Factors affecting paratransit travel times at route and segment levels

Abstract

Paratransit users have reportedly been unsatisfied with the quality of service that they receive. Efforts at replacing the service or formalizing operations to meet users’ mobility needs have faced challenges or outrightly resisted. Approaches such as providing travel information and deploying interventions along the roadway infrastructure where the government has authority have been suggested. Deploying any of these approaches will require insights from empirical data. The study considered a key measure of service quality to users and operators alike – Travel Time. It investigated factors affecting travel times of paratransit at the route and segment levels. A travel time survey that employed a mobile app (Trands) onboard paratransit vehicle was used to collect travel time, stop, and other related information on a selected route. The Backward Stepwise Regression technique was used to determine factors affecting paratransit travel times. Dwell time, signal delay, recurrent congestion index (RCI), non-trip stops, and deviation from route were significant variables at the route level. All the factors affecting segment travel times were also part of those involving route travel times except the segment length. Interestingly, deviation from the route increased overall travel time, which is against its logic. Insights gained from the study were used in suggesting proposals that can reduce travel time and improve the service quality of paratransit.