Cost and Productivity Impacts of a “Smart” Paratransit System

Abstract

The cost and productivity impacts of an advanced paratransit system are analyzed; the system uses a digital geographical data base and an automated trip scheduling system to automate vehicle and passenger scheduling functions. The results indicate that such a system enables transit agencies to accommodate rapid increases in the paratransit demand in an efficient manner, which could not be accomplished by a manual or semimanual scheduling system. For the case study presented, this new system resulted in 13 percent savings in unit transportation operating cost and a significant increase in the percentage of shared rides. These benefits were achieved without affecting passengers’ travel time or ride comfort.