Executive Summary
Older adults, persons with disabilities, and individuals with lower incomes frequently do not have access to transportation or their access to transportation is limited. These populations, called "transportation disadvantaged," need flexible yet dependable routes and schedules, easily understood traveler information, low-cost fares that are easy to understand, and transportation that is safe and secure.
This report highlights technologies that improve accessibility for the transportation disadvantaged. A special emphasis is placed on those technologies that improve coordination of agencies, services, functions, or modes because coordination can result in greater efficiency and service delivery improvements.
One of the greatest challenges to implementing technologies is that of coordinating the goals and functions of multiple agencies. Obstacles to coordination include different rules and standards among the various agencies, different funding streams, and limited guidance. A technology solution that enables coordination among different agencies can lead to long-term organizational efficiencies not possible with a manual system for coordination.
It must be noted that only technologies that have been deployed will be emphasized in this report. Updated information on technologies and applications is available at the Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office website (http://www.its.dot.gov) and the United We Ride website (http://www.unitedweride.gov).
This report profiles six diverse sites that have successfully deployed ITS technologies to improve transportation options for the transportation disadvantaged. While these agencies have used different approaches, based on their needs and in-house capabilities, all have emphasized the importance of coordination and flexibility in providing service. Based on their experiences, these agencies have many lessons to share.
- Technologies should be phased in incrementally, ironing out the problems with each technology before adding another layer of complexity.
- Training of staff, operators, drivers, and users is crucial to allay apprehensions and ensure complete and accurate use of the system.
- Regular meetings between system providers, subcontractors, policy makers, special interest groups, and agency managers allow stakeholders to share problems and ideas and to build consensus.
- ITS technologies produce a massive amount of data, and a commitment to data quality is essential. There is usually more than one use for a data set. Mining and reusing the data can lead to insights which form the basis for operational improvements.
- It is important to be a "smart client" for vendor-supplied software. It is particularly important to assess the vendor's longevity and integration capability, avoid excessive modifications of the software's functionality, and insist on on-site training and support.
With the high degree of variability among transportation providers and the areas they serve, there is no single technology or configuration that will be appropriate for all areas. Fortunately, with the breadth of technologies that are currently available and the degree to which technology can be customized, an ITS application can generally be developed for almost any setting.
The deployment of ITS technology will inevitably require overcoming some hurdles, either technical or institutional. By examining what others have learned, many valuable insights can be gained and many challenges overcome. This report, which documents solutions from agencies that have already implemented ITS technologies, can help other agencies make these transportation service improvements a reality.