Autonomous Electric Ferries (Autoferry) - Efficient Connectors

Details

• Creators:
  Dillon, Heather ; Walters, Jeffrey P. ; Kitali, Angela ; Kalambay, Panick ; Lipscomb, Grant ; Weber, Gauge Frederick ; Sanchez-Sossa, Jose
• Corporate Creators:
  University of Washington Tacoma ; Rural Safe Efficient Advanced Transportation (R-SEAT) Center
• Corporate Contributors:
  United States. Department of Transportation. University Transportation Centers (UTC) Program ; United States. Department of Transportation. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Autonomous vehicles
  • Ferry terminals
  • Electric vehicles
  • Socioeconomic factors
  • Demographics
  • Households
  • Rural areas
  • Marine transportation
  • Literature reviews
  • Autoferry
  More +
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States ; Washington
• Edition:
  Final Report: 03/01/2024 - 02/28/2025
• Corporate Publisher:
  Rural Safe Efficient Advanced Transportation (R-SEAT) Center
• Description:
  This study examines the benefits and implementation of autonomous pedestrian ferries in Washington State, aiming to understand which routes and terminals should be prioritized for their deployment. Correlation, principal component, and cluster analyses were performed to identify key factors influencing transportation and classify ferry terminals into distinct clusters based on the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the census tracts where these terminals are located. Correlation analysis revealed that high-poverty census tracts are associated with higher proportions of disabled individuals, households without vehicles, and mobile homes. These tracts also show higher unemployment rates and lower education levels. These areas need better connectivity to job opportunities in the Seattle-Tacoma region. The principal component analysis identified five principal components that define clusters of terminals based on seventeen variables, with significant contributors including poverty, unemployment, education, and transit access. Cluster analysis highlighted five clusters with distinct characteristics. Proposed pedestrian autoferry routes using existing terminals could include Port Orchard (Cluster 1), Vashon/Tahlequah (Cluster 1), and Kingston (Cluster 3). These possible routes aim to address socioeconomic differences, improve access to essential services, and offer more frequent service due to shorter connections.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  69A3552348321
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/94155/dot_94155_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 905.83 KB]
• Collection(s):
  Autonomous Vehicles ; University Transportation Centers
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:70f44c9412ca6f30d8eadb5c849d60058c3cb81e30026ee251f563c2d7a04787990bc7bf86a4967eb52d8977b77fb4771fac7fa919a7ef30a05734165e8fdda4