Abstract
Automatic vehicle location (AVL) and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems have afforded a unique opportunity for public transit agencies to integrate these technologies in their paratransit systems for improved productivity and reliability. This opportunity has also prompted widespread interest in quantifying the benefits that can be attained from such technological enhancement. This research assesses the potential effects of AVL and CAD on the productivity and service reliability of a paratransit system. A simulation model that can realistically model AVL and CAD functionality is used in the investigation. Many cases representing variations in operating environment, such as service area, demand intensity, and proportion of real-time demand trips, are simulated for a sensitivity analysis under three assumed operational improvements—en route diversion, dwell time reduction, and periodic reoptimization. The results indicate that although AVL and CAD effectiveness varies from case to case, on average, these systems can help to substantially improve paratransit performance.
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