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Synthesis 161 (SG-19): Service Models for ADA Paratransit and Other DRT Services as Provided by Small and Midsize Transit Agencies
Session Date: Thursday, September 15, 2022
Session Time: 10:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Will Rodman, Research Scientist, Texas A&M Transportation Institute |
Presenter Biographical Statement |
| Focusing on improving access and mobility, Mr. Rodman has 43 years of research, consulting, technology and operations management experience in the public transportation industry. Mr. Rodman is a nationally recognized expert on paratransit, microtransit and all forms of demand-responsive transportation. This has included planning, designing, evaluating, and improving: • ADA and coordinated paratransit • On-demand microtransit and alternative services • Flex transit services Mr. Rodman’s expertise also includes the integrated use of taxis and transportation network companies (TNC) in paratransit; taxi and TNC-based subsidy programs, mobility management and Mobility as a Service (MaaS) services and technologies; and regional and statewide coordination strategies. He has led successful paratransit practices at Multisystems and Nelson\Nygaard and now heads the same for TTI’s Transit Mobility Program. Mr. Rodman has directed scores of ADA paratransit planning and national research projects; has assisted several transit agencies procure paratransit operations and call and control center contractors. He has also served an ADA paratransit subject matter expert for FTA compliance reviews and been the Principal Investigator on several TCRP studies that have focused on ADA paratransit services and other demand-responsive transportation services. Mr. Rodman has also developed regulations for taxis, livery services, and other private-for-hire services for several major US cities. Mr. Rodman’s operational experience includes implementing, managing, and providing corporate oversight for several paratransit brokerages and assisting with implementing several paratransit operations and call and control center management contracts. He also founded and served as Executive Director of one of the first regional non-profit ridesharing agencies in the US. He has been a guest lecturer on access and mobility issues for graduate school courses on transportation policy at the University of Pennsylvania, Tufts University and more recently, Northeastern University. At the request of the Governor of Massachusetts, Mr. Rodman also served on the Massachusetts Paratransit Commission. |
Presentation Abstract |
| Most small to midsize transit agencies that provide ADA paratransit and/or other demand responsive transportation services perform all day-to-day functions in house or through a sole turnkey contractor. TCRP Synthesis SG-19 was commissioned to research the OTHER ways in which small to midsize transit agencies are providing such services so that such agencies can learn from these experiences. Synthesis SG-19 identifies and provides case study examples of a variety of different service models used to provide ADA complementary paratransit services, coordinated paratransit services, alternative services for ADA paratransit customers, general public dial-a-ride services, microtransit and flex transit. The synthesis also illustrates how the different service models for each of these different service types effectively meet the growing demands for these services, and in many cases, how changing the service model led to cost savings. Another important finding of this synthesis is that many small and midsize transit agencies have embraced the concept of mobility management and, through a “family-of-service” approach, are providing different types of demand responsive transportation services to meet different needs within the community in different areas and at different times. And in several cases, discussed in the synthesis, these agencies are using different service models for the different services, rather than trying to “do it all” with one service platform. Will Rodman of Texas A&M's Transportation Institute served as the Principal Investigator for this research effort and will be the presenter. The presentation will include the primary findings and conclusions from the targeted survey of 20 small to midsize transit agencies and the 11 case studies. The presentation is aimed at General Managers, Planners and Paratransit Managers at small or midsize transit agencies as well as practitioners who help such agencies. Download Abstract |
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