01475680

Component

This research investigates bus passengers’ activity patterns and the usage of smart devices at bus stops and on buses. Using both passive observations and self-reported surveys mainly from college students in Vancouver, Canada, it found that the majority of passengers used their time actively instead of doing nothing. Most of the observed active activities are associated with the usage of smart devices. Although the possession of smart devices is prevalent, only a small portion of passengers (less than a third) actually use them during travel. A variety of environmental and trip factors, personal attributes, and past experiences influence the usage of smart devices, but only explain the variation marginally. Research also found that the usage of smart devices encourages multitasking both at bus stops and on buses. Smart phones are the most conducive to multitasking, followed by iPod/MP3 players, and iPads/tablets.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AP020 Emerging and Innovative Public Transport and Technologies.

01470560

13-4274

English

17p

2013

Transportation Research Board 92nd Annual Meeting

Digital/other

References; Tables

Bus travel; College students; Multitasking; Passengers; Smartphones; Surveys; Time duration; Time management

MP3 players; Tablet computers

Vancouver (Canada)

Data and Information Technology; Passenger Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2013 Paper #13-4274

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Feb 5 2013 12:50PM