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On-Demand Microtransit
Session Date: Thursday, September 15, 2022
Session Time: 10:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Ryan Brumfield, Director, Integrated Mobility Division, N.C. Department of Transportation |
Presenter Biographical Statement |
| Ryan Brumfield is the Director of the Integrated Mobility Division at the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Rodger Lentz is the Chief Planning and Development Officer for the City of Wilson, North Carolina. Ross MacDonald is a Public Transit Manager at the Vermont Agency of Transportation. |
Presentation Abstract |
| In 2018, the National Academy of Sciences began researching critical issues in transportation, one of them being Transformational Technologies and Services. Listening sessions with transportation experts influenced the research. During an equity session, one expert asked how State DOTs could partner and utilize the private sector to achieve equity outcomes in geographic areas that were typically underfunded due to weak market incentives. This insightful and important commentary contributed significantly to the Critical Issues in Transportation 2019 report (2018), so much so that the researchers refined the statement even further under Transformational Technologies and Services: “What and where are the opportunities for demand-responsive, app-based services to complement or link with conventional transit services, while also ensuring that the mobility disadvantaged are adequately served”? (p.7) Three State DOTs, Michigan, North Carolina, and Vermont are exploring this research topic further through practical applications in their respective municipalities. Each state has launched at least one on-demand microtransit pilot program in partnership with a private sector technology company. The cities of Wilson, NC, Montpelier, VT, Grand Rapids, MI and Battle Creek, MI have all experienced first-hand the inefficiencies of traditional modes of public transit like fixed-bus routes, and the financial and operational constraints of Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) in rural and small-urban areas. By partnering with private sector companies, they are striving to improve service, quality, access, and ridership experience, while also attempting to integrate these new on-demand microtransit technologies into the existing infrastructure. While the motivations for each municipality are similar, their approach to utilizing and partnering with private sector companies varies by implementation. Wilson implemented a Transportation-as-a-Service (TaaS) model, otherwise known as a turn-key contract. The private sector company operates the service, ensures compliance with state and federal standards, and supplies the vehicles, equipment, software, phone support, and drivers. In contrast, Montpelier, Battle Creek and Grand Rapids implemented a Software-as-a-Service (Saas) model. The private sector company provides the technology, operating system and mobile application, but the transportation agency provides the fleet, drivers, and operations team. All programs are collecting similar performance metrics, such as wait times, ridership numbers, and fare pricing to name a few. Some findings from completed programs have demonstrated reduced wait times, low fare pricing, and overall positive public perception and use. While other programs are still ongoing, they have also demonstrated similar initial findings. The purpose of this abstract and ultimately, the subsequent paper and presentation is to synthesize the findings and to share lessons learned and best practices using the pilots as case studies. These insights from the pilot programs can serve as foundational resources for other State DOTs and municipalities that are looking to implement similar partnerships and programs in their respective areas, particularly those that are low-density and historically disadvantaged. The need for public transit that is easily accessible, affordable, flexible, and equitable to all is an on-going critical issue. On-Demand Public Microtransit may be one of these solutions. Download Abstract |
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