01047651

Component

The paper describes the qualitative and quantitative research methods that were used to assess current customer perceptions of, and improvement priorities for, New York City Transit’s rapid rail stations. The qualitative research used a mobile focus group facility which was moved to each of the stations being studied. The quantitative research used a survey instrument that included trade-off scenarios structured to support maximum difference scaling conjoint (MaxDiff) to evaluate transit customers’ preferences for proposed station improvements. The focus groups were designed to include both a guided station tour that allowed participants to observe key station features followed immediately by a traditional focus group discussion of those features. The mobile focus group facility provided a very convenient and cost-effective venue for the focus group discussion. Participants were not required to travel beyond the station that was being evaluated, which in most cases was either their home station or along their normal trip route. The quantitative research included a set of MaxDiff scenarios as part of a short intercept survey. The responses to these scenarios supported an analysis of customer preferences among 11 types of station improvements.

01042056

07-1614

English

14p

2007

Transportation Research Board 86th Annual Meeting

CD-ROM

Figures; Maps; Photos; References (4) ; Tables (3)

Customer satisfaction; Improvements; Line extensions (Rail transit); Public transit; Rail transit facilities; Rail transit stations; Rapid transit cars; Routes; Surveys

New York (New York)

Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Railroads; Terminals and Facilities

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2007 Paper #07-1614

TRIS, TRB

Feb 8 2007 6:16PM