01333003

Component

Public transit systems offer the opportunity to address the energy-efficiency, equity and robustness of our transportation systems. For this reason, attention to research methods that are useful in improving public transit has increased. This study introduces an innovative method for evaluation of public transit networks which is particularly effective for study areas which span multiple service areas, within a state for example. The new method envisions idealized, hypothetical transit networks as a tool to evaluate the effectiveness of an existing transit system in achieving goals related to energy-efficiency and equity. This new method relies on comprehensive GIS datasets of building locations and attributes. A new measure of network-correlation, the Coincidence Ratio, is introduced to quantify the relationship between networks. The method is applied to the state of Vermont transit network to infer the implicit goals of the system and finds the existing system somewhat effective at facilitating energy-efficiency and equitable access to critical destinations. Potential for improvement is found to vary between individual providers, with larger potential for those covering more rural areas.

01329018

11-1981

English

16p

2011

Transportation Research Board 90th Annual Meeting

DVD

Maps; References (24) ; Tables (1)

Geographic information systems; Passenger transportation; Public transit; Rural areas; Spatial analysis

Energy efficiency

Vermont

Passenger Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2011 Paper #11-1981

TRIS, TRB

Feb 17 2011 6:00PM