Measuring Access to Transit Service in Rural Transit Systems

(PI: Chandra Bhat)

Demand response transit (DRT) is a critical form of transportation for mobility-impaired, low-income, elderly, and rural populations in Texas. Unfortunately, Texas’ 39 rural transit providers, which serve over 3.5 million people, contend with many challenges in providing service to these populations. As populations in these rural communities grow over the next decade, these challenges will be amplified, potentially resulting in reduced mobility and stunted economic growth. Recently, researchers at The University of Texas at Austin developed the DRT Accessibility Tool for the Texas Department of Transportation to assist Texas rural transit providers in determining how well a DRT system serves its riders and the most efficient ways service can be improved. This project seeks to support Texas’ rural transit providers in implementing the DRT Accessibility Tool and identifying specific methods for improving patron service. Specifically, the research team will develop GIS-based accessibility resources for five selected Texas rural transit providers (composed of comprehensive service area maps and ready-to apply versions of the DRT Accessibility Tool) as well as a recommendations report that can be used by all demand response transit providers in Texas to practically and cost-effectively improve patron-accessibility. The tasks involved in this project include indentifying participant transit providers, collecting and assembling available data, generating region-specific maps and tools, conduct a DRT accessibility sensitivity analysis, and identifying final recommendations.