Citation

Schnell JB, Braum PH. Transp. Res. Rec. 1976; 563: 75-88.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1976, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Because of increased awareness of the need for transportation for that segment of society whose mobility is limited, there have been increased efforts to establish the funding mechanisms, the management structures, and the operational equipment for such transportation service. However, these attempts, well intended as they are, sometimes have produced less than optimal results because of a lack of (a) knowledge of appropriate solutions to the problems involved, (b) cooperative effort among agencies in some areas, and (c) overall policy direction. This paper discusses efforts being made to overcome these deficiencies. To determine levels of activity in the transit industry, the American Public Transit Association (formerly the American Transit Association) surveyed its transit-operating members for details of all types of specialized services they are providing, not only the demand-responsive services that actually provide mobility but also educational programs teaching handicapped persons how to use transit, research into needs of handicapped persons on a local or statewide basis, and cooperative arrangements with other organizations to serve the needs of the handicapped. The information resulting from the study is viewed partly as a means to assist operators in establishing or expanding their specialized services by providing examples of successful efforts already under way. Perhaps more important, this information should be valuable as an input to the formulation of a comprehensive national policy to better define the appropriate programs for transit operators.

RESULTS of the survey are discussed. Also included are details of nontransit and paratransit activities in providing mobility and how the different forms of transportation have been successfully used in different areas. The relationship of these activities to the establishment of policy and regulations by various levels of government is viewed as a crucial factor.