the RTLI as a gauge for policy construction and communication.
  Authors: Brooks, Jonathan Paul; Edrington, Suzie; Catala, Martin
  Authors: Brooks, Jonathan Paul; Edrington, Suzie; Catala, Martin
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Public Transportation
  Session: 797
  Paper Number: 13-4308
• Applying Structured Scheduling to Increase Performance in Rural Demand-Response Transportation
  Authors: Monast, Karl
  Authors: Monast, Karl
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Public Transportation
  Session: 797
  Paper Number: 13-1272
• Supporting Rural Public Transport Users During Disruptions: Role of Real-Time Information
  Authors: Velaga, Nagendra
  Authors: Velaga, Nagendra
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Public Transportation
  Session: 797
  Paper Number: 13-2964
• Measuring Transit and Livability in Rural America, Rural Transit Livability Index (RTLI)
  Authors: Brooks, Jonathan
  Authors: Brooks, Jonathan
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Public Transportation
  Session: 797
  Paper Number: 13-4308
• Evaluation of a One-Call Center for Utah's Wasatch Front Region
  Authors: Burkhardt, Jon
  Authors: Burkhardt, Jon
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Public Transportation
  Session: 797
  Paper Number: 13-3071
• Connection Between Rural Transit and Rural Livability
  Authors: Brooks, Jonathan
  Authors: Brooks, Jonathan
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Public Transportation
  Session: 797
  Paper Number: 13-3290