using transit research in university transit service

Bullet Points

BUS CONChicagoSeptember, 2011

Using Transit Researchin University Transit Service

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

• 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 CooperativeResearch Program

• Reports - research• Synthesis – current practice• Legal Digest – for attorneys• Research Results Digest – interim info

TCRP Research AreasA. 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 191996 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 39Transportation 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 36Market 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 95Traveler Response to

Transportation System Change• Frequency• Routing• Marketing• Pricing

TCRP 111Elements 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 100Transit 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 100LOS Schedule Adherence

TCRP 100LOS Travel Time Comparison

Frequency and Loading

TCRP Report 47Measuring Customer Satisfaction

and Service QualitySatisfaction vs ImportanceQuadrant 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 WeekdaysShort wait time for transfersAvailability of shelters and benchesReal time information

Synthesis 75Use of High Capacity Buses

• Infrastructure• Acceleration• Turning issues• Fuel Economy• Dwell Time• Scheduling

TCRP Report 28Transit Markets of the Future

University of Arizona• 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

• Center for Urban Transportation Research• University of South Florida• www.cutr.usf.edu• Created in 1988• 45 full time faculty

CUTR Transit Areas

• 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 ArticlesUniversity 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 ofTransit Stops and Stations

Frequent service preferred

Safe environment

Appearance not important

Recent Articles

Pedestrian Environments and Transit Ridership

Composite index of walkability basedon 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 AccessParking pricing

When am I Going to Study Research?• 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