Mobility technology providers SkedGo and Shotl, with IT services firm Itochu Techno-Solutions Corporation (CTC), have combined to launch a proof of concept project involving demand-responsive transport (DRT) and Mobility as a Service (MaaS) in Japan.
People in the southern city of Nōgata can now use Android and iOS applications to plan, book, and calculate fares for multimodal routes that start or end with a DRT trip, and incorporate all public transport options.
SkedGo’s solution supporting real time updates of DRT availability, virtual stops and operating hours while Shotl's platform allows vehicles to be dynamically routed in real-time through algorithms that match and pool travellers by origin and destination.
The Shotl back-end system can be integrated into MaaS platforms so that DRT operation can be offered alongside or combined with other transport modes.
“DRT serves to increase equal access to transport, in either urban or rural locations," says John Nuutinen, CEO of SkedGo.
"In Japan, where more than 29% of the population is over 65, we’re excited to show how our world class routing algorithm can improve quality of life and support community needs."
SkedGo’s white label solution incorporates General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) data for route and service updates, vehicle locations and congestion.
