IMPACTS OF MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES ON DEMAND RESPONSIVE TRANSIT SYSTEMS

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2004

Subject Area

land use - impacts, ridership - commuting, ridership - demand, economics - operating costs, organisation - management, mode - bus, mode - paratransit, mode - demand responsive transit

Keywords

Transit authorities, Technological innovations, Productivity, Production rate, Paratransit services, Operating costs, Incentives, Dispatching, Dial a ride, Demand responsive transportation, Cost of operation, Communications networks, Communication systems, Business practices, Benchmarks, Advanced technology

Abstract

This study evaluates the impact of several advanced technologies and management practices upon the productivity and operating costs of demand responsive transit (DRT) systems. A nationwide benchmarking study involving 62 transit agencies with DRT systems was conducted. The DRT systems that were studied consisted of dial-a-ride programs that transit agencies use for point-to-point pickup and delivery of the elderly and handicapped. The analysis indicates that the use of a paratransit computer aided dispatching (CAD) system and agency delivery service provide productivity benefits. However, implementation of CAD technology has no corresponding impact on operating cost. The use of advanced communication technology was found to have a beneficial impact on operating costs. The use of financial incentives has a detrimental impact on both productivity and operating cost.

Comments

Transportation Research Part A Home Page: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09658564

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