Service Deployment Case Study: Arlington RAPID in Arlington, Texas

Case Studies
March 16, 2023
Service

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).

Learn More About This Service

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

153,000+ miles driven
92% repeat ridership
4.9/5 rider approval rating
61,000+ riders moved

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.

Learn More

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

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