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Service Deployment Case Study: Arlington RAPID in Arlington, Texas

Read our case study about our service deployment in Arlington, Texas. This service integrates seamlessly into an existing public transit network in Arlington known as Arlington RAPID (Rideshare Automation and Payment Integration Demonstration).

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About Arlington RAPID

Supported by a $1.7 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration’s Integrated Mobility Innovation Program to the City of Arlington, Texas, May Mobility incorporated five AVs (including one wheelchair-accessible AV) into Via’s existing on-demand public transit service in the city in March of 2021. This service, known as Arlington RAPID (Rideshare, Automation, and Payment Integration Demonstration), is a partnership between May Mobility, Via, the City of Arlington, and the University of Texas at Arlington.

In its first year, RAPID grew to an average daily ridership of 162 and an acceptance rate of 70% — meaning nearly three-fourths of customers prefer an AV over a conventional vehicle. Arlington RAPID reported a 99% on-time performance and the vehicles were able to operate fully autonomously 80% of the time.

Today, Arlington RAPID still serves downtown Arlington and the University of Texas at Arlington campus for the benefit of students and other riders.

A photo of one of May Mobility's Arlington RAPID service vehicle in front of the Arlington City Center in Arlington, TX

Service Details

Date Launched
March 2021

Routing Model
The routing model for this deployment is point-to-point/dynamically routed.

Target Riders

  • UTA’s 40,000 students
  • Central Arlington’s 12,000 residents
  • 10,000 employees who work in Central Arlington
  • People with limited mobility options

Partners

  • The City of Arlington
  • The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
  • The rideshare app, Via Transportation
A photo of one of May Mobility's Arlington RAPID service vehicles in Arlington, TX

Arlington RAPID performance at a glance

  • 70,000+ miles driven
  • 91% repeat ridership
  • 4.9/5 rider approval rating
  • 52,000+ rides requested
UT Arlington faculty and staff, along with representatives from the City of Arlington and May Mobility, accept the Award of Excellence for Innovation from the International Parking & Mobility Institute.

RAPID Receives Award of Excellence for Innovation

Arlington RAPID was recently presented with an Award of Excellence for Innovation from the International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI). IPMI’s Awards of Excellence program showcases outstanding parking, mobility and transportation facilities and innovative programs to further the parking, transportation and mobility industry.

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Increasing Equitable Access

Learn more about how our service deployment in Arlington, Texas increased equitable access for its ridership.

Reaching Underserved Communities

RAPID provides a flexible and accessible public mobility option for an area where nearly two-fifths of households are below the poverty line, and one-fifth include a person with a disability.

Booking Without a Smartphone

Customers without smartphones can access RAPID by telephone, including account setup, ride payment and booking, and directions to pickup locations.

Accepting Cash Payment

RAPID can process payment via credit/debit cards or prepaid debit cards, which riders can purchase with cash at local stores.

Serving International Students

UTA is home to thousands of international and exchange students that do not own cars. Like all UTA students, they ride free. Overall, 11% of area households do not have access to a personal vehicle.

Arlington's Vehicle Platform Evolution

  • A photo of a Gem May Mobility vehicle deployed in Arlington, Texas

    Polaris Gem

    • 1 wheelchair passenger capacity
    • Fully electric
    • 25MPH max speed

  • A photo of a Lexus May Mobility vehicle deployed in Arlington, Texas

    Lexus RX 450h

    • 3 passenger capacity
    • Hybrid-electric
    • 25MPH max speed

  • A photo of one of May Mobility's Arlington RAPID service vehicles in Arlington, TX

    Toyota Sienna

    • 1 wheelchair passenger capacity
    • Hybrid-electric
    • 30MPH max speed

First-Year Results

In its first year, RAPID grew to an average daily ridership of 162 and an acceptance rate of 70% — meaning nearly three-fourths of customers prefer an AV over a conventional vehicle. Arlington RAPID reported a 99% on-time performance and the vehicles were able to operate fully autonomously 80% of the time.

Acceptance Rate

  • March 2021: 50%
  • June 2021: 69%
  • November 2021: 74%
A QUOTE FROM ONE OF OUR PARTNERS
A May Mobility vehicle drives on a tree-lined road in Minnesota

Bring May Mobility To Your Community

Want to bring May Mobility to your community? The first step is a quick form submission away. Get in touch with us today.

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