Shared-Use Mobility Center to provide tech assistance for 25 mobility projects

SUMC’s involvement in the IMI program builds on its partnerships with FTA’s mobility innovation initiatives. TriMet

The Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC), a national nonprofit organization that works in the public interest to create a multimodal transportation system that works for all, will provide technical assistance toward the successful implementation of 25 transit projects selected by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for the Integrated Mobility Innovation (IMI) program. The IMI grantees, which will be awarded approximately $20.3 million, will execute innovative mobility solutions in urban, suburban, and rural areas that focus on on-demand transportation, transit automation, and multimodal payment integration.

SUMC’s involvement in the IMI program builds on its partnerships with FTA’s mobility innovation initiatives. In 2016, FTA launched the Mobility on Demand (MOD) Sandbox program that supported to 11 pilot projects across the country with unconventional business models and a traveler-centric, complete trip approach. SUMC partnered with FTA to lead the MOD Innovation and Knowledge Accelerator to conduct research and develop tools and resources for the wider transit and shared mobility community, including the MOD Learning Center.

SUMC also works with six transit agencies through the MOD On-Ramp program to turn innovative mobility ideas into actionable plans. SUMC supports the agencies through one-on-one interactions, workshops to share knowledge with transit industry peers, and additional research and analysis.

Three projects from the MOD Sandbox and On-Ramp programs were selected to build on or launch their projects through the IMI program — integrated payment and enhanced customer service in TriMet’s Open Trip Planner; a multimodal trip-planning platform with supporting services for a rural and small-urban population in Tompkins County, N.Y.; and an affordable first/last-mile connection in Memphis to support the Memphis Area Transportation Authority’s new transit vision.

“In today’s fast-changing world, it’s more important than ever to continue to innovate in public transit to find new ways to improve and expand transportation options. New pilots are one of the best ways to develop and test new service models” said SUMC Executive Director Sharon Feigon. “We look forward to continuing our work with FTA and the selected agencies to help guide the critical early stages of their projects.”