Efficiency and Effectiveness Impacts of a Computer-Assisted Scheduling and Dispatching System Implementation

Computer-assisted scheduling and dispatch (CASD) systems have been implemented in many paratransit systems in the United States to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of operations. This paper contributes to the limited literature of studies documenting the impact of such systems on paratransit operations based on the implementation of such a system in a small city in Illinois. The analysis provides evidence of small but measurable efficiency and effectiveness gains. This paper also provides evidence that proper CASD evaluation efforts should allow enough time after implementation so that not only familiarity with the system has been established, but also most or all of the necessary organizational changes related to the new technology have been completed

Efficiency and Effectiveness Impacts of a Computer-Assisted Scheduling and Dispatching System Implementation

Computer-assisted scheduling and dispatch (CASD) systems have been implemented in many paratransit systems in the United States to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of operations. This paper contributes to the limited literature of studies documenting the impact of such systems on paratransit operations based on the implementation of such a system in a small city in Illinois. The analysis provides evidence of small but measurable efficiency and effectiveness gains. This paper also provides evidence that proper CASD evaluation efforts should allow enough time after implementation so that not only familiarity with the system has been established, but also most or all of the necessary organizational changes related to the new technology have been completed

Effects of Whistle-Blowing Bans on Accidents at Gated Rail-Highway Crossings: The Northeastern Illinois Experience

This paper examines the effect of whistle-blowing bans on accidents at gated rail-highway public crossings in the Chicago metropolitan region. The statistical analysis show that it is rather misleading to unconditionally associate whistle bans with accident incidence and higher collision frequencies of rail-highway crossings while ignoring other factors or combinations of factors that are probably more relevant to the operational characteristics of the crossings. A deeper one delves into the interactive effects of crossing-specific characteristics on the number of accidents, the more the impact of individual factors becomes confounded so that interaction effects may even negate the effects of individual factors

Statewide Intercity Passenger Transportation in Illinois

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all areas of life in the United States. For travel, the changes have been vast, whether for private vehicle use or public transit use. For the intercity bus industry, the pandemic changed operations in meaningful ways that have yet to return to previous levels \u2013 whether on the service or the demand side. This study set out to measure both the supply and the demand for intercity routes; however, the fluctuations in supply levels made that virtually impossible to quantify. This study does, however, provide an overview of the history and current funding processes for intercity bus questions while performing modeling that shows where the greatest demand is for intercity bus services, both entirely within the State of Illinois and for routes that leave the state\u2019s borders. This study also provides considerable information about how feeder services improve connectivity to longer intercity bus routes, on a county-by-county level. This study also interviews other state DOTs to gain insight into their use of 5311(f) intercity bus funding that the Federal Transit Administration provides. The industry at the moment is plagued by increasing costs, shortages of staff, and funding levels that have not kept up with those increasing costs. Due to a perceived difficulty in procuring this funding from the State of Illinois, some providers have avoided attempting to utilize this funding in Illinois entirely, choosing to pursue providing service in other states, some of which provide additional services to intercity bus operators. Investments in intercity bus marketing could also assist efforts to move passengers around the state

Ridership and Revenue Implications of Free Fares for Seniors in Northeastern Illinois

This paper reports on the ridership and revenue impacts for transit providers of a short-lived Seniors Free Ride Program in the Chicago metropolitan area. The discussion presents survey-free and survey-based approaches specifically developed to capture such effects during the program implementation. The analysis shows that instituting a free fare policy for seniors expectedly increased the demand for and associated costs of providing the service. In particular, the program had attracted approximately 75 percent additional senior rides at an associated cost of between $26.1 and$78.6 million. The Illinois legislature modified the program in 2011 to run as a means-tested program partially because of cost considerations. However, the methodology presented remains relevant for existing and future fare-free programs

Deployment Strategies for Paratransit Computer-Assisted Scheduling and Dispatching Systems: Results from a Focus Group in Illinois

The level of realized positive impacts from computer-assisted scheduling and dispatching (CASD) systems depends on the specifics of each implementation plan and the overall deployment strategy that is contemplated early in the procurement process. Moreover, with increasing numbers of local CASD system implementations, state departments of transportation have only recently realized the need to incorporate feedback from paratransit providers in developing statewide strategies regarding future deployments of such systems. While considering the variety of needs of Illinois paratransit operators, this paper develops three different CASD deployment scenarios: a centralized, a decentralized, and a regional deployment. The consensus from a focus group was that a hybrid approach that combines the strengths of the decentralized and regional approaches should be further pursued. The total cost of ownership for the preferred alternatives is also developed

Trip chains: Theoretical development and empirical analysis.

Trip chains: Theoretical development and empirical analysis

Planning for Bus-on-Shoulders Operations in Northeastern Illinois: A Survey of Stakeholders

Operating public buses on urban highway shoulders is a strategy being explored as a means to fight congestion and attract more riders to public transit. However, little information is available about the institutional and legal issues, project development process, costs, and performance of such operations. Results are presented of a study undertaken in northeastern Illinois to examine these preliminary but important issues, which must be addressed to the satisfaction of a diverse group of stakeholders. Findings from a survey of core stakeholders are reported. Concerns and possible resolutions that can be used to engage a larger group of stakeholders at a later time in the planning phase are documented

Pedestrian/Bicyclist Warning Devices and Signs at Highway-Rail and Pathway-Rail Grade Crossings

Federal reporting shows a relatively constant number of pedestrian and bicycle fatalities at highway-rail and pathway-rail grade crossings over the past 10 years. This is in contrast to a marked decrease in train–vehicle collisions at highway-rail crossings. Although engineering solutions and education and enforcements initiatives have been proposed and implemented, little is known about their effectiveness to mitigate such incidents. This study reports on findings from the literature, discussions with professionals in the public and private sectors involved in safety at rail grade crossings, and pedestrian/non-motorized user behavior and attitudes toward safety at such crossings. The study highlights the multitude of factors related to pedestrian safety in this context and provides an informed discussion for stakeholders to advance safety initiatives.Illinois Department of Transportation R27-96published or submitted for publicationnot peer reviewe