The TBEST Framework for Data Analysis and Forecasting
Rodney P. Bunner
October 16, 2013
l
Public Transit Modeling
Center for Urban Transportation Research | University of South Florida
Agenda
1. Motivation and Use
2. GIS Specifications
3. TBEST Framework Components
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Data Management
Data Interoperability
Data Requirements
Model Engine
Analysis and Reports
4. Next Steps
Motivation
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FDOT/planners wanted a software tool for
short-term transit service planning – designed
specifically for transit.
Serve as FDOT provided ridership estimation
technique for State mandated Transit
Development Plans (TDPs)
Transit Boardings Estimation and Simulation
Tool (TBEST) has been in production for several
years and is on its 4th Major Version (4.1).
FDOT is continually supporting the
improvement of TBEST.
TBEST in Florida
Major Benefits:
 Standardized modeling method to ensure consistency and
equity among agencies
 TBEST reduces burden on FDOT for evaluating a variety of
ridership estimation methodologies
 TBEST reduces burden on agencies to prepare and conduct
more expensive and complex modeling efforts
 Leverage TBEST data and software framework to support
multiple transit agency tasks:
 Service Planning
 Comprehensive
Operational Analysis (COA)
 Grant Applications
 FTA Title VI Analysis



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Mobility Studies
NTD Route Miles
Market Analysis
Network Accessibility
TBEST Elsewhere
Various projects inside and outside of Florida:
• RVTD (Oregon) Calibration and Implementation
• Los Angeles Metro Calibration
• CAT (Savannah) Strategic Plan
• TheT (Ft. Worth) Model Development
• LYNX (Orlando) Service Planning Implementation
• PennDOT Pilot Project
• PeopleMover (Anchorage, AK)
TBEST GIS Specifications
• Desktop application requiring ArcGIS 10.1 Basic license
• Utilizes ArcGIS Engine for map display, spatial analysis
and network editing
• SQL Server 2008 R2 (Express or Enterprise editions)
• No Network Analyst or ArcSDE required
• Utilizes ESRI Map Services, Bing Maps or preformatted
.mxd for base map
• No fee for TBEST except ArcGIS license
Components – Data Management
• TBEST manages data specific to
individual transit systems
• Each transit system is composed of
scenarios which contain editable
routes, segments, stops, socioeconomic data and network attributes
• Validation specific to each transit
system
• All GIS/database files managed
internally
• Download pre-formatted SE data,
transit systems and model definition
packages
• Easily create current or future year
scenarios
TBEST managed Transit Systems
Components – Data Management
TBEST User Interface
Components – Data Interoperability
GTFS Import
– Imported networks for FL agencies with
GTFS feeds
– Utilized nationally in Ft. Worth, RVTD,
Los Angeles, Savannah
GTFS Export
– Export TBEST “planning” network into
GTFS
– Added TBEST attributes to exported data
including ridership and stop amenities
ArcGIS
– Export TBEST maps and data into ArcGIS
– Import route alignments into TBEST
from outside data sources
– Export “loaded networks” into
geodatabases
Components – Data Requirements
ORIGINAL DATA REQUIREMENTS
CURRENT DATA REQUIREMENTS
•
•
•
Census 2010
American Community Survey
•
Employment
– FDOT provided InfoUSA
address-based data
– Optionally include locally
provided zonal data
Land Use
– Florida Department of
Revenue parcel data
ITE Trip Generation Tables
Census 2000
• Employment
– FDOT provided InfoUSA
address-based data
•
•
•
Manually coded Route Network
•
•
Special Generator Specification
•
GTFS network import and full
network editor
Special Generator and Stop
Amenity Specification
Components – Model Engine
• Micro-level model which simulates transit ridership at the
level of the individual stop: by route, direction and time
period
• Designed to capture both walk access market and network
accessibility
• Model equations estimate direct and transfer boardings
• Accommodate service features of fare, speed, frequency, etc.
• Accommodate fundamental differences in route types (local,
circulator, express)
• Automated Validation – Users supply observed ridership
and TBEST calculates model application
adjustments…allows TBEST to adapt to different urban
locations without developing new model equations
(transferable)
Components – Model Engine
Multiple Model Management
Users are able to maintain multiple
model structures which can be applied
to model scenarios
Available Models
Editable Model Structures
Users can add, delete or modify
coefficients, land use trip rates, and
network and market accessibility
parameters
Components – Model Engine
BRT Sensitivity - Users specify the implementation level of
specific route-level BRT characteristics and TBEST will
adjust base ridership forecasts with an empirically derived
adjustment factor
Components – Analysis and Reports
Stop, Segment, Route and Regional distribution reports with supporting maps
Components – Analysis and Reports
Scenario Comparison and Mobility Threshold service
recommendations
Components – Analysis and Reports
TDP Summary Report - Summarizes annual service area pop,
employment, performance, and service for all scenarios in a TBEST
transit system
Components – Analysis and Reports
Land Use Market Analysis
Components – Analysis and Reports
Socio-Economic Market Analysis
Components – Analysis and Reports
Network Accessibility Analysis
Steps Underway
October 2013
– Release TBEST 4.1
– Contains online Video Tutorials
– Classroom training early 2014
January 2014
– Enhanced FTA Title VI and Environmental Justice Analysis and
Reporting
June 2014
– Parcel Editor
– Integrate Observed Ridership for COA support
October 2014
– Network Accessibility Composite Measures
CONTACT INFORMATION
Thank You!
www.tbest.org
Rodney Bunner
Transportation Technology Specialist
rbunner@cutr.usf.edu
rodbunner@hotmail.com
Steven Polzin, Ph.D.
Director Mobility Policy Research
polzin@cutr.usf.edu.
813-974-9849
Xuehao Chu, Ph.D.
Senior Research Associate
xchu@cutr.usf.edu
813-974-9831