Development of a Microsimulation Analysis Tool for Paratransit Patron Accessibility in Small and Medium Communities

Abstract

Paratransit is a critical form of transportation for mobility-impaired, low-income, and small and medium-sized communities. Paratransit systems face many challenges that restrict how well they can serve their communities, including limited funding, aging fleets, limited to no service standard assessments, and few practical modeling and planning practices. This paper discusses a transferable paratransit microsimulation analysis tool for patron accessibility designed to address these challenges. The tool calculates paratransit patron accessibility (defined as paratransit patrons’ perceived ease of access to reach desired activities and destinations) by simulating and measuring daily paratransit patron travel patterns on the basis of service fleet and region information. The tool further allows providers to evaluate patron accessibility for any combination of population groups, travel purposes, and times of day. Transit providers can use the tool to determine how well paratransit patrons are served and the most efficient ways to improve service. The microsimulation framework, including the system of simulation models, the supporting data, and application to Brownsville, Texas, are described in detail.