Abstract
This paper presents the partial results of the first phases of the BOOLEAN (Bürgerorientierte Optimierung der Leistungsfähigkeit, Effizienz und Attraktivität im Nahverkehr) research project. The demand-responsive transport and operating systems as well as virtual vehicle concepts are developed in a “real-world laboratory” in Schorndorf. The demand-responsive transport system is implemented as a part of the existing public transport system and will be tested for nine months. The paper focuses on the derivation of system requirements for the operating system and vehicle concepts. The virtual vehicle concepts developed within the project are specifically designed according to the needs of demand-responsive transport systems and are based on automation technologies and electric propulsion. An inter- and transdisciplinary approach integrates perspectives from the social, technical and computer sciences and various local stakeholders (operators, municipality, politics and citizens of a medium sized town in Southern Germany). Transformative processes are induced, supported and scrutinized during and beyond the pilot phase.
Highlights
Transport systems in urban areas are facing increasing challenges regarding congestion, air quality, greenhouse gas emission, noise emission and individual motorized traffic’s enduring persistence.Public transport should be further improved in order to meet these challenges
While the development of demand-responsive transport (DRT) systems has often focused on areas with very high population densities or rural areas [2,3], it often neglects medium and small municipalities and their specific challenges regarding fluctuating passenger numbers and commuter traffic to urban centers
Differing from existing similar approaches for DRT systems, the system developed for Differing from existing similar approaches for DRT systems, the system developed for Schorndorf
Summary
Transport systems in urban areas are facing increasing challenges regarding congestion, air quality, greenhouse gas emission, noise emission and individual motorized traffic’s enduring persistence. While the development of demand-responsive transport (DRT) systems has often focused on areas with very high population densities (i.e., inner city centers [1]) or rural areas [2,3], it often neglects medium and small municipalities and their specific challenges regarding fluctuating passenger numbers and commuter traffic to urban centers. The possibilities for improving conventional public transport by increased temporal and spatial availability are limited by economic and ecological constraints resulting from low occupancy factors. World Electric Vehicle Journal 2018, 9, 4 increased temporal and spatial availability are limited by economic and ecological constraints resulting from low occupancy factors. Occupancy tends to be low in sparsely populated areas, especially in off-peak periods. The paper is structured into a section addressingthe theoperation operationsystem systemand andaasecond secondsection section presenting details about the vehicle concept.
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