1. Additional Trip Planning Prospects for GTFS Flex
CalACT Sprint 2018 Conference Newport Beach, CA
Paul Sorensen
April 4, 2018

2. Discussion Topics Deploying GTFS Flex to other agencies
Integrating GTFS Flex with 1-Click
Checking eligibility and accommodations
Supporting automated scheduling
Incorporating taxis/TNCs for first/last mile
Trading off cost vs. travel time

3. Transferability of GTFS Flex: Testing with Denver RTD
The “G” in GTFS stands for “General”
Should work well for other agencies!!!
Denver RTD has strong interest in GTFS Flex
Extensive demand-responsive call-n-ride system
Already use OTP-based trip planning tools
Testing out GTFS Flex with RTD
RTD created GTFS Flex files for call-n-ride system
CS deployed version of OTP with RTD’s GTFS and GTFS Flex data

4. Demo of RTD GTFS Flex Test
1. Reservation service
from: 7209 W Ken Caryl Ave, Littleton, CO
to: 6941 W Chatfield Dr, Littleton, CO
2. Flex route
from: Colorado school of mines
to: Park & Ride-Jeffco
3. Flex route -> fixed
from: 231 Violet St, Golden, CO
to: 1615 Welton St, Denver CO
4. Reservation service -> fixed
From: 6492 Greenwood Plaza Blvd, Englewood CO
To: th St Mall, Denver CO
5. Reservation service -> fixed -> fixed -> reservation service
To: Colorado school of mines

5. Lessons from RTD Test Generally successful!
A few differences from initial Vermont context that needed to be addressed in OTP/GTFS Flex, e.g.:
Scheduled departures associated with some call-n-rides
Rail stations are pedestrian-only; OTP-flex makes call-and-ride connections only to other vehicle-accessible locations
Overall assessment
The “G” in GTFS Flex is legit
Hardest task in deploying GTFS Flex will be generating and maintaining GTFS Flex datasets
Likely to be some continued fine-tuning of both GTFS Flex and OTP going forward

6. Introduction to 1-Click
Open source multi-modal trip planner, initially funded by federal VTCLI grants
Aimed at the needs of human service clients (in addition to general public)
In addition to transit, driving, biking, walking, adds demand responsive transportation (DRT) options such as paratransit, veteran’s services, volunteer services, etc.
Considers eligibility and required accommodations
Current clients: PennDOT, JTA, Broward, LYNX (Orlando), Atlanta, Livingston, UTA, RTD, So Cal 211s…

7. Multi-Modal Trip Planning in 1-Click
1-Click|CS
DRT Engine
Open Trip Planner
3rd Party APIs
Paratransit
Volunteer Services
Non-Emergency Medical Transport
Fixed-route (GTFS)
Driving
Walking
Bicycling
TNCs
Taxis
Rideshare
Vanpools
Agencies can choose what modes to include

8. Additional 1-Click Capabilities
Desktop browser, mobile-first browser, iOS & Android
Integration with 211 human service databases
iCarol, ReferNet
Integration with paratransit scheduling systems
Ecolane, Trapeze, RidePilot
Integration with medical scheduling systems
Via new Rides-To-Wellness grants
Extensive reporting capabilities

9. Opportunities to Enhance 1-Click Based on GTFS Flex
Advances in OTP/GTFS Flex make it possible to find itineraries that combine fixed route and DRT services in smart ways
1-Click layers on additional capabilities
Ability to test for eligibility and required accommodations
Ability to integrate with scheduling systems
Ability to interact with Taxis, TNCs for first/last mile options
Ability to present fare information and in turn consider tradeoffs between financial cost and travel time

10. Considering Rider Eligibility and Required Accommodations
1-Click (unlike OTP) has user accounts
Based on user information, can filter relevant services based on:
Eligibility criteria, such as age, veteran status, disability…
Required accommodations, such as door-to-door, wheelchair lift…
1-Click could use this information to determine which DRT services OTP should consider as it puts together itinerary options that combine modes
Side benefit: helping clients find viable transport options that are less costly to provide

11. Integrating with DRT Scheduling Systems
1-Click designed to integrate with scheduling systems to automate process of scheduling a ride:
Ecolane, Trapeze, RidePilot
Rider credentials can be stored as part of user profile
With addition of GTFS Flex, 1-Click could find itineraries that combine fixed-route and DRT services and automatically schedule the latter

13. Finding First/Last Mile Solutions Involving Taxis or TNCs
From a routing perspective, taxis and TNCs are structurally similar to call-n-ride
Operate within a given area and can pickup and drop off at arbitrary origins and destinations
With OTP augmented for flexible services, 1-Click can potentially:
Use OTP routing logic to find good transfer points for switching between fixed route and DRT services
Make calls to TNC or taxi systems to get costs and travel times associated trip segments that start or end at the identified transfer points

14. Trading Off Cost vs. Travel Time
When looking at first/last mile solutions involving TNCs or taxis, cost vs. travel time tradeoffs highly relevant
In combination, 1-Click and OTP could help users identify options and compare cost vs. travel time
1-Click already stores DRT fare structures
Via API, 1-Click can get cost estimates for taxis, TNCs
Fixed route fare information (often) available via GTFS
Additional routing logic could be added to OTP to more explicitly trade off costs vs. travel time based on this information

15. Future Roadmap for 1-Click
1-Click is open source
Most enhancements are agency funded
Our expectation is that many of the potential advances discussed here will be funded sooner rather than later

16. Thanks! Questions?