Using Transit Research
in University Transit Service
BUS CON
Chicago
September, 2011
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What is Transit Research?
• Scientific approach to examine behavior in
travel decisions
• Research
• Practices
• Case Studies
Research Topics
Research Jokes
• We lose a penny per passenger, but make
it up in volume – Joe DiJohn
• 3 out of 4 Americans make up 75% of the
population.
• Sometimes we let facts get in the way of
our opinions.
Myers - Briggs
• Psychology 101 Research
• Work group compatibility
• Four personality types
– Director
– Analytical
– Expressive
– Amiable
1970 Research
Assumptions for University
Applications of Research
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Good infrastructure
Reasonable Equipment Program
Good Maintenance
Student Involvement
Good Communication
Desire to move from C average to
B above average or maybe A
Transit Research Centers
• Transportation Research Board (1962)
• Transit Cooperative Research Program
(1992)
• 65 University Research Centers
– USF (CUTR)
– ND State (Rural and Small Urban)
– UC Berkley - ACCESS
– 62 others
Transit Cooperative
Research Program
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Reports - research
Synthesis – current practice
Legal Digest – for attorneys
Research Results Digest – interim info
TCRP Research Areas
A. Operations
B. Service Configuration
C. Engineering of vehicles and equipment
D. Engineering of fixed facilities
E. Maintenance
F. Human Resources
G. Administration
H. Policy and Planning
J. Special Projects
Early Example - 1954
TCRP Report 19
1996 Texas A&M
The big picture
Street side factors
Curb side factors
Near side, far side stops,
mid-block
Easter Seals
Project Action
TCRP Synthesis 39
Transportation on College and
University Campuses (2001)
• Update of 1992 Survey
• Identified parking – transit relationship
• Identified role of transit in campus
development
• Peer group data
• Revenue sources, fee levels
• Student control issues
TCRP Synthesis 78
(2008)
• Transit Systems in College and University
Communities
• High ridership issues
• Labor options/issues
• Parking/campus development issues
• Partnership with local transit
• Case studies
TCRP 36
Market Segmentation
• Demographics and Psychographics
• Segmentation
– 12 elements of segmentation plan
– 16 questions
– Responsive product, effective promotions,
insight on advertising, data on resource
allocation, long range planning info
• Strategies, Three step process
• Cautions of using the process
TCRP 95
Traveler Response to
Transportation System Change
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Frequency
Routing
Marketing
Pricing
TCRP 111
Elements Needed to Create
High Ridership Systems
• Internal factors quantified
– Fares, service, marketing, quality of service
• External factors quantified
– Population, land use, mode comparison,
economics
TCRP 100
Transit Capacity and
Quality of Service Manual
• Level of Service Standards
– Schedule Adherence
– Travel Time Comparison
– Frequency
– Passenger Loading Density
– Span of Service
– Area Coverage
TCRP 100
LOS Schedule Adherence
TCRP 100
LOS Travel Time Comparison
Frequency and Loading
TCRP Report 47
Measuring Customer Satisfaction
and Service Quality
Satisfaction vs Importance
Quadrant Analysis
– High satisfaction, high importance
– High satisfaction, low importance
– Low satisfaction, low importance
– Low satisfaction, high importance
Satisfaction vs. Performance
Frequency on Sat/Sun and Weekdays
Short wait time for transfers
Availability of shelters and benches
Real time information
Synthesis 75
Use of High Capacity Buses
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Infrastructure
Acceleration
Turning issues
Fuel Economy
Dwell Time
Scheduling
TCRP Report 28
Transit Markets of the Future
University of Arizona
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Low income workers
Workers without cars
Workers with college education
Workers with graduate school
Workers, age 17 to 29
Immigrants, less than 10 years in USA
Workers with mobility limitations
Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Women
CUTR
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Center for Urban Transportation Research
University of South Florida
www.cutr.usf.edu
Created in 1988
45 full time faculty
CUTR Transit Areas
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National Center for Transit Research
National Bus Rapid Transit Institute
Transit Management Institute
TDM Research and Training
Recent Research
• Analysis of Contracting Fixed Route Service
– 79% partial contracting in 2009
– 29% complete in 2009, none in 1998
• Competing data
• Benefits and Risks
• Best Practices 1998 to 2009
Florida Privatization Study
Recent Articles
University Traveler Value of
Potential Real-Time Transit
Information (July, 2011)
Evaluate benefits, determine modal changes
Clemson (CAT) study, 19,000 students
Reducing waiting anxiety greatest benefit
Perceived wait time (9% vs.30%)
Positive individual experience yields more
transit trips
Recent Articles
Style versus Service?
An Analysis of User
Perceptions of
Transit Stops and Stations
Frequent service preferred
Safe environment
Appearance not important
Recent Articles
Pedestrian Environments and Transit
Ridership
Composite index of walkability based
on land use, density, and street patterns
Changes in built environment produce
changes in travel mode
ACCESS – UC Berkley
Quarterly Report
World View
Transit, Auto, Land Use Research
Dr. Shoup – Unlimited Access
Parking pricing
When am I Going to Study Research?
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Dwie godziny w tygodniu
Dwy awr yr wythnos
Два часа в неделю
每週兩小時
Dos horas a la semana
Dve uri na teden
Hai giờ mỗi tuần
Two hours per week
Next Steps
• APTA University – Transit Conference
– Fargo, ND
April, 2012
• Discuss ideas with your peers
• Commit two hours per week to research
• Call Bob: 515-231-1370