Asymmetric Information Sharing in Dialysis Paratransit Using an Agency Approach

Authors

Mary Lind, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Rhonda Hensley, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-2018

Keywords

Paratransit, dialysis, agent, principal, Bayesian, scheduling

Abstract

Dialysis patient transit services presents an agency problem (Eisenhardt, 1989) where the county paratransit operator is the agent that provides the principal, the dialysis center, transport of dialysis patients to their centers under conditions of incomplete and asymmetric information. The agent (paratransit) collects riders in need of paratransit services for doctor appointments (Social Service and Elder Services), dialysis appointments (principal), and other transit needs under conditions of incomplete and asymmetric information where the pickups are scheduled with a limited number of vehicles. Asymmetric scheduling information between the dialysis centers (principal) in a county, the para-transit authority (agent), and the patient’s knowledge of his/her schedule was the focus of this research where it was discovered that Social Service is another principal in this agency problem. The communication flows between the agencies and the principals was examined in 13 rural North Carolina counties with high demand for paratransit services. Service quality factors that impact the information asymmetry were analyzed with Bayesian analysis. Results of this research showed the impact service factors on information asymmetry and suggests the need for call center technologies and improved paratransit scheduling. A unique contribution to transportation research was the use of probabilistic Bayesian factors in the principal/ agency model that will provide the basis for paratransit route scheduling in the next phase of this research.

Recommended Citation

Lind, Mary and Hensley, Rhonda, "Asymmetric Information Sharing in Dialysis Paratransit Using an Agency Approach" (2018). Center for Advanced Transportation Mobility. 1.
https://digital.library.ncat.edu/catm/1