A crew from The University of Texas at Arlington’s Parking and Transportation Services (PATS) and Department of Civil Engineering obtained an award for its work on RAPID (Rideshare, Automation, and Payment Integration Demonstration), the on-demand, self-driving shuttle service.
Funded by way of a $1.8 million Federal Transit Administration grant, the RAPID venture carried out self-driving shuttles for the general public in Arlington, together with free rides for UTA college students from March 2021 to March 2022. Team leaders Greg Hladik, govt director for Auxiliary Services, and Sharareh “Sherri” Kermanshachi, affiliate professor of civil engineering, labored with town of Arlington, Via and May Mobility on this system.
The Texas Parking and Transportation Association bestowed its Excellence Award on the UTA crew at a convention in San Antonio, the place Kermanshachi and Hladik delivered a presentation sharing the teachings discovered and findings of profitable RAPID implementation. The award recognized the RAPID program for the transportation enhancements, efficiencies and excessive service ranges it offered to the UTA neighborhood.
“We were happy to offer our students a cutting-edge mobility service that met their needs,” Hladik mentioned. “The program taught us that students will adapt to the services available to them. They embraced this alternative method of transportation wholeheartedly. We continue to look for innovative ways to improve the parking and mobility experience for the UTA community.”
Kermanshachi famous that regardless of its launch early within the pandemic, the RAPID program nonetheless noticed important use. Students have been excited to be taught extra about autonomous autos and the way the service works.
“It’s critical to study and determine who are the users of the program so we can better plan and tailor the transportation needs of our students, faculty and staff, as well as for the public and individuals with disabilities,” she mentioned.
City of Arlington officers mentioned they have been happy with this system in its first yr. Ann Foss, principal planner with town’s Office of Strategic Initiatives, mentioned UT Arlington college students represented an ideal check group.
“We look forward to continuing to provide students, residents and visitors with innovative mobility that fits their needs and schedules,” Foss mentioned.
The RAPID venture lately gained funding for its subsequent part from the North Texas Council of Governments and town of Arlington to offer a further two years of operation.
This yr’s Excellence Award is the fourth PATS has obtained from the Texas Parking and Transportation Association since 2018. Hladik credit the work and dedication of the 14 full-time and 35 scholar workers members who make up the PATS division for its continued success.
Other division initiatives receiving the award embrace:
• The West Campus Garage building venture, which was accomplished in 18 months
• Reviving the Transportation Network by way of improved autos, know-how and service ranges
• Balancing strong enforcement methods with managing occasion and customer parking wants
Further, on account of the division’s constant work offering revolutionary providers for the UTA neighborhood, UT Arlington was named the host website for the 2025 College Parking & Transportation Association’s annual convention.