Paratransit Agency Responses to the Adoption of Sub-contracted Services Using Secure Technologies

TL;DR

This study explores how U.S. transportation agencies view adopting sub-contracted paratransit services via secure technologies, highlighting concerns about accessibility and the need for better software solutions.

Contribution

It provides insights into agency opinions on secure technology use and partnership potential in sub-contracted paratransit services, an area with limited prior research.

Findings

Major concern: lack of wheelchair accessible vehicles in taxis and TNCs.

36% of agencies have not considered such partnerships.

Interest in privacy-preserving secure technologies and improved software solutions.

Abstract

Transportation agencies across the United States have the responsibility of providing transportation services for all travelers. Paratransit services which are designed to meet the needs of disabled travelers have been available to a certain extent for decades, but under the Americans with Disabilities Act mandate of 1990, uniform requirements were adopted across U.S. agencies. Most of these paratransit operators offer services which must be scheduled at least a day in advance. And, provision of these services by accessible busses is generally very expensive. Therefore, many agencies are considering sub-contracting some services to approved ride-hailing or taxi services. The purpose of this work is to examine the opinions of various public agencies with respect to the adoption of sub-contracted services through the use of secure technologies. Our research provides insight into the future of these partnerships. Agencies expressed interest in the use of privacy preserving secure technologies as well as a strong desire for better software solutions for paratransit passengers and operators. The on-line survey received thirty responses for a completion rate of 19.1%. Our primary findings are that a major concern of agencies for this sort of arrangement is the lack of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles offered by taxis and TNCs and about 36% of the surveyed agencies have not considered such partnerships.