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• 1. [Article] Analysis of Transit Signal Priority Using Archived TriMet Bus Dispatch System Data

  This paper presents findings on changes in bus running times, on-time performance, and excess passenger wait times following implementation of transit signal priority in select bus corridors in the Portland ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Analysis of Transit Signal Priority Using Archived TriMet Bus Dispatch System Data Author: Kimpel, Thomas J., Strathman, James G., Bertini, Robert L., Callas, Steve Year: 2005 This paper presents findings on changes in bus running times, on-time performance, and excess passenger wait times following implementation of transit signal priority in select bus corridors in the Portland metropolitan region. Analysis of the effectiveness of transit signal priority is often undertaken using simulation techniques or empirical studies that are either limited in scope and/or data availability. The present research uses an abundance of trip-level data collected from TriMet’s Bus Dispatch System. The study focuses on the most common performance measures of interest to both transit operators and passengers. Our study shows that the expected benefits of TSP are not consistent across routes and time periods, nor are they consistent across the various performance measures. We believe that benefits of transit signal priority will accrue only as the result of extensive evaluation and adjustment initial deployment. In most cases, an ongoing performance monitoring and adjustment program should be implemented in order to maximize the benefits of transit signal priority. Title: Analysis of Transit Signal Priority Using Archived TriMet Bus Dispatch System Data Author: Kimpel, Thomas J., Strathman, James G., Bertini, Robert L., Callas, Steve Year: 2005 This paper presents findings on changes in bus running times, on-time performance, and excess passenger wait times following implementation of transit signal priority in select bus corridors in the Portland metropolitan region. Analysis of the effectiveness of transit signal priority is often undertaken using simulation techniques or empirical studies that are either limited in scope and/or data availability. The present research uses an abundance of trip-level data collected from TriMet’s Bus Dispatch System. The study focuses on the most common performance measures of interest to both transit operators and passengers. Our study shows that the expected benefits of TSP are not consistent across routes and time periods, nor are they consistent across the various performance measures. We believe that benefits of transit signal priority will accrue only as the result of extensive evaluation and adjustment initial deployment. In most cases, an ongoing performance monitoring and adjustment program should be implemented in order to maximize the benefits of transit signal priority. Close

• 2. [Article] Tri-Met's Experience With Automatic Passenger Counter and Automatic Vehicle Location Systems

  The Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (Tri-Met) is one of about 30 metropolitan transit agencies that have deployed both automatic vehicle location (AVL) and automatic passenger ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Tri-Met's Experience With Automatic Passenger Counter and Automatic Vehicle Location Systems Author: Strathman, James G. Year: 2002 The Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (Tri-Met) is one of about 30 metropolitan transit agencies that have deployed both automatic vehicle location (AVL) and automatic passenger counter (APC) systems (Casey, 1999). These technologies are important components of the agency’s new automated bus dispatching system (BDS). The AVL and APC systems at Tri-Met recover comprehensive operations and passenger activity data at the bus stop level that is archived for later analysis. The agency has gained a reputation as an industry leader in the areas of data archiving and the application of archived data to performance monitoring and analysis. Prior to the implementation of AVL and APC technology, Tri-Met, like others in the transit industry, relied on costly manual data recovery. During lean budget years in the early 1980s, the agency began using stand-alone APCs instead of ride checkers, and recovered very little operating data beyond what was required for Federal Transit Administration reporting. With its AVL and APC systems, Tri-Met is now automatically collecting and archiving over 500,000 stop and event data records per day. Offline analysis of this data supports a wide array of agency activities. The transformation from scarce to abundant data has contributed to a variety of functional changes that have both enhanced service quality and improved efficiency. This report examines factors related to the development of Tri-Met’s BDS that have contributed to its success in data archiving and analysis. The organization of the report includes a description of the BDS, a review of the types of analyses that have been supported by archived data, a discussion of factors that influenced decisions made on the design of the system, reflections on unrealized expectations and missed opportunities, and concluding observations. Title: Tri-Met's Experience With Automatic Passenger Counter and Automatic Vehicle Location Systems Author: Strathman, James G. Year: 2002 The Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (Tri-Met) is one of about 30 metropolitan transit agencies that have deployed both automatic vehicle location (AVL) and automatic passenger counter (APC) systems (Casey, 1999). These technologies are important components of the agency’s new automated bus dispatching system (BDS). The AVL and APC systems at Tri-Met recover comprehensive operations and passenger activity data at the bus stop level that is archived for later analysis. The agency has gained a reputation as an industry leader in the areas of data archiving and the application of archived data to performance monitoring and analysis. Prior to the implementation of AVL and APC technology, Tri-Met, like others in the transit industry, relied on costly manual data recovery. During lean budget years in the early 1980s, the agency began using stand-alone APCs instead of ride checkers, and recovered very little operating data beyond what was required for Federal Transit Administration reporting. With its AVL and APC systems, Tri-Met is now automatically collecting and archiving over 500,000 stop and event data records per day. Offline analysis of this data supports a wide array of agency activities. The transformation from scarce to abundant data has contributed to a variety of functional changes that have both enhanced service quality and improved efficiency. This report examines factors related to the development of Tri-Met’s BDS that have contributed to its success in data archiving and analysis. The organization of the report includes a description of the BDS, a review of the types of analyses that have been supported by archived data, a discussion of factors that influenced decisions made on the design of the system, reflections on unrealized expectations and missed opportunities, and concluding observations. Close

• 3. [Article] Overlooked Destinations: Suburban Nodes, Centers, and Trips to Strips

  This study looks at travel to typical suburban commercial strips by residents living within one-third of a mile of the strip by focusing on six sites – four in the Portland, OR., metro area and two in ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Overlooked Destinations: Suburban Nodes, Centers, and Trips to Strips Author: Larco, Nico, Parker, Robert Year: 2013 This study looks at travel to typical suburban commercial strips by residents living within one-third of a mile of the strip by focusing on six sites – four in the Portland, OR., metro area and two in the Atlanta, GA., metro area. The study mapped pedsheds around the commercial strips in these sites and found significant increases in network extents when formal and informal pedestrian paths were added to street centerline data. Informal networks such as goat paths through vacant land and cuts in fences were widespread and suggest a pent-up demand for route directness. Travel surveys of residents found significant amounts of walking and biking in these areas – just over one-third of all trips to the commercial strip – with travel distance and walking along or across arterials affecting mode choice. This suggests network extent and connectivity to be a critical factor in increasing walking and biking in these suburban areas. Resident motivations behind mode choice included convenience (which mode is easiest); cost (active travel is less expensive than auto travel); and culture (a pattern of driving or active travel, regardless of ease or cost). There was little variation across sites, suggesting that this level of active travel and the motivations behind it are fairly consistent, with a few variations, across income and geography. Title: Overlooked Destinations: Suburban Nodes, Centers, and Trips to Strips Author: Larco, Nico, Parker, Robert Year: 2013 This study looks at travel to typical suburban commercial strips by residents living within one-third of a mile of the strip by focusing on six sites – four in the Portland, OR., metro area and two in the Atlanta, GA., metro area. The study mapped pedsheds around the commercial strips in these sites and found significant increases in network extents when formal and informal pedestrian paths were added to street centerline data. Informal networks such as goat paths through vacant land and cuts in fences were widespread and suggest a pent-up demand for route directness. Travel surveys of residents found significant amounts of walking and biking in these areas – just over one-third of all trips to the commercial strip – with travel distance and walking along or across arterials affecting mode choice. This suggests network extent and connectivity to be a critical factor in increasing walking and biking in these suburban areas. Resident motivations behind mode choice included convenience (which mode is easiest); cost (active travel is less expensive than auto travel); and culture (a pattern of driving or active travel, regardless of ease or cost). There was little variation across sites, suggesting that this level of active travel and the motivations behind it are fairly consistent, with a few variations, across income and geography. Close