CORDIS Archive

The SAMPLUS project advances the domain of ITS-based Demand Responsive Transport, building on the platform provided by the SAMPO project. It enhances the ITS and user-oriented functionalities, increases the range and coverage of services, and moves from an experimental to a sustainable transportation product. In the SAMPLUS project four Demonstration Sites were involved in User Needs Analysis as a basis for implementing enhanced or extended ITS-based DRT systems. Four Feasibility Study sites also undertook User Needs Analysis as part of the preparatory actions to implement DRT. These issues are outlined in Chapter 1.

User Needs analysis provides a means of understanding the potential users (end-users, intermediate users, and sponsors) of DRT systems, their motivations, their mobility needs, and their specific needs in relation to services and support systems. A strong understanding of the core user needs was developed in the SAMPO project during 1996-7, and the key findings of this project are reported in Chapter 2.

In SAMPLUS, the sites are generally able to build on this prior work, and so they focus on quite specific elements of User Need Analysis. The objectives of the User Needs Analysis are reported in Chapters 3 and 4, covering the Demonstration Sites and Feasibility Study sites respectively. In Belgium, the focus is on the attitude and requirements for end-users, operator personnel, and decision-takers in regard to automated forms of booking and enhanced functionality. In Finland and Italy, the focus is on the attitudes of the users towards the existing DRT services, how they can be improved, and understanding of the market segments. In Sweden, they wish to replace a fixed route with a flexible route, and need to understand whether it will meet user needs and expectations. The Nurmijärvi, Irish and West Sussex sites each are seeking to identify the mobility requirements of a range of potential users in their area, as well as the optimal organisational, operational, technical and financing method of introducing DRT. The Surrey site is considering consolidating Dial-a-Ride services to a single location and needs to understand the requirements and attitudes of the entities involved.

Reflecting the diversity of objectives and target users, the SAMPLUS sites use a wide range of data collection and investigation methods. These are reported in Chapter 5. On-vehicle surveys and Discussion Groups are the most commonly used methods, although direct interviews, postal and telephone surveys, and seminars have also been used. The methods of selected sites are reported in detail, and sample questionnaires and discussion group methods which have been validated in the field are reported in the Annexes as support to other sites interested to implement DRT in their areas.

The key findings are reported in Chapters 6 and 7, again divided between the Demonstration Sites and Feasibility Study sites. There are so many findings, covering so many areas, that it is not possible to present them all in this Executive Summary.

This deliverable consists of 1 volume :samplus d3.pdf