SURTC Researchers Present at TRF Meeting

Two SURTC researchers presented their research studies at the 47th Annual Transportation Research Forum March 23-25 at New York University.

The TRF is a professional transportation organization dedicated to providing an impartial forum for the exchange of ideas among practitioners, researchers and government officials regarding all aspects of logistics.

David Ripplinger, an associate research fellow with SURTC, discussed his findings on the use of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) in coordinating community transportation services. He examined the experiences of three organizations in planning, implementing and operating ITS to meet the mobility needs of their residents through improved coordination. His observations provide insights on the challenges of implementing the technology as well as the advantages offered by the innovations.

Del Peterson, an associate research fellow with SURTC, reviewed a study on the feasibility of commuter bus service between Wahpeton-Breckenridge and Fargo-Moorhead. Nearly 50 percent of commuters surveyed indicated they would use an "express" bus for their commute between Fargo-Moorhead and Wahpeton-Breckenridge. The biggest obstacle was concern over transportation back to Wahpeton-Breckenridge in the event of an emergency. The study determined the number of regular commuters between the Wahpeton-Breckenridge and Fargo-Moorhead metro areas, explored the willingness of commuters to utilize commuter bus service, determined what commuter bus service features were of utmost importance to travelers, and gauged the awareness of local commuters to commuter bus service and its features.

Ripplinger Presents at TRB Meeting

SURTC associate research fellow David Ripplinger presented his study of paratransit service in the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area at the Transportation Research Board annual meeting in Washington, DC, in December.

He outlined results of the study as part of a panel of experts assembled to discuss paratransit operations, planning and regulation. The goal of Ripplinger's study was to provide information to the Metropolitan Area Transit to assist in determining the optimal form of paratransit service to outlying areas where economic realities and the desire for a high level of customer service must find balance. The service alternatives presented all met federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations regarding complementary paratransit service.

The meeting attracted more than 9,000 transportation professionals from around the world with more than 2,600 presentations covering all modes of transportation.

Beck Joins SURTC

Natalie Beck is an undergraduate research assistant for SURTC. She is from the big sky area of Billings, MT. Natalie is a senior pursuing her degree in business administration with a minor in child development and family science. Her hobbies include hanging out with friends and reading. She is researching the multiple definitions and numerical values associated with the term "rural" to develop a functional description encompassing major population breaks.