OBJECTIVE The objective of this research is to produce guidance and resources to help transit agencies develop and implement an effective transit fare enforcement policy and integrate applicable fare collection technologies and strategies into their operations. RESEARCH PLAN The TCRP is seeking proposals on how best to achieve the research objective. Proposers are expected to describe research plans that can realistically be accomplished within the constraints of available funds and subaward time. Proposals must present the proposers' current thinking in sufficient detail to demonstrate their understanding of the issues and the soundness of their approach to meet the research objective. The research shall: Conduct a comprehensive review of existing studies on fare collection technologies’ effects on fare enforcement strategies. Document successful, innovative strategies and new technologies that transit agencies have implemented in the post-COVID-19 transit environment to improve fare enforcement and compliance (e.g., video surveillance). Describe and evaluate the latest fare collection technologies and their impact on fare enforcement in transit systems. Evaluate the effectiveness of passive (e.g., proof-of-payment), active (e.g., fare gates), and hybrid (passive and active) fare enforcement methods and their applicability for different modes. Assess the evolution and impact of faregates on fare evasion, operational efficiency, and passenger satisfaction. Describe which strategy or technology is more appropriate for each transit mode. Identify methods to measure the multidimensional return on investment (ROI) of the strategies and fare enforcement used (including, for example, considerations of costs, customer satisfaction, increase in ridership, reduction in crime rates, and service reliability). Develop best practices and propose recommendations for transit fare enforcement policy, including guidelines for selecting different fare enforcement technologies and strategies for specific physical configurations (stations, stops, and vehicles) and modes (transferring between modes, microtransit, special events, etc.). Proposers should include recommendations for a project approach and deliverables that would help transit agencies develop and implement an effective transit fare enforcement policy and applicable fare collection technologies and strategies. These recommendations should identify innovative ways to conduct research (focus groups, stakeholder interviews, etc.) and present the information (case studies, creation of evaluation frameworks, checklists, online resources, fact sheets, etc.). This research will result in a guide and products that will assist transit agencies and other stakeholders in implementing the results of the study.
