Use Similar Vehicle Types for All User Groups in Automated Shuttle Services to Ensure Consistent Quality and Address Concerns About Service for Wheelchair Users.
Texas Study Interviewed Individuals with Disabilities Before and After Riding in the Automated Shuttle Service.
Arlington, Texas, United States
San Antoniio, Texas, United States
Automated Shuttles and Buses for All Users
Summary Information
Automated shuttles and buses have been piloted in downtown areas, university campuses, business and medical parks, and entertainment complexes across the US. This study focused on ensuring safe and equal access for individuals with disabilities, evaluating an automated shuttle service launched in March 2021 in Arlington, TX, and a Smart Intersection in College Station, TX. The automated shuttle service included five vehicles equipped with wheelchair ramps and tie-downs. Interviews were conducted with five individuals with disabilities and Texas A&M students using mobility devices to gather feedback. Enhancements were identified in planning, vehicles, operations, and infrastructure. Virtual and in-person workshops in June 2022 examined potential shuttle routes at Texas A&M campuses. The study aimed to develop guidelines to improve automated shuttles for individuals with mobility and visual impairments.
- Use similar vehicle types for all user groups in automated shuttle services. This is important to ensure consistent quality and address concerns about service for wheelchair users or visually impaired people, by, for example using onboard cameras, voice-activated assistance, and other approaches in case an attendant is not on board an automated shuttle.
- Seek active involvement of individuals with disabilities and organizations in identifying and addressing their needs and safety concerns throughout the planning process of the automated shuttle service. Focus could be on the mobility issues, needs, and problems to be solved by automated shuttles.
- Consider the needs of people with disabilities in the entire travel chain and their complete trip. Elements such as the conditions of sidewalks, curb
cuts, intersections, transit stops and stations, building access could be taken into consideration. - Continuously monitor and evaluate programs for automated shuttle services with specific measures related to use by people with disabilities. This could be achieved by using interviews, surveys, and other approaches to gain feedback from
disabled riders, including information on any safety concerns.
