Citation

Flusberg M, Menhard HR, Walker JM. Transp. Res. Rec. 1979; 724: 22-29.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1979, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A study that involved a systematic attempt to estimate all of the potential impacts of a range of integrated transit-paratransit options in a variety of settings is reported. The study concluded that, in some but not all instances, the benefits of integrated paratransit--in terms of improved service levels and mobility, reduced automobile expenditures, and other impacts--may justify system deficits. Necessary conditions for this include (a) high paratransit productivity, which could possibly be achieved by implementing hybrid fixed-route and demand-responsive service (such as checkpoint many-to-many), and (b) low operating costs, which might be achieved by contracting with private operators. Integrated paratransit was found to have a positive but insignificant impact on automobile use and ownership and no measurable impact on vehicle kilometers of travel, fuel consumption, or emissions. Areas that have population density of 1160-2300 persons/sq km (3000-6000 persons/sq mile) and limited existing transit service are promising locations for implementation of integrated paratransit service.