TBEST
GTFS INTEGRATION
June 2016
TBEST TEAM
Public Sponsorship
Research-based
Methodologies
Software Development,
Implementation and Technical
Support
WHY TBEST? Transit Planning Software Gap
Operations
Trapeze
Others…
Short and mid-term
TBEST
Long Range
FSUTMS
STOPS
Others…
Ridership Estimation
Socio-Economic
Market Analysis
Land Use Market Analysis
FTA Title VI Reporting
Accessibility Analysis
Strategic Plan
Analysis
COA
Auto-mation
Tools
Support Data
TBESTScenarios
TBEST SCENARIO FRAMEWORK
1. Users develop alternative
scenarios using Support
Data and Automation
Tools
2. Scenario alternatives are
input into core TBEST
Analysis Engines
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TBEST 4.2 FRAMEWORK TOOLS
Manage Scenarios
Model Validation Tools
Socio-Economic Data Management
Transit Network Editor
GTFS Import and Export Tool
Performance Metric Query Tool
Revised Model Calibration (HART)
More Exposed Model Code (New)
Parcel Land Use Data Editor (New)
Access to Transit (New)
Access via Transit (New)
Automation Tools
TBEST 4.4 FEATURES (2016)
ArcGIS 10.4, Windows 10, SQL Server 2014
Route Realignment Tool
Operations and Policy Settings
Title VI Disparate Analysis
Title VI Flex Route/Jurisdictional Analysis
Fleet Estimates
Layover/Dwell Time
Expanded Cost Formula
Many Improvements!
TBEST GTFS UTILIZATION
GTFS integration first developed in 2010
Streamlines TBEST network coding to be a
fraction of manual coding time
Opened the door to broad TBEST
utilization beyond TDP applications
The TBEST GTFS-derived network
structure supports key editing, modeling,
analysis functions:
o Network path algorithm
o Walk access assessment
o Service-level definition
Ridership Estimation
Socio-Economic
Market Analysis
Land Use Market Analysis
FTA Title VI ReportingAccessibility
Analysis
Strategic Plan
Analysis
Operational Analysis
TBEST Editable Network
TBEST GTFS INTEROPERABILITY FEATURES
1. Network Import
Converts trip-based feed to a time-period based aggregation of trips and service levels
Users select service periods and routes to import into TBEST
2. Network Editing
Edit service levels, re-align routes, add new routes, add model specific variables (special generators, transfer stations, route type, mode)
3. Network Export
Creates a GTFS feed from the service levels in TBEST time periods
Synthesizes arrival and departure times based on route pattern headway and service span per time period
Requires no ArcGIS extensions or 3rd party tools
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GTFS OBSTACLES FOR TRANSIT MODELING
GTFS feeds can be complicated: How to determine what is the “average network”?
TBEST allows the user to select which Service ID’s to build into the network
GTFS data files/fields are often optional
TBEST GTFS import is not dependent on optional GTFS files/fields
GTFS source data can be inaccurate
TBEST allows users to visually QA/QC the imported routes/service levels
GTFS feed structures can vary greatly between transit agencies
TBEST accommodates most structures and exports GTFS to a standard format
GTFS source data does not contain some important modeling attributes
TBEST networks contain important model attributes (model validation, BRT scoring,
route types/modes, stop special generators/amenities, transfer stations)
TBEST GTFS NETWORK IMPORT WORKFLOW
1. Obtain the source GTFS from the agency or other source
2. Determine which GTFS Service ID’s will define the network
o Which Service ID’s represent an “average” or “peak” network?
May need to ask agency for clarification
3. Extend the GTFS for APC data import or network segmentation -
add stop_ridership.txt and/or timepoints.txt files (optional)
4. Filter the GTFS routes/service from the input Service ID’s
5. Select the GTFS routes and import into the target scenario
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TBEST GTFS IMPORT WORKFLOW – UPDATE MODES
1. Base Network Creation
o First time creating a network
o Creates validation collections (route pattern groupings for observed ridership)
2. Network Maintenance
o Overwrite existing routes – syncs imported routes with TBEST validation collections
o Insert new routes – Adds the GTFS route to the TBEST network
o Transfer TBEST Attributes Option – Route Type, Mode, Special Generators, Amenities, Transfer Stations are transferred from replaced routes to new route service
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1. Select the source GTFS zip file
2. Show Service ID’s within the GTFS and select those
that represent the average network
3. Filter the GTFS routes/service for the input Service
ID’s and select the GTFS routes and import into the
target scenario
TBEST GTFS NETWORK IMPORT TOOL UI
TBEST GTFS NETWORK IMPORT PROCESSING
Stage Source and Target Files
Load GTFS text files into TBEST GTFS staging SQL Server database
Copy target TBEST scenario for route loading
Aggregate Service
Maintains GTFS network structure with multiple route patterns per route direction
Retains stop name/description, route names, pattern names
Selected input GTFS Service ID’s are combined and aggregated at the route pattern level
Aggregates GTFS scheduled service by time period (trips, IVTT, service span)
Information on individual trips is eliminated during import
Insert network and service attributes into TBEST scenario database (SQL Server)
Build Network Features
Segments route patterns if time points are defined in the GTFS
Builds route-able relationship between stop locations, segments, route patterns
Insert GTFS stop and route pattern geometry (ESRI personal geodatabase)
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TBEST – SCENARIO NETWORK
TBEST NETWORK EDITING
Base Network Creation
1. Create the Base Year Development scenario
2. Import base transit agency GTFS
3. Quality check GTFS import
4. Use TBEST Network Editor to define Route Types, Modes, Transfer Stations, Special Generators and Amenities
5. Run a referenced TBEST model
6. Validate TBEST Transit System using SE growth rates and observed ridership
TBEST NETWORK EDITING
Alternative Network
1. Create TBEST alternative scenario by copying base network scenario
2. Input new service
o New routes/patterns
o New stops
o Route extensions
3. Modify existing service
o Service Span
o Headway
o Realign routes
o Remove routes, segments, stops
TBEST NETWORK EXPORT TO GTFS
Export modified TBEST network to GTFS
TBEST synthesizes trips with arrival and departure times within each
time period
Creates a simplified GTFS with only one Service ID per Weekday,
Saturday and Sunday
Simplified GTFS export structure reduces complication in service parsing
for external applications
TBEST Night time period is a twelve hour span with service in the pre-
AM and post-PM peak periods
TBEST EXPORTED GTFS
Standard GTFS tables
– simplified structure
(no
calendar_dates.txt)
Calendar.txt contains
only three service
ID’s
TBEST EXTENDS THE GTFS EXPORT
The TBEST GTFS export contains additional data which may add value to modeling applications
Consistent with the FDOT D7 GIS Architecture
Export data can be expanded support other applications (Special Generators, Peak and Off Peak
Route Headway, etc.)
1. Stops.txt
o Location_type (transfer station)
o Shelter
o Bike_rack
o Trash_can
2. Routes.txt
o Average Daily Ridership (predicted TBEST weekday boardings)
o Route Type and Mode
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o Sign
o Bench
o Park-n-Ride Parking Spaces
o Boardings (predicted TBEST weekday boardings)
QUESTIONS?
Rodney Bunner, Solutions Manager
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (727) 455-4059 www.myserviceedge.com
www.tbest.org
Chris Wiglesworth, FDOT Project Manager
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (850) 414-4532