Integrating Transit, Paratransit and Ridesharing Services Via IVHS/FOCCS Technologies

Germany, France and other foreign countries have used new computer and communications technologies in innovative ways to increase the quality and reduce the costs of public transportation services in urban, suburban and rural areas. This paper provides an introduction to the German Flexible Operations Command and Control System (FOCCS) and its predecessor the Ruf-Bus (i.e. “Call-A-Bus) System. It also outlines how these Intelligent Vehicle-Highway Systems (IVHS)-approaches could be adapted to improve the cost-effectiveness of transit, paratransit and ridesharing services in U.S. cities and counties.