Flexible transportation services - Revision history

Sergio: broken link inaccessible new link to pdf file TCRP RPT 140

2017-12-09T22:59:13Z

broken link inaccessible new link to pdf file TCRP RPT 140

BK: fixed link

2015-06-06T01:41:22Z

fixed link

Keviniano: Updated status of TriMet Cedar Mill Shuttle

2015-05-20T18:32:17Z

Updated status of TriMet Cedar Mill Shuttle

BK: added photo

2015-04-24T00:20:51Z

added photo

BK at 01:01, 7 March 2015

2015-03-07T01:01:42Z

BK at 01:01, 7 March 2015

2015-03-07T01:01:05Z

Jmatute at 20:13, 8 November 2013

2013-11-08T20:13:10Z

Jmatute at 18:18, 31 October 2013

2013-10-31T18:18:12Z

Jmatute at 18:17, 31 October 2013

2013-10-31T18:17:26Z

Jlarose at 00:13, 30 October 2013

2013-10-30T00:13:54Z

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 Example benefits include cost savings in small urban areas when serving persons with disabilities rather than a strictly demand-response service. First-time public transit users may be encouraged to use a flexible service in suburban communities to connect with regional options. Flexible services such as fixed-route deviation can improve reliability for customers who would otherwise be dependent on an exclusively demand-response system. Agencies may find that a flexible service is a more effective use of resources compared to traditional models <ref>[http://www.apta.com/mc/bus/previous/2012/presentations/Presentations/Hopper-Deviated-Fixed-Route-Service.pdf "'Hopper' Deviated Fixed-Route Service".] Presentation at APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference. 2012.</ref>. <br />
-Although flexible transportation services can be beneficial, like any service they can suffer from problems. Difficulties with scheduling around demand (difficult to keep time at high demand, for example), generating ridership, and confusion among consumers have been cited as reasons for discontinuing flexible services. In at least one instance, a flexible service was replaced by a fixed-route service when ridership increased enough to justify the change <ref> Transit Cooperative Research Program. [http://www.tcrponline.org/PDFDocuments/TCRP_RPT_140.pdf "A Guide for Planning and Operating Flexible Public Transportation Services."] 2010.</ref>. <br />
+Although flexible transportation services can be beneficial, like any service they can suffer from problems. Difficulties with scheduling around demand (difficult to keep time at high demand, for example), generating ridership, and confusion among consumers have been cited as reasons for discontinuing flexible services. In at least one instance, a flexible service was replaced by a fixed-route service when ridership increased enough to justify the change <ref> Transit Cooperative Research Program. [http://busschedule1.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/TCRP_RPT_140.pdf.pdf "A Guide for Planning and Operating Flexible Public Transportation Services."] 2010.</ref>. <br />
 === Defining Flexible Public Transportation Service ===
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 A core element of flexible public transportation services is a communication plan. A system may include how and when passengers communicate requests for service, whether requests can be negotiated, how drivers are dispatched, and whether other agencies participate in provision of service. A wide variety of options for requesting service are utilized, with some agencies requiring reservations while others allow nearly on-demand service. Dispatching requests to the driver is largely done through two-way radio, although some agencies use cell phones or mobile data terminals. Agencies may also employ automated vehicle location (AVL) as a tool for both operation and consumer information.
 ===Examples of Flexible Service in California===
-* [http://www.omnitrans.org/ Omnitrans], serving the San Bernardino Valley region, is cited as a participant in the study which supports TCRP Report 140 <ref> Transit Cooperative Research Program. [http://www.tcrponline.org/PDFDocuments/TCRP_RPT_140.pdf "A Guide for Planning and Operating Flexible Public Transportation Services."] 2010. Page 82.</ref>. Omnitrans utilizes both Zone Routes and a Demand-Responsive Connector under the brand OmniLink to make connections to its fixed-route system.
+* [http://www.omnitrans.org/ Omnitrans], serving the San Bernardino Valley region, is cited as a participant in the study which supports TCRP Report 140 <ref> Transit Cooperative Research Program. [http://busschedule1.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/TCRP_RPT_140.pdf.pdf "A Guide for Planning and Operating Flexible Public Transportation Services."] 2010. Page 82.</ref>. Omnitrans utilizes both Zone Routes and a Demand-Responsive Connector under the brand OmniLink to make connections to its fixed-route system.
 * The San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD), serving California’s Central Valley provides the [http://sanjoaquinrtd.com/maps_and_schedules/hopper.php Hopper Service], which reallocated existing resources to create a deviated-fixed route. This combined both fixed-route and complementary paratransit services to enhance customer satisfaction and improve cost-effectiveness.

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 '''Flexible public transportation services''' is a general term describing a range of strategies typically utilized in local public bus transportation. It is commonly applied to services which incorporate elements of, but are not exclusively fixed-route or demand-responsive models. Compared to those standard models, in some cases flexible services may be more cost-effective, efficient, serve a more broad range of users, or some combination of each. Flexible services may be more common in rural or suburban areas than dense urban areas but examples are found even up to areas with a population of several million.<br />
-Example benefits include cost savings in small urban areas when serving persons with disabilities rather than a strictly demand-response service. First-time public transit users may be encouraged to use a flexible service in suburban communities to connect with regional options. Flexible services such as fixed-route deviation can improve reliability for customers who would otherwise be dependent on an exclusively demand-response system. Agencies may find that a flexible service is a more effective use of resources compared to traditional models <ref>[http://www.apta.com/mc/bus/presentations/Presentations/Hopper-Deviated-Fixed-Route-Service.pdf "'Hopper' Deviated Fixed-Route Service".] Presentation at APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference. 2012.</ref>. <br />
+Example benefits include cost savings in small urban areas when serving persons with disabilities rather than a strictly demand-response service. First-time public transit users may be encouraged to use a flexible service in suburban communities to connect with regional options. Flexible services such as fixed-route deviation can improve reliability for customers who would otherwise be dependent on an exclusively demand-response system. Agencies may find that a flexible service is a more effective use of resources compared to traditional models <ref>[http://www.apta.com/mc/bus/previous/2012/presentations/Presentations/Hopper-Deviated-Fixed-Route-Service.pdf "'Hopper' Deviated Fixed-Route Service".] Presentation at APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference. 2012.</ref>. <br />
 Although flexible transportation services can be beneficial, like any service they can suffer from problems. Difficulties with scheduling around demand (difficult to keep time at high demand, for example), generating ridership, and confusion among consumers have been cited as reasons for discontinuing flexible services. In at least one instance, a flexible service was replaced by a fixed-route service when ridership increased enough to justify the change <ref> Transit Cooperative Research Program. [http://www.tcrponline.org/PDFDocuments/TCRP_RPT_140.pdf "A Guide for Planning and Operating Flexible Public Transportation Services."] 2010.</ref>. <br />

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 | Tillamook County Transportation District  || Tillamook, OR || Deviated Fixed Route || Rural routes with flag stops and an informal deviation area.
 |-
-| Tri-Met || Portland, OR || Cedar Mill Shuttle || Peak-period demand-responsive connector to a transit center.
+| Tri-Met || Portland, OR || Cedar Mill Shuttle || Peak-period demand-responsive connector to a transit center. Discontinued in 2009. <ref>[http://trimet.org/pdfs/news/trimet_ord_306_board_memo.pdf TriMet Ordinance No. 306] April 2009</ref>
 |-
 | Winnipeg Transit System || Winnipeg, Manitoba  || DART || Suburban demand-responsive connectors in four areas with marked drop-off locations.

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		+	[[File:HARTFlexBus.jpg\|thumb\|right\|300px\|A HARTFlex Bus in Florida's Hillsborough County. Photo Courtesy of Center for Transportation Research at the University of South Florida.]]
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	[[Category:Operating effectiveness]]		[[Category:Operating effectiveness]]

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 ===Examples of Flexible Service Around the Country===
-Additional examples of Flexible Transit Services include:<ref> Transit Cooperative Research Program. [http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/tcrp/tcrp_syn_53.pdf "Operational Experiences with Flexible Transit Services."] 204. Page 5.</ref>
+Additional examples of Flexible Transit Services include:<ref> Transit Cooperative Research Program. [http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/tcrp/tcrp_syn_53.pdf "Operational Experiences with Flexible Transit Services."] 2004. Page 5.</ref>
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	=== Introduction ===		=== Introduction ===

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	=== Introduction ===		=== Introduction ===
	'''Flexible public transportation services''' is a general term describing a range of strategies typically utilized in local public bus transportation. It is commonly applied to services which incorporate elements of, but are not exclusively fixed-route or demand-responsive models. Compared to those standard models, in some cases flexible services may be more cost-effective, efficient, serve a more broad range of users, or some combination of each. Flexible services may be more common in rural or suburban areas than dense urban areas but examples are found even up to areas with a population of several million. <br />		'''Flexible public transportation services''' is a general term describing a range of strategies typically utilized in local public bus transportation. It is commonly applied to services which incorporate elements of, but are not exclusively fixed-route or demand-responsive models. Compared to those standard models, in some cases flexible services may be more cost-effective, efficient, serve a more broad range of users, or some combination of each. Flexible services may be more common in rural or suburban areas than dense urban areas but examples are found even up to areas with a population of several million. <br />

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 '''Flexible public transportation services''' is a general term describing a range of strategies typically utilized in local public bus transportation. It is commonly applied to services which incorporate elements of, but are not exclusively fixed-route or demand-responsive models. Compared to those standard models, in some cases flexible services may be more cost-effective, efficient, serve a more broad range of users, or some combination of each. Flexible services may be more common in rural or suburban areas than dense urban areas but examples are found even up to areas with a population of several million. <br />
-The structure of flexible public transportation is dependent on the characteristics of the area served, varying between rural, small urban, and large urban regions. Example benefits include cost savings in small urban areas when serving persons with disabilities rather than a strictly demand-response service. First-time public transit users may be encouraged to use a flexible service in suburban communities to connect with regional options. Flexible services such as fixed-route deviation can improve reliability for customers who would otherwise be dependent on an exclusively demand-response system. Agencies may find that a flexible service is a more effective use of resources compared to traditional models <ref>[http://www.apta.com/mc/bus/presentations/Presentations/Hopper-Deviated-Fixed-Route-Service.pdf "'Hopper' Deviated Fixed-Route Service".] Presentation at APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference. 2012.</ref>.
+Example benefits include cost savings in small urban areas when serving persons with disabilities rather than a strictly demand-response service. First-time public transit users may be encouraged to use a flexible service in suburban communities to connect with regional options. Flexible services such as fixed-route deviation can improve reliability for customers who would otherwise be dependent on an exclusively demand-response system. Agencies may find that a flexible service is a more effective use of resources compared to traditional models <ref>[http://www.apta.com/mc/bus/presentations/Presentations/Hopper-Deviated-Fixed-Route-Service.pdf "'Hopper' Deviated Fixed-Route Service".] Presentation at APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference. 2012.</ref>.
 <br />
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 === Defining Flexible Public Transportation Service ===
 ==== Core Strategies ====
-There are six different approaches to flexible public transportation services, ranging in nature from nearly fixed-route to nearly demand-responsive.
+There are six different approaches to flexible public transportation services, ranging in nature from nearly fixed-route to nearly demand-responsive. The structure of flexible public transportation is dependent on the characteristics of the area served, varying between rural, small urban, and large urban regions.
-# Route Deviation - a defined path and schedule is used to define a service area, but the vehicle(s) may serve requests for pick-up or drop-off within a specified zone around the path. The deviation-zone may or may not be strictly bounded. According to a survey of service operators, the deviation is commonly between one-half and three-quarters of a mile from the route. Three-quarters of a mile from is the distance mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for paratransit service complementing a fixed-route service.
+# '''Route Deviation:''' a defined path and schedule is used to define a service area, but the vehicle(s) may serve requests for pick-up or drop-off within a specified zone around the path. The deviation-zone may or may not be strictly bounded. According to a survey of service operators, the deviation is commonly between one-half and three-quarters of a mile from the route. Three-quarters of a mile from is the distance mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for paratransit service complementing a fixed-route service. This service type is most effective in areas with enough density to support a predictable route and schedule but could benefit from the flexibility of serving origins and destinations that are otherwise off-route.
-# Point Deviation: service is provided within a defined zone with a set of specific stops, but the path between the stops is unspecified and the vehicle will serve locations within the zone on request.
+# '''Point Deviation:''' service is provided within a defined zone with a set of specific stops, but the path between the stops is unspecified and the vehicle will serve locations within the zone on request. Point Deviation can be most effective in an area with specific trip destinations but dispersed origins, or vice-versa.
-# Demand-Responsive Connector: service operates entirely by demand-response, but includes scheduled transfer points connecting with a fixed route.
+# '''Demand-Responsive Connector:''' service operates entirely by demand-response, but includes scheduled transfer points connecting with a fixed route. The Connector is an effective option when there are scattered origins but a common destination once connected with the fixed-route system.
-# Request Stops: a scheduled, fixed-route service in which certain stops are served only in response to passenger requests. Generally the vehicle must deviate off the fixed path to serve request stops. This is similar to route deviation, but limited only to specific stops instead of a range of unspecified locations within a zone.
+# '''Request Stops:''' a scheduled, fixed-route service in which certain stops are served only in response to passenger requests. Generally the vehicle must deviate off the fixed path to serve request stops. This is similar to route deviation, but limited only to specific stops instead of a range of unspecified locations within a zone.
-# Flexible-Route Segments: a portion of an otherwise scheduled fixed-route is operated as demand-response.
+# '''Flexible-Route Segments:''' a portion of an otherwise scheduled fixed-route is operated as demand-response. Assigning a segment of a fixed-route to flexible service can be beneficial in very low-density areas.
-# Zone Route: a primarily demand-response service that has set departure and arrival times at its end points.
+# '''Zone Route:''' a primarily demand-response service that has set departure and arrival times at its end points. The Zone Route is effective when there is not a defined corridor to travel, but specific a specific origin or destination exists within an area.
 <br />
 According to research undertaken by the Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP), route deviation is the most commonly operated flexible service type. This is followed by the use of request stops and the demand-responsive connector.<br />
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 Agencies primarily provide special training for area-famliarization with regards to flexible services. Some agencies also use mobile data terminals or maps, which require additional skills training.<br />
-A core element of flexible public transportation services is a communication plan. A system may include how and when passengers communicate requests for service, whether requests can be negotiated, how drivers are dispatched, and whether other agencies participate in provision of service. <br />
+A core element of flexible public transportation services is a communication plan. A system may include how and when passengers communicate requests for service, whether requests can be negotiated, how drivers are dispatched, and whether other agencies participate in provision of service. A wide variety of options for requesting service are utilized, with some agencies requiring reservations while others allow nearly on-demand service. Dispatching requests to the driver is largely done through two-way radio, although some agencies use cell phones or mobile data terminals. Agencies may also employ automated vehicle location (AVL) as a tool for both operation and consumer information.
+===Examples of Flexible Service in California===
-A wide variety of options for requesting service are utilized, with some agencies requiring reservations while others allow nearly on-demand service. Dispatching requests to the driver is largely done through two-way radio, although some agencies use cell phones or mobile data terminals. Agencies may also employ automated vehicle location (AVL) as a tool for both operation and consumer information.
+* [http://www.omnitrans.org/ Omnitrans], serving the San Bernardino Valley region, is cited as a participant in the study which supports TCRP Report 140 <ref> Transit Cooperative Research Program. [http://www.tcrponline.org/PDFDocuments/TCRP_RPT_140.pdf "A Guide for Planning and Operating Flexible Public Transportation Services."] 2010. Page 82.</ref>. Omnitrans utilizes both Zone Routes and a Demand-Responsive Connector under the brand OmniLink to make connections to its fixed-route system.
 === References ===
 <references />