Using GTFS to Calculate Travel Time Savings Potential of Bus Preferential Treatments

Author(s):  
Daniel Arias ◽  
Kara Todd ◽  
Jennifer Krieger ◽  
Spencer Maddox ◽  
Pearse Haley ◽  
...  

Dedicated bus lanes and other transit priority treatments are a cost-effective way to improve transit speed and reliability. However, creating a bus lane can be a contentious process; it requires justification to the public and frequently entails competition for federal grants. In addition, more complex bus networks are likely to have unknown locations where transit priority infrastructure would provide high value to riders. This analysis presents a methodology for estimating the value of bus preferential treatments for all segments of a given bus network. It calculates the passenger-weighted travel time savings potential for each inter-stop segment based on schedule padding. The input data, ridership data, and General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) trip-stop data are universally accessible to transit agencies. This study examines the 2018 Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) bus network and identifies a portion of route 39 on Buford Highway as an example candidate for a bus lane corridor. The results are used to evaluate the value of time savings to passengers, operating cost savings to the agency, and other benefits that would result from implementing bus lanes on Buford Highway. This study does not extend to estimating the cost of transit priority infrastructure or recommending locations based on traffic flow characteristics. However, it does provide a reproducible methodology to estimate the value of transit priority treatments, and it identifies locations with high value, all using data that are readily available to transit agencies. Conducting this analysis provides a foundation for beginning the planning process for transit priority infrastructure.

OUSL Journal ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (0) ◽  
pp. 77
Author(s):  
K. S. Weerasekera ◽  
K. M. G. N. S. Kumara ◽  
V. K. M. Pinnagoda

Author(s):  
Abubakr Ziedan ◽  
Cassidy Crossland ◽  
Candace Brakewood ◽  
Philip Pugliese ◽  
Harrison Ooi

Many transit agencies are considering or implementing bus network redesigns. Considering this growing trend, this study investigates the preferences of local residents for a proposed bus network redesign in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The study uses survey data collected by the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority and its partners as part of a bus network redesign planning process. Using the survey data, three logit models are estimated to explore preferences between different bus network redesign philosophies, transit network improvements, and willingness to pay for proposed transit improvements and expansion. There are three main findings. First, respondents who ride the bus prefer access to more places over frequent bus service, whereas non-riders prefer more frequent transit service. Second, the models suggest that younger generations are more supportive of transit improvements than older age groups. Third, people living near bus routes and those with higher income levels are more willing to pay for proposed transit improvements. The findings of this study should inform transit agencies that are considering or are in the process of redesigning their bus networks.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jawaher Binsuwadan ◽  
Gerard De Jong ◽  
Richard Batley ◽  
Phill Wheat

AbstractThe value of freight travel time savings (VFTTS) is a monetary value that is considered an important input into cost–benefit analysis and traffic forecasting. The VFTTS is defined as the marginal rate of substitution between travel time and cost and may therefore differ across firms, time and countries. The paper aims to explain variations in the VFTTS by using the meta-analysis method. The analysis covers 106 monetary valuations extracted from 56 studies conducted from 1988 to 2018 in countries across the globe. The meta-analysis method determines the factors that have an impact on these VFTTS variations. The paper briefly introduces the VFTTS concept and describes the adopted meta-analysis methodology, wherein different meta-models are used in VFTTS estimations. The results highlight the necessity of including multiple explanatory variables to ensure adequate explanation of the VFTTS variations. The findings also show that GDP per capita, transport mode and type of survey respondent are statistically significant variables. The paper sheds some light on the variations, thereby advancing the understanding of each factor’s effects on the VFTTS. Furthermore, meta-model outcomes are used to generate new values of travel time savings for different transport modes in freight transport, for several countries. These implied VFTTS can be used as benchmarks to assess existing evidence or provide new evidence to countries where no such values exist.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 101074
Author(s):  
Stefan Flügel ◽  
Knut Veisten ◽  
Hanne Beate Sundfør ◽  
Guri Natalie Jordbakke ◽  
Nina Hulleberg ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Lucas Meyer de Freitas ◽  
Oliver Schuemperlin ◽  
Milos Balac ◽  
Francesco Ciari

This paper shows an application of the multiagent, activity-based transport simulation MATSim to evaluate equity effects of a congestion charging scheme. A cordon pricing scheme was set up for a scenario of the city of Zurich, Switzerland, to conduct such an analysis. Equity is one of the most important barriers toward the implementation of a congestion charging system. After the challenges posed by equity evaluations are examined, it is shown that agent-based simulations with heterogeneous values of time allow for an increased level of detail in such evaluations. Such detail is achieved through a high level of disaggregation and with a 24-h simulation period. An important difference from traditional large-scale models is the low degree of correlation between travel time savings and welfare change. While traditional equity analysis is based on travel time savings, MATSim shows that choice dimensions not included in traditional models, such as departure time changes, can also play an important role in equity effects. The analysis of the results in light of evidence from the literature shows that agent-based models are a promising tool to conduct more complete equity evaluations not only of congestion charges but also of transport policies in general.


Author(s):  
Venkata R. Duddu ◽  
Srinivas S. Pulugurtha ◽  
Praveena Penmetsa

State agencies, regional agencies, cities, towns, and local municipalities design and maintain transportation systems for the benefit of users by improving mobility, reducing travel time, and enhancing safety. Cost–benefit analysis based on travel time savings and the value of reliability helps these agencies in prioritizing transportation projects or when evaluating transportation alternatives. This paper illustrates the use of monetary values of travel time savings and travel time reliability, computed for the state of North Carolina, to help assess the impact of transportation projects or alternatives. The results obtained indicate that, based on the illustration of the effect and impact of various transportation projects or alternatives, both improved travel time and reliability on roads yield significant monetary benefits. However, from cost–benefit analysis, it is observed that greater benefits can be achieved through improved reliability compared with benefits from a decrease in travel time for a given section of road.


1990 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
DAVID A. HENSHER ◽  
FRANK W. MILTHORPE ◽  
NARIIDA C. SMITH ◽  
PETER O. BARNARD

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