IMPACTS OF AN ADVANCED PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM DEMONSTRATION PROJECT

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2000

Subject Area

infrastructure - interchange/transfer, planning - safety/accidents, planning - surveys, land use - impacts, ridership - drivers, ridership - attitudes, economics - benefits, mode - bus

Keywords

Timed transfer, Surveys, Safety and security, Operational tests, On time performance, Mental attitudes, Impacts, Focus groups, Demonstration projects, Data collection, Data acquisition, Bus operators, Bus drivers, Benefits, Attitudes, Arrivals and departures, APTS, Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, Advanced public transportation systems

Abstract

In 1997 the Ann Arbor (Michigan) Transportation Authority began deploying a set of integrated, advanced public transportation system technologies in its vehicles, stations, and control center. Selected findings are summarized of a multidimensional evaluation of the effects of the system on schedule adherence and transfer time, passenger perception, and drivers. Some improvement in on-time performance was observed in vehicle departures from major transfer points, though not in arrivals. Modest improvements were observed in transfer coordination for routes planned for timed transfers. Deployment of the system did not raise passengers' rating of relevant aspects of their transit experience, but impacts of individual system elements were rated favorably. Focus groups and a driver survey revealed a fundamentally favorable attitude toward the deployment of technology coupled with some concern about limitations that it might impose on driver communications and on-the-job creativity. Benefits of the system that were not apparent during the period of the evaluation but may materialize over the longer term include prevention of and response to safety- and security-related incidents and enhanced information for transit planning.

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