Safe, reliable, and affordable transportation services is vital for maximizing economic productivity and quality of life. High operational costs and limited funding of public transportation services are significant limitations in providing essential transportation services in rural and small urban areas. Providing non-mandated services to improve the mobility of people is not always possible in these regions. As such, research assessing how autonomous vehicle (AV)-supported mobility service delivery models could meet the needs of these communities is limited. This study therefore aims to develop AV-supported mobility service models in supporting travel demand of rural communities.
Universities Involved
West Virginia University
Principal Investigators
Dr. Dimitra Pyrialakou
Funding Sources and Amounts
USDOT: $100,000
Start Date
September 1, 2023
Completion Date
July 1, 2025
Expected Research Outcomes & Impacts
This study performs transformative research by conducting a robust analysis of the planning and development of new innovative AV-supported mobility services for rural communities that could transform the availability of mobility services for these communities. The developed new mobility service models could be adopted by other jurisdictions considering their unique local mobility scenarios. Policymakers and service providers can use the developed service models considering the regional/local demand and estimate the model’s financial and economic feasibility to improve mobility service availability, promote economic opportunities, and improve quality of life.
Subject Areas
Connected and Automated Vehicles, Rural Transit, Mobility