Analytical models for comparison of alternative service options for the transportation handicapped

Abstract

Recently much debate has been generated over the issue of public transportation service for the transportation handicapped. In particular, older rapid rail systems have been required to make key stations accessible to the handicapped. However, a waiver of this requirement is permitted in cities where the handicapped community and local officials work out an alternative service system with equal or better station accessibility. In this context, it is the purpose of this paper to present a comparative analysis of a door-to-door demand responsive system and feeder/fixed-route service, two of the service options which are expected to represent acceptable alternatives to “key transit station accessibility” requirements. The comparisons evaluate alternative scenarios of doorstep accessible transportation for the transportation handicapped using analytical models. The results of the comparisons clearly indicate the relative advantage of door-to-door demand-responsive systems over the combination of a feeder and an existing fixed-route system. In particular, when compared to a feeder service, the direct door-to-door service is likely to be less costly, because it requires a smaller fleet and to provide a more desirable service, because it does not entail transfers.