Task Order 5113
Policy and Behavioral Research


EasyConnect Low-Speed Modes
Linked to Transit: Field Test & Evaluation

Dr. Susan Shaheen

California PATH

Summary

Like many regions in the Unites States, the Bay Area has an extensive transit system with networks of buses, light rail, and heavy rail extending to most major destinations. However, access (walking distance or parking) to transit stations limits the number of patrons that can effectively use the transit system. An effective demand-responsive, easy-to-use system that links home, work, and other activity destinations with transit stations could encourage greater transit use. The Segway Human Transporter (Segway HT) is one innovative device that could be part of such a system. Other promising low-speed options include electric bicycles and bicycles.

The initial phase of the project consisted of a research and feasibility analysis including:
  • Reviews of the literature on the safety of low-speed modes;
  • Chronicle of the regulatory and legislative history of the Segway HT;
  • Survey of selected pilot Segway HT implementation projects; and
  • Feasibility analysis of the field operational test (FOT).
The initial phase of this project also developed a research and feasibility analysis for the introduction of shared-use Segway HTs linked to a suburban Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) District station (Pleasant Hill) and employment centers. In the proposed field test researchers will compare the effectiveness of a new mode (the Segway HT), a technologically-enhanced mode (the electric bicycle), and a traditional mode (a regular bicycle). A comparative evaluation of the three will contribute significantly to an understanding of the context in which the different low-speed and electric modes may increase transit access most cost efficiently. The research evaluation will include before and after focus groups, interviews, and surveys.

Step 1: Field Test Deployment

The field test will occur at the Pleasant Hill BART station and will include evaluation components. There will be two primary user groups &mdash commuters who work close to the BART station and employee-based day users. A reservation system for using the Segway HT, electric bicycles, and bicycles will be developed by the research team to ensure that those using the device have received proper training. Safe storage of the devices at the BART station and at employment sites will be developed in conjunction with the rental vendor at BART.

Step 2: Interim User and Economic Analysis

Throughout the field test, the Segway HT, electric bicycles, and bicycles will be evaluated for their usefulness as connectivity devices to enhance transit, utility to employers for day use, and consumer reaction to the actual device. The assessment will include travel (mode choice and vehicle miles traveled) and societal effects as well as economic viability for the user and rental vendor. The research team will collect before and after data on user behavior using:
  1. questionnaires and travel diaries,
  2. focus groups and interviews,
  3. bystander surveys, and
  4. economic analyses.
Researchers will also conduct interim focus groups and/or interviews to obtain feedback on the field test and then fine-tune the demonstration based on this interim information.

Step 3: Prepare Final Report
In this final step, the research team will prepare a final report, describing the field test operations and technology, outlining critical institutional issues, and detailing the preliminary evaluation of the before and interim data.