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

Chira-Chavala, T.; Venter, Christoffel; Gosling, Geoffrey D. · 1997 · ROSA P / University of California, Berkeley. Institute of Transportation Studies

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Summary

This report evaluates a demonstration project implemented by OUTREACH, the paratransit service broker for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Agency (SCVTA), to address the operational challenges posed by rapid ridership growth and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The study assesses the impact of an advanced paratransit system comprising three technologies: a Digital Geographic Database (DGD), an Automated Trip Scheduling System (ATSS), and Automated Vehicle Location (AVL) equipment. The ATSS and DGD were deployed in February 1995, while AVL equipment was installed on 40 vans in June 1996. The evaluation aims to determine the system's effects on costs, productivity, service quality, and workforce requirements, providing insights for national Advanced Public Transportation Systems (APTS) objectives. The research methodology involved a comprehensive analysis of operational data, cost accounting, and user surveys conducted before and after the ATSS implementation. The study compared metrics such as vehicle deadheading, shared ride percentages, personnel salaries, and capital expenditures against a baseline period prior to automation. Additionally, the report analyzed user perceptions through telephone interviews regarding on-time performance, ride comfort, and booking ease. The evaluation also examined institutional issues, including vendor relationships and technical implementation challenges, to identify lessons learned for future deployments. The findings indicate that the ATSS significantly improved operational efficiency and reduced costs. The system yielded estimated annual savings of $488,325, equating to $0.27 per passenger mile, without degrading service quality. Key productivity gains included a 28% reduction in personnel salaries per passenger mile and a substantial increase in the percentage of shared rides. However, the ATSS required a workforce reorganization to accommodate higher technical skill requirements and resulted in a 13% increase in taxi vehicle deadheading per passenger mile. The AVL system, operational for only two months during the evaluation period, reduced personnel workload and stress, enhanced management functions, and improved the monitoring of vehicle on-time performance. User surveys revealed that clients perceived improvements in on-time performance, ride comfort, and the ease of booking trips. The study concludes that ATSS technology is likely the cornerstone of advanced paratransit systems, particularly for agencies experiencing rapid growth. It holds promise for coordinating and consolidating services across jurisdictions. However, successful implementation requires adequate technical expertise, flexible budgeting for unforeseen expenses, and user-friendly software. The authors note that while the ATSS provided immediate benefits, the full potential of AVL technology—such as real-time scheduling and multimodal integration—requires longer-term operational adjustments. The report recommends further demonstration projects to derive reliable benefit estimates under varying conditions and emphasizes the need for federal and state incentives to accelerate the adoption of these technologies.

Key finding

The implementation of the automated trip scheduling system reduced total paratransit operation costs by $0.27 per passenger mile and decreased personnel salaries per passenger mile by 28 percent while increasing shared ride percentages.

Methodology

field_study

Provenance

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