Transforming travel experience in low density areas: evidence from a DRT pilot study and simulation model

In low density areas, due to limited economic resources, public transport (PT) companies usually operate services with low frequency, poor accessibility and reliability and high waiting times at stops. Several studies highlighted that introducing Demand Responsive Transport Services (DRTs) can improve PT performance in these areas. In Italy, several DRTs have been launched, characterized by flexible schedules with different operational configurations: fixed route, with and without detours and flexible route. Considering the importance of sharing lessons from pilots, the paper presents a DRT pilot study, conducted in Palermo (Italy) within the WEAKI TRANSIT project, identifying strategies for planning and designing on-demand shared systems. The pilot was conducted in a suburban area in the north of Palermo, covering about 10.5 km 2 with the neighbourhoods of Partanna Mondello and Tommaso Natale. This area is poorly served by PT companies with low-frequency and low-reliability bus lines, thus a stop-based DRT service with two fixed routes and detours was hypothesized. The pilot was conducted during November and December 2022, with four cars, operating from 3 to 7 p.m., except Sunday. The service, free of charge, was addressed to students and teaching staff by University of Palermo. Through SP surveys, simulation model and pilot, we evaluate operational performance of the services (i.e. travel distance, waiting and in-vehicle times). We found the introduction of DRTs lead to increasing accessibility to main transit hubs and facilities, and a decrease in waiting times at stops and travel times. Nevertheless, considerations about financial feasibility and legal framework are highlighted.