Demand Responsive Transport (DRT)

There is an increasing urgency to find viable alternatives to private cars. Environmental issues and traffic congestion are important issues affecting all of the world population. Many mechanisms being adopted to encourage drivers not to use their cars (for example road tolling, or workplace parking charge), or simply excessive congestion, make life for the car driver less pleasant. The concept of Demand Responsive Transport offers a real alternative to car use, and one that does not penalise travelers.

In essence, Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) provides a mechanism whereby passengers can be picked up and dropped off at their chosen locations, like using a taxi but at a price more usually associated with fixed route bus services. Any future transport strategy must maintain a balance between high-speed fixed transport routes, Demand Responsive services (perhaps acting as feeders to the fixed lines), and taxis. MobiRouter can bridge the gap between these services, enabling efficient ‘real-time’ journey calculation and allocation. MobiRouter has been running in a number of European cities and towns for many years, and has been instrumental in helping the new concept of DRT take its place in the overall transport solution.

It is becoming increasingly difficult for businesses to get planning permission for car parks. Congestion charging is one of many mechanisms being considered to stop people driving to work. Many forward thinking business are looking at the emerging concept of Demand Responsive transport as a solution. Transport operators are also starting to see opportunities with new DRT regulations to offer shared door-to-door transport. Airport feeder services are one example where a DRT system would enable passengers to be efficiently picked up on demand over large areas and offered trips directly to or from the terminal.