Customizing Public Transport

This edited volume critically examines the paradigm shift occurring in public transport through the rise of flexible, user-centric mobility solutions. Grounded in the empirical and methodological work of the EU-funded ArtMED project, this book proposal brings together scholars and practitioners to explore the theoretical foundations, operational tools, and real-world implementations of Demand-Responsive Transit (DRT) and Autonomous Mobility on Demand (AMOD) systems.

Structured into two main parts, the volume offers a comprehensive perspective that bridges academic insights with policy and operational realities. Chapters in Part I focus on the evolution of DRT and AMOD concepts, the European policy landscape, cybersecurity concerns, and the introduction of the .MOBI decision-support tool developed under ArtMED for evaluating and planning these services. Chapters in Part II present diverse real-world examples from cities and regions across Europe, South America, and China. These case studies address implementation challenges and lessons learned in urban and peri-urban areas, highlight inclusivity for people with reduced mobility, and examine mobility transitions in developing economies and innovation ecosystems.

By combining robust conceptual analysis with grounded implementation insights, this volume will inform future research agendas and the development of adaptive, context-sensitive public transport strategies. As such, the volume will be of use to academics and students of transportation economics, urban economics and policy, and public policy, as well as transport planners, policymakers, and technology developers.