by Jaelen Loche | Sep 6, 2008 |
Authors: Susan A. Shaheen, Ph.D. and Caroline J. Rodier, Ph.D. Date: September 2008 Abstract: Access from public transit stations to employment and home locations can be a significant barrier to public transportation use in many urban regions, which is also commonly known as the “first and last mile” problem. The EasyConnect field test operated from August 2005 to December 2006 to introduce shared-use electric bicycles, non-motorized bicycles, and Segway® Human Transporters (HTs) to employment centers in and around the Pleasant Hill BART District stations. EasyConnect linked 36 employees of 14 companies at the Contra Costa Centre and Fresenius Medical. Contra Costa Centre took over the management of the EasyConnect program, which is now called “Green Fleet” and is operating an expanded and upgraded fleet of Segway HTs, electric bicycles, and bikes. Although the EasyConnect program was initially designed to bridge the barriers to access from public transit stations to employment locations, the results of the field test indicated higher participation demand by Day Users (e.g., lunch, business meetings, errands) rather than by commuters. This may have been a function of the institutional support available for the program in the area. The Contra Costa Centre, which is walking distance from the Pleasant Hill BART station, was able to provide significantly more support to the program relative to employers and business centers further away from the station. The availability of the low-speed modes for Day Use at the Contra Costa Centre, however, may have allowed for a higher level of public transit use and carpool commuting. Even without accounting for such mode shifts, the evaluation results indicate net benefits for both...
by Jaelen Loche | Jun 1, 2006 |
Authors: Susan A. Shaheen, Ph.D. and Caroline Rodier, Ph.D. Date: June 2006 Abstract: The EasyConnect Low-Speed Modes Linked to Transit Planning Project (TO 5113) project represents the integration of innovative strategies to enhance transit use during the development and construction of a suburban transit oriented development at the Pleasant Hill Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) District station in the East San Francisco Bay Area. This planning project brings together a unique partnership including small technology businesses, transportation agencies, city and county government, and academia. The project components include the introduction of shared-use low speed mode vehicles and electronic lockers at the proposed TOD. The evaluation of the EasyConnect field operational test (TO 6113-the next phase of this initiative) will provide insights into whether the introduction and integration of low-speed modes and elockers at the Pleasant Hill BART station can significantly increase transit access/use and cost effectively provide a last mile solution...
by Jaelen Loche | Jul 1, 2005 |
Authors: Susan A. Shaheen, Ph.D., Caroline J. Rodier, Ph.D., and Joshua Seelig Dates: July 2005 Abstract: The integration of innovative technologies with traditional modal options in transit oriented developments (TODs) may be the key to providing the kind of high-quality transit service that can effectively compete with the automobile in suburban transit corridors. The EasyConnect II project represents a multi-technology integration of innovative strategies planned to enhance transit use during the development and construction of a suburban TOD at the Pleasant Hill Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) District station in the East San Francisco Bay Area. The project team represents a unique partnership including small technology businesses, private developers, transportation agencies, city and county government, and academia. The project components include the introduction of shared-use low-speed mode vehicles, smart parking management systems, electronic lockers, and power supplied by a hydrogen fuel cell at the proposed TOD. The various technologies will seamlessly be linked over the Internet in formats accessible to both end-users and project planners. The evaluation of the proposed study will provide insight into whether the introduction and integration of innovative technologies at TODs can significantly increase transit access and use. If the innovations introduced in this study prove successful, then their application could be expanded throughout the region, California, and the nation....
by Jaelen Loche | Jul 31, 2003 |
Authors: Susan A. Shaheen, Caroline J. Rodier, and Amanda M. Eaken Date: Summer 2003 Abstract: To evaluate the potential for low-speed modes to improve transit access, the EasyConnect field test will offer shared-use Segway Human Transporters(HT), electric bicycles, and bicycles linked to a Bay Area Rapid Transit District station surrounding employment centers in California. Because of safety concerns, research was conducted to understand the risks associated with these modes and potential risk factors. A review of the safety literature indicates that user error is the major cause of low-speed mode crashes, and significant risk factors are poor surface conditions and obstruction to drivers’ vision. As a result, an extensive training program and carefully selected routes have been included in the field test. The regulatory and legislative history of the HT is chronicled to understand how concerns about its interaction with pedestrians have produced legislation that includes specific safety requirements. The low-speed modes used in this project will be equipped with safety devices, and participants will be required to wear helmets. The survey results of 13 HT implementation projects provide insight into potential advantages and challenges to the field test. Results of interviews and meetings with field test stakeholders are presented with a discussion of their influence on the field test design. Finally, conclusions and future project steps are discussed....
