INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY BENEFITS PARATRANSIT

This article gives an overview of advanced technology applications to paratransit systems. It describes how OUTREACH, a private, non-profit corporation, provides scheduling and vehicles to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA). OUTREACH uses an automated trip scheduling system (ATSS) and an automated vehicle location (AVL) system to enhance user services. The article describes how the ATSS books client rides, assigns these rides to vehicles, and informs clients of pick-up times. The AVL system monitors the real-time status of vehicle and passenger trips. Short-term and long-term scenarios describe the benefits achieved by using this system.