Why This Matters

Despite advances in optimization algorithms, deploying ridesharing systems in practice requires solving numerous challenges beyond pure algorithmic optimization including user interfaces, real-time data integration, and operational constraints. This work is valuable because it demonstrates how research algorithms can be integrated into functional systems that transit agencies can actually deploy. The modular architecture enables different agencies to adopt the system while customizing it to their specific operational needs.

What We Did

This paper presents a comprehensive software system for managing mobility-on-demand services including microtransit and paratransit operations. The SmartTransit.AI system provides web-based interfaces for operational management, mobile applications for drivers and users, and modular optimization components that can accommodate different algorithms and constraints. The paper describes the architecture, implementation challenges, and deployment experiences from real-world testing with transit agencies.

Key Results

The SmartTransit.AI system successfully demonstrates the feasibility of deploying advanced optimization algorithms in real transit operations. The integrated software system handles both offline planning and real-time optimization for shared mobility services. Real-world deployment results show the system's ability to improve operational efficiency while maintaining usability for operators and accessibility for passengers.

Full Abstract

Cite This Paper

@inproceedings{wilbur2023mobility,
  author = {Wilbur, Michael and Coursey, Maxime and Koirala, Pravesh and Al-Quran, Zakariyya and Pugliese, Philip and Dubey, Abhishek},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of the ACM/IEEE 14th International Conference on Cyber-Physical Systems (with CPS-IoT Week 2023)},
  title = {Mobility-On-Demand Transportation: A System for Microtransit and Paratransit Operations},
  year = {2023},
  address = {New York, NY, USA},
  note = {demonstration},
  pages = {260--261},
  publisher = {Association for Computing Machinery},
  series = {ICCPS '23},
  abstract = {New rideshare and shared-mobility services have transformed urban mobility in recent years. Therefore, transit agencies are looking for ways to adapt to this rapidly changing environment. In this space, ridepooling has the potential to improve efficiency and reduce costs by allowing users to share rides in high-capacity vehicles and vans. Most transit agencies already operate various ridepooling services including microtransit and paratransit. However, the objectives and constraints for implementing these services vary greatly between agencies. This brings multiple challenges. First, off-the-shelf ridepooling formulations must be adapted for real-world conditions and constraints. Second, the lack of modular and reusable software makes it hard to implement and evaluate new ridepooling algorithms and approaches in real-world settings. Therefore, we propose an on-demand transportation scheduling software for microtransit and paratransit services. This software is aimed at transit agencies looking to incorporate state-of-the-art rideshare and ridepooling algorithms in their everyday operations. We provide management software for dispatchers and mobile applications for drivers and users. Lastly, we discuss the challenges in adapting state-of-the-art methods to real-world operations.},
  contribution = {lead},
  doi = {10.1145/3576841.3589625},
  isbn = {9798400700361},
  keywords = {mobility-on-demand, software systems, microtransit, paratransit, operational software, deployment, system integration, transportation technology},
  location = {San Antonio, TX, USA},
  numpages = {2},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1145/3576841.3589625}
}
Quick Info
Year 2023
Series ICCPS '23
Keywords
mobility-on-demand software systems microtransit paratransit operational software deployment system integration transportation technology
Research Areas
transit middleware
Search Tags

Mobility, Demand, Transportation, System, Microtransit, Paratransit, Operations, mobility-on-demand, software systems, microtransit, paratransit, operational software, deployment, system integration, transportation technology, transit, middleware, 2023, Wilbur, Coursey, Koirala, Al-Quran, Pugliese, Dubey, ICCPS23