The Potential Role of Flexible Transport Services in Enhancing Rural Public Transport Provision

Velaga, Nagendra R.; Nelson, John D.; Wright, Steven D.; Farrington, John

doi:10.5038/2375-0901.15.1.7

Cited by 81 publications

(56 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…A survey by Koffman [2] implied that most flexible transit services are provided without service planning or design guidelines. The investigation by Velaga et al [3] in rural Scotland also confirmed the dilemma in the planning and implementation of specific flexible transit programs. When planners design such systems, they are not sure whether to adopt a fixed-route policy or a flex-route policy in a specific service, and the "switch" between the two policies still puzzles transit operators during daily operation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 83%

“…In their operating environment, all door-to-door demands can be accepted and served without considering the constraint of a predetermined slack time. The work by Velaga et al [3] confirmed that one of the challenges in providing flexible transit services is that the varying travel demand in low-demand areas is difficult to predict. In addition, in practical use, demand responsive connectors generally require a fixed schedule [2], which is usually designed for the coordination of the major transit and the feeder transit.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A methodology for choosing between fixed‐route and flex‐route policies for transit services

Qiu

Haghani

2014

J of Advced Transportation

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Summary Flex‐route transit brings together the low cost operability of fixed‐route transit with the flexibility of demand responsive transit, and in recent years, it has become the most popular type of flexible transit service. In this paper, a methodology is proposed to help planners make better decisions regarding the choice between a conventional fixed‐route and a flex‐route policy for a specific transit system with a varying passenger demand. A service quality function is developed to measure the performance of transit systems, and analytical modeling and simulations are used to reproduce transit operation under the two policies. To be closer to reality, two criteria are proposed depending on the processing of rejected requests in the assessment of the service quality function for flex‐route services. In various scenarios, critical demand densities, which represent the switching points between the two competing policies, are derived in a real‐world transit service according to the two criteria. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 83%

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

A methodology for choosing between fixed‐route and flex‐route policies for transit services

Qiu

Haghani

2014

J of Advced Transportation

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“…Among these, route deviation is by far the most common form (up to 63.9%), while point deviation only accounts for 16%. One of the main factors 2 Journal of Advanced Transportation hindering the widespread use of point deviation service is the sophisticated support systems required to schedule the curb-to-curb requests [6]. However, with the rapid development of intelligent transportation systems, point deviation is becoming a promising operating policy from a long-term perspective.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Methodology for Choosing between Route Deviation and Point Deviation Policies for Flexible Transit Services

Zheng

Qiu

2018

Journal of Advanced Transportation

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Flexible transit services, which bring together the characteristics of fixed-route transit and demand-responsive transit, have been proven to be cost-efficient in low-density residential areas. In this paper, a methodology is proposed to assist planners in making better decisions when choosing between route deviation policy and point deviation policy, which are two promising types of flexible transit services. A user cost function is developed to measure the service quality of the transit systems, and analytical models are constructed to compare the system performance under both expected and unexpected demand levels. Based on the experiments for various scenarios over a real-life transit example, the critical demands, which represent the switching point between the two competing service policies, have been derived. Our findings show that point deviation policy is more efficient at low-demand levels, while route deviation policy is a better choice at low-to-moderate demand levels. At unexpectedly high demand levels, route deviation policy is better able to accommodate rejected passengers than point deviation policy.

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“…In the context of medical care this can apply to a transport of patients, whose destination is always the same single practice, central health center or hospital [44]. Since underage and elderly persons were identified as having major restrictions concerning rural mobility web based ride sharing could be a possible solution [45]. For this purpose the assumed substandard internet access of the elderly needs reflection.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mobility concepts and access to health care in a rural district in Germany: a mixed methods approach

et al. 2018

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BackgroundWestern countries are facing the challenges of an imminent shortage of physicians, especially general practitioners. As a consequence longer travel times to doctors’ practices may arise. This study aimed to investigate the mobility behavior of a rural population in terms of medical consultations.MethodsAn exploratory mixed-methods design was conducted in the Waldshut district of the federal state Baden-Württemberg in Germany. Focus groups and a single telephone-interview with representatives, occupationally affiliated with mobility in the district (e.g. representatives of public transport, nursing-services or the District Office Waldshut), were performed in 2016 and analyzed using Mayring’s structuring content analysis. A questionnaire based on the collected qualitative data was subsequently distributed to a random sample of 1000 adult inhabitants living in the Waldshut district. Quantitative data were analyzed employing descriptive statistics.ResultsQualitatively, four focus groups and one single telephone-interview with a total of 20 participants were performed. Therein the necessity of reaching a nearby general practitioner and the importance of individual motor traffic was emphasized. Novel mobility modes of ride sharing and telemedicine were controversially discussed as future transport and consultation options, respectively.Quantitatively, 277 questionnaires (27.7%) were valid and included in our analysis. Mean age was 51 years (SD = 18.5) and 58% (n = 160) were female. Irrespective of the mode of transport 60% (n = 166) expected to reach their general practitioner within 15 min. Using the possibility of multiple answers 47% (n = 192) stated to use a car in order to reach their general practitioner, public transport was used by 5% (n = 19). Nearly 80% (n = 220) could imagine sharing a car with well-known persons for consultations. Turning to a general practitioner via telemedicine was imaginable for 32% (n = 91).ConclusionsIndividual motor car traffic seems to be an important factor in providing accessibility to rural medical care. As a supplementation, web based ride sharing has economic and structural potential for reaching a doctor’s practice. However, familiarity and trustworthiness need to be guaranteed within this flexible transport mode. Furthermore, telemedicine may be a future approach in order to reduce travel time to a doctor’s practice.

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The Potential Role of Flexible Transport Services in Enhancing Rural Public Transport Provision

Abstract: Abstract

Cited by 81 publications

References 19 publications

A methodology for choosing between fixed‐route and flex‐route policies for transit services

A methodology for choosing between fixed‐route and flex‐route policies for transit services

A Methodology for Choosing between Route Deviation and Point Deviation Policies for Flexible Transit Services

Mobility concepts and access to health care in a rural district in Germany: a mixed methods approach

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