Project Challenge
Many night shift workers in Baltimore cannot find safe and reliable transportation at night. They often face few bus routes, long waits, and concerns about crime. This pilot project aims to test new options, like special rideshare or flexible micro-transit services, to fill these gaps. The team want to see if better schedules and routes can reduce crime risks, cut commute times, and be affordable for both riders and providers.
Track B: Night Moves - Enhancing Mobility Accessibility and Safety for Night Shift Workers in Baltimore, Maryland
Pilot Location: Baltimore, MD
NSF Award ID: 2430978
PI: Xianfeng Yang, University of Maryland
2024 Civic Innovation Challenge
Pilot Vision
- Deploy enhanced nighttime transit services, including increased bus frequency and flexible micro-transit options, in targeted high-need areas.
- Measure safety improvements by tracking changes in commuting-related crime exposure and user-reported perceptions of safety.
- Evaluate service performance using metrics such as ridership, wait time, cost per trip, and on-time performance.
- Develop a cost-fare gap model to assess long-term financial sustainability and identify the level of funding needed to maintain and expand services.
- Create a scalable and transferable framework that other cities can adopt to support late-night workers facing similar mobility challenges.
Civic Partners:
- Maryland Transit Administration
- Maryland Commuter Choice
Research Questions
- What are the commuting patterns and transportation challenges faced by night shift workers in Baltimore?
- How does the spatial mismatch between jobs and homes affect night shift workers' mobility and safety?
- What types of transit services (e.g., micro-transit, rideshare) are most feasible for pilot deployment?
- How much are night shift workers willing to pay for safer and more reliable late-night transportation?