Use of Innovative Technologies in Transit and Mobility

End of Summer 2020 Virtual MeetingAASHTO Multistate Transit Technical Assistance

Program

September 3, 2020

Murat Omay and Rik OpsteltenFederal Transit Administration

Office of Research, Demonstration, and Innovation (TRI-10)

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COVID-19 Recovery Approach• FTA has a leading role in supporting economic recovery

through four primary approaches:

– Provide proactive technical assistance to help transit agencies support the phased reopening of local economies

– Facilitate acquisition of personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies to protect transit employees and passengers

– Continue to provide Federal funding to support transit operations and economic recovery

– Identify additional administrative and regulatory relief to support transit operations and economic recovery

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FTA’s COVID-19 Recovery Resources• FTA COVID-19 Recovery Discussion Forum:

https://usdot.uservoice.com/forums/930736-fta-covid-19-recovery-discussion-forum

• FTA COVID-19 Resource Tool: https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-programs/safety/fta-covid-19-resource-tool

• FAQ from FTA Grantees Regarding COVID-19: https://www.transit.dot.gov/frequently-asked-questions-fta-grantees-regarding-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19

• FTA COVID-19 Recovery Listening Sessions: https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-programs/safety/fta-covid-19-recovery-listening-sessions

•

https://usdot.uservoice.com/forums/930736-fta-covid-19-recovery-discussion-forumhttps://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-programs/safety/fta-covid-19-resource-toolhttps://www.transit.dot.gov/frequently-asked-questions-fta-grantees-regarding-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-programs/safety/fta-covid-19-recovery-listening-sessions

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COVID-19 Recovery Listening

Sessions• As part of technical assistance efforts, FTA will facilitate

listening sessions to share effective practices in place at US transit agencies and foster peer exchange

• Upcoming Sessions

– September 2020 - Managing Vehicles and Facilities in a New Service Environment

– October 2020 - Innovations in Restoring Passenger Confidence and Managing COVID-19 Operational Considerations

– November 2020 - Value-Added Services for Public Transportation as Communities Recover

– December 2020 - Understanding and Addressing Changing Rider Needs

FTA Office of Research, Demonstration, and Innovation

• TRI-10 – Office of Mobility Innovation Programs– Mobility on Demand (MOD)– Integrated Mobility Innovation (IMI)– Accelerating Innovative Mobility (AIM)– Mobility Payment Integration (MPI)– Strategic Transit Automation Research (STAR) – Accessible Transportation Technologies Research Initiative (ATTRI)

• TRI-20 Office of Infrastructure and Safety Innovation Programs– Bus Testing Program– Low or No-Emission (Low-No) Bus and Vehicle Component Assessment

Programs– Safety Research and Demonstration Program– Transit Bus Operator Compartment Program– Real-Time Transit Infrastructure and Rolling Stock Condition Assessment

Research and Demonstration Program– Transit Vehicle Innovation Deployment Centers

• TRI Website: https://www.transit.dot.gov/about/research-innovation

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https://www.transit.dot.gov/about/research-innovation

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Innovations Supporting COVID-19 Recovery• COVID-19 recovery and mobility innovations are closely linked

– For example, Mobility Performance Metrics will help “redefine” value

– AIM and IMI Projects will test several technological solutions such as:

• Cashless and contactless payment options

• Integrated payment or other payment technology innovations such as mobile payment and ticketing options

• Incentivization approaches to increase effectiveness and efficiency of transit

• Innovative scheduling mechanisms to encourage and achieve social distancing

• Provision of real-time information to reduce crowding

• Use of technology for contact tracing

• Service improvements strategies including vehicle design

• Bike network planning to encourage alternative transportation modes

• Impact assessment through scenario planning, modeling, and simulation

• Technology integration for right-sizing through partnership models

TRI-10 Research and Interprogram

Activities

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Mobility Payment

Integration (MPI)

Strategic Transit

Automation Research

(STAR)

ATTRI

Integrated Mobility

Innovation (IMI)

Other Programs

and Activities

Accelerating Innovative Mobility

(AIM)Mobility

Performance Metrics (MPM)

Innovation and Knowledge

Accelerator (IKA)

MOD Sandbox Demos and Evaluations

Standards and Policies

Stakeholder Engagement and

Outreach

Interprogram Activities

Mobility Innovation

and Complete

Trip

The Complete Trip - Our Defining Vision

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Mobility on Demand• Mobility on Demand is one of the mature programs at TRI-10

• There were 11 demonstration projects selected in 2016 –final project and evaluation reports are published on FTA website (https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/fta-reports-and-publications)

• The evaluation reports provide information on the demonstration projects’ data, results, and lessons learned

https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/fta-reports-and-publications

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MOD Example Project - DART• This project facilitated collaboration with a microtransit

provider and Transportation Network Company (TNC) to provide more transit trip choices for riders in a low-density area that was difficult to serve

• In general, the system achieved most of its goals:

– increased ridership

– lower cost per passenger

– more efficient travel and wait times

– expanded area served by transit

– improved customer satisfaction

• The report can be found at https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/2020-05/FTA-Report-No.-0164.pdf

https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/2020-05/FTA-Report-No.-0164.pdf

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MOD Example Project - DART• The use of the technology demanded a change in the transit

environment, travelers’ perspectives about technology and its use, and a strong backup support system to continue operation

– Required intensive marketing campaigns with designated costs and incentives, and provision of robust backup systems

• Integrating with other travel options was a challenge, because it was competing with private-sector providers that did not have policy limitations like DART (such as location of service delivery and background check prerequisites)

– Required policy modifications and harmonization such as policy agreement for data-sharing and service policy agreements (e.g., payment and technology changes for TNC partnership with DART)

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Innovative Mobility Integration (IMI)• 25 Projects in 23 States for a total of $23MM

• Combines MOD, STAR, MPI, and other supporting program objectives into a single portfolio to enable cross-pollination of integrative technology, operational, service, business, and partnership solutions

• Demonstrates innovative technologies, applications, practices, and/ or service models that can lead to:– more efficient public transportation service

– better mobility for individuals

– enhance the overall rider experience, with a special emphasis on innovative service delivery models, creative financing, novel partnerships, and integrated payment solutions

• List of projects and brief descriptions: https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/integrated-mobility-innovation-imi-fiscal-year-2019-selected-projects

https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/integrated-mobility-innovation-imi-fiscal-year-2019-selected-projects

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Accelerating Innovative Mobility (AIM)• 25 Projects in 24 States and 1 Territory for a total of $17MM

• Provides funding for challenge grants to help transit agencies experiment with new ways of doing business, such as exploring new service models that provide more efficient and frequent service

• Launches AIM Incubator Program for:– knowledge sharing requirement of projects

– Building industry understanding and responsiveness

– leveraging FTA Technical Assistance investments

• List of projects and brief descriptions: https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/fy20-accelerating-innovative-mobility-aim-project-selections

https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/fy20-accelerating-innovative-mobility-aim-project-selections

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Accessible Transportation Technologies

Research Initiative (ATTRI)

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How can you be more involved in ATTRI?

• Follow the forthcoming Industry Forum

• Read the report Online Dialogue for Complete Trips: Barriers and Solutions (https://ideascale.com/userimages/accounts/90/909643/BarriersandSolutionstoCompleteTripsforAllNationalOnlineDialogueSummary.pdf)

• Participate in the Online Dialogue for AVs Driving Employment for People with Disabilities (https://transportationinnovation.ideascale.com/)

• Follow the Prototype Demonstrations (http://www.its.dot.gov/research_areas/attri/index.htm)

• Talk to us about future Strategic Partnership Opportunities (e.g., City of Portland, DC DOT, City of Pittsburgh, City of Chattanooga)

• Partner with others for the Complete Trips-ITS4US Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) (https://its.dot.gov/its4us/)

• Follow the FTA mobility innovation initiatives, e.g., Integrated Mobility Innovation (IMI) (https://cms7.fta.dot.gov/IMI), Accelerating Innovative Mobility (AIM) (https://www.transit.dot.gov/AIM)

https://ideascale.com/userimages/accounts/90/909643/BarriersandSolutionstoCompleteTripsforAllNationalOnlineDialogueSummary.pdfhttps://transportationinnovation.ideascale.com/http://www.its.dot.gov/research_areas/attri/index.htmhttps://its.dot.gov/its4us/https://cms7.fta.dot.gov/IMIhttps://www.transit.dot.gov/AIM

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FTA TRI-10 Contacts

Gwo-Wei-TorngDirector (TRI-10)Gwo-Wei.Torng@dot.gov

Danyell DiggsDanyell.Diggs@dot.gov

Christina GikakisChristina.Gikakis@dot.gov

Brian JacksonBrian.Jackson@dot.gov

Justin JohnJustin.John@dot.gov

Steve MortensenSteven.Mortensen@dot.gov

Murat OmayMurat.Omay@dot.gov

Rik OpsteltenHendrik.Opstelten@dot.gov

mailto:Gwo-Wei.Torng@dot.govmailto:Danyell.Diggs@dot.govmailto:Christina.Gikakis@dot.govmailto:Brian.Jackson@dot.govmailto:Justin.John@dot.govmailto:Steven.Mortensen@dot.govmailto:Hendrik.Opstelten@dot.govmailto:Hendrik.Opstelten@dot.gov