ITS Technology Usage and Feasibility in Small Urban and Rural Transit

Abstract

Intelligent transportation system (ITS) applications have been widely applied to the highway system, and are being used by an increasing number of small urban and rural transit systems throughout the United States. The objectives of this study were to first, identify what technologies are currently used by small urban and rural transit agencies. Second, investigate the influence of community, agency, and manager attributes on technology adoption. Finally, evaluate the changes in ITS adoption among small urban and rural transit agencies today as compared to 10 years ago. When comparing technologies usage today to that of 10 years ago (Ripplinger and Brand-Sargent 2010), significant increases have occurred. Traveler information systems (TIS) technology usage has increased from 4% in 2010 to 34% among survey respondents today while electronic fare payment (EFP) increased from 2% in 2010 to 18% today. The largest single technology increase was seen in automatic vehicle location (AVL) usage that was 6% among survey respondents in 2010 and 51% today. Econometric analysis showed that hiring managers with more education and encouraging them to attend conferences and interact with ITS vendors may influence adoption of technologies by transit agencies. Results did not show that help from state DOTs or transit associations has been effective in encouraging technology adoption. This may suggest that help received, while useful, was not a contributing factor in adopting certain technologies. Finally, results can be used to identify which agencies could potentially benefit from certain technology adoptions.