This Guidebook is intended to support public transportation professionals in identifying and implementing appropriate technologies for their transit systems. It can be useful in the procurement of low-tech solutions, such as off-the-shelf computer software, as well as high-tech systems, such as automatic vehicle location systems. The intended audience for this Guidebook includes transit operators managing rural and small urban transit systems of varying size.

The research, presented in the form of a guidebook, provides a valuable resource to many people who may implement or adapt new concepts to improve public transportation in their community. Much of the information was derived from a careful review of innovative public transportation initiatives undertaken in rural and small urban communities throughout the United States. The guidebook is divided into two parts: Part I addresses the culture for change and innovation and Part II presents more than 40 initiatives and innovations implemented by an array of organizations, including public and nonprofit transit systems, regional planning agencies, state transit associations, and state departments of transportation.