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Transportation Glossary
Term Description

Vanpool (VP)

A ride sharing service to and from pre-arranged destinations in which a number of people travel together on a regular basis in a van which is designed to carry 7 to 15 passengers (including the driver). Vanpool service operates primarily from rural and outer suburban areas into urban area central business districts or suburban employment centers. Vanpools are typically developed under one of three models – They may be individually owned or leased (owner-operator), employer-operated, or publicly operated (third-party program). A publicly operated, third-party vanpool operation is usually one run by state or local transit authorities, metropolitan planning organizations, local transportation management associations, or non-profit transportation entities that are funded under state Departments of Transportation. Vanpools must be in compliance with public transit rules including the Americans with Disabilities Act, be open to the public, and that availability must be made known. The definition of vanpool does not include ridesharing coordination.

NDSU Dept 2880P.O. Box 6050Fargo, ND 58108-6050
(701)231-7767ndsu.ugpti@ndsu.edu