APPLICATION OF IVHS TECHNOLOGIES TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN RURAL AND SMALLER URBAN AREAS

Officials representing different public transportation services, including fixed-route bus, paratransit, ridesharing, and rural public transportation, participated in focus groups. They were asked to judge, in terms of their operations, the effectiveness of each APTS technology relative to its ability to achieve the specific goals of: (1) increasing demand; (2) reducing operating costs; and (3) increasing the comfort and convenience of users. Emerging from the sessions was the consensus for the demonstration and development of APTS concepts appropriate for the small-medium sized urban and rural areas. While lacking the volume of utilization found in larger metropolitan centers, these areas are replicated many times, thus providing large potential payback. The areas of major priority were electronic ticketing, HOV lanes, automated vehicle location and dispatching, and pre-trip information for choice riders.