SERVICE AND METHODS DEMONSTRATIONS PROGRAM SUMMARY REPORT

This report summarizes the activities and accomplishments of the UMTA Service and Methods Demonstrations Program for FY 1979, 1980, and 1981. Overall program objectives, current activities, and future directions are briefly described. Current demonstration projects are identified in each of the four major program areas of conventional transit service innovations, pricing and service innovations, paratransit services, and transportation services for special user groups. In addition, ongoing program activities in the areas of evaluation methodology and information dissemination are discussed. This report also presents major new findings concerning the costs, impacts, and implementation considerations of the following innovative transportation service concepts: systemwide transit route restructuring, transit transfer policies, articulated bus, auto-restricted zones, transit fare prepayment strategies, free-fare transit, vanpooling, transportation brokerage, taxicab regulatory revisions, high-speed waterborne transit service, bicycle-transit integration, wheelchair accessible fixed-route bus service, door-to-door transit service for special users, user-side subsidies, coordination of social service agency transportation, special purpose transit services for inner-city residents, and rural public transportation. This information was obtained from detailed evaluations of SMD-sponsored demonstrations and case study analyses of locally initiated projects.\n