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.
Service Deployment Case Study: Arlington RAPID in Arlington, Texas
- diciembre 1, 2023
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).
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.
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
Arlington RAPID Performance at a glance
- 98% rider satisfaction rating
- 90% of riders surveyed said they would ride with RAPID again
- 28,000 rides by over 2,300 unique riders
- 0 safety incidents
Arlington RAPID Performance at a glance
- 98% rider satisfaction rating
- 90% of riders surveyed said they would ride with RAPID again
- 28,000 rides by over 2,300 unique riders
- 0 safety incidents
Increasing Equitable Access
Learn more about how our service deployment in Arlington, Texas increased equitable access for its ridership.
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
-
Polaris Gem
• 1 wheelchair passenger capacity
• Fully electric
• 25MPH max speed -
Lexus RX 450h
• 3 passenger capacity
• Hybrid-electric
• 25MPH max speed -
Toyota Sienna
• 1 wheelchair passenger capacity
• Hybrid-electric
• 30MPH max speed
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%
Lleve May Mobility a su comunidad
¿Quiere llevar May Mobility a su comunidad? El primer paso es enviar un formulario. Póngase en contacto con nosotros hoy mismo.
Lleve May Mobility a su comunidad
¿Quiere llevar May Mobility a su comunidad? El primer paso es enviar un formulario. Póngase en contacto con nosotros hoy mismo.
