Foursquare ITP helped HRT research the benefits and drawbacks of different service operating models, identifying and prioritizing zones where microtransit would be a suitable service, estimating the cost-of-service provision, and designing zone profiles. HRT wanted to better understand the benefits and drawbacks of different service operating models, identify and prioritize zones where microtransit would be a suitable service, and estimate the cost of microtransit service provision in these zones. The results of this effort will feed into HRT’s ongoing 10-year transit strategic plan (TSP) and its System Optimization Plan (SOP).
Foursquare ITP analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of various microtransit operating models and documented the applicable use cases, contexts, and cost effectiveness. Our research and analysis built upon our existing body of work and knowledge of case examples from other agencies, as we have interviewed many agencies already to gather information on the most common advantages and drawbacks of each service model.
We developed zone profiles that are tailored with information pertinent to HRT and meaningful to both microtransit customers and stakeholders. The zone profiles were highly stylized, graphical, and appropriate for public use. The results of this effort will be leveraged for HRT’s next TSP and the SOP.
Solutions and Outcomes
- Analyzed the characteristics of common service delivery models for microtransit service.
- Outlined zone identification and evaluation methodology and a prioritized list of the zones.
- Developed a zone profile for up to ten microtransit zones that includes a zone map with key points of interest, details from the suitability and demand analyses, key service characteristics, and other zone characteristics.
- Estimated vehicle requirements for identified zones.