ENHANCING TRANSIT IN TOURIST AREAS THROUGH IMPROVED MODELING AND PRIORITY INITIATIVES: CASE STUDY FROM AUSTRALIA
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
1999
Subject Area
infrastructure - bus/tram priority, infrastructure - bus/tram priority, infrastructure - bus/tram lane, infrastructure - bus/tram lane, planning - surveys, ridership - mode choice, technology - ticketing systems, mode - bus, mode - mass transit
Keywords
Transit, Tourists, Ticketing, Surveys, Queensland (Australia), Queensland, Public transit, Mode choice, Modal choice, Mass transit, Local transit, Gold Coast (Australia), Choice of transportation, Choice models, Case studies, Calibration, Calibrating, Bus priority, Bus lanes
Abstract
Mode choice models developed thus far have not explicitly defined visitor mode choice and have therefore assumed that the mode choice characteristics of visitors are the same as those of residents. In areas such as the Gold Coast, Australia, visitors account for over 20% of the total population and provide transit patronage levels equivalent to those of residents. With the increasing emphasis on attracting higher transit mode shares, there is a need to understand the unique combination of factors that attracts visitors to various types of transport during their stay. Results are outlined of the first phase of a two-phase research program involving surveys of visitors to calibrate visitor mode choice models. Also dealt with specifically are bus priority treatments and their applicability to tourist areas. The current trends in bus priority treatments are addressed by considering a case study for the Gold Coast Highway, located on Queensland's Gold Coast, approximately 100 km to the south of Brisbane, the capital city of the state of Queensland. An evaluation of bus priority treatments and conditions for justification for such measures is provided, and the impact of introducing bus lanes, transit lanes, bus priority at traffic signals, and improved ticketing systems for the Gold Coast Highway is summarized. The analysis indicates that journey time savings for buses of up to 20% may be achieved with these bus priority treatments.
Recommended Citation
JEPSON, D, BITZIOS, D, FERREIRA, L. (1999). ENHANCING TRANSIT IN TOURIST AREAS THROUGH IMPROVED MODELING AND PRIORITY INITIATIVES: CASE STUDY FROM AUSTRALIA. Transportation Research Record, Vol. 1669, p. 38-45.
