A propossal for the evaluation of deamnd-adaptive transit systems

Demand-adaptive transit systems (DAS) display features of both traditional fixed-line bus services and purely on-demand systems, that is, they offer demand- responsive services within the framework of traditional scheduled bus transportation. Similarly to most transportation systems dedicated to serve several demands with the same vehicle, demand-adaptive transit systems involve a complex set of planning activities made up of many interrelated decisions. The main steps and goals of the planning activities are the same for traditional and demand-adaptive transit systems. Yet, the particularities of DAS services make for a different planning process and require the development of new methodologies. This differentiation also impacts the evaluation processes of DAS lines, either as stand-alone systems or as part of broader city-wide planning activities. The goal of this paper is to identify these differences, describe their impact on evaluation and planning processes, and provide a framework for the evaluation of DAS lines.