The goal of this research project is to improve the operational efficiency of shared-ride mobility-on-demand services (SRMoDS). SRMoDS ranging from UberPool to micro-transit have the potential to provide travelers mobility benefits that are comparable to existing ride-hailing services without shared rides such as UberX, but at a lower cost and with fewer harmful externalities. To meet the project's goal, this study proposes a bi-criteria network pathfinding approach that considers proximity to potential future traveler requests in addition to travel time. This pathfinding approach was built on top of state-of-the-art dynamic vehicle routing and matching modules. The study tests the proposed pathfinding approach using the network of the Anaheim, CA. The results indicate that the proposed bi-criteria approach can potentially reduce both traveler waiting and in-vehicle travel time; however, the effectiveness depends on several factors. Important factors include the relative supply-demand imbalance as well as several hyperparameters in the optimization-based control policy. Moreover, the results indicate that the bi-criteria policy is only advisable when the SRMoDS vehicle has one or fewer in-vehicle passengers. Although the operational benefits found in this study are relatively small, future research efforts related to tuning hyperparameters should allow bi-criteria pathfinding to significantly improve SRMoDS.

To better understand how TNCs likely impacted transit ridership before Covid-19, investigate how Covid-19 affected other modes, and elicit obstacles to a resurgence of transit after the pandemic, we analyzed data from the 2017 National Household Travel Survey, and from an IPSOS survey administered in May 2021 for this project.   Our Results show that TNCs are attracting younger, more affluent, and better educated urban households, many of whom are also served by transit. Lower-income households who reside in core urban areas served by transit are less likely to switch to TNCs. Our analysis suggests that driving but especially transit and TNCs, could see substantial drops in popularity after the pandemic ends or moves to the background like the flu. Many Hispanics, Asians, and women intend to use transit less. Although walking and biking should increase, many Hispanics, African Americans, and Asians plan on walking/biking less.   Key obstacles to a resurgence of transit include insufficient reach and frequency. African Americans and Asians have lingering health concerns, and women are more likely to worry about personal safety. In addition to addressing these concerns, effective transit policies need to be integrated into a comprehensive framework designed to achieve California's social and environmental goals.