2013 Session: 419

• Graph Theoretic Approach for Public Transit Connectivity in Multimodal Transportation Networks
  Abstract: Connectivity plays a crucial role as agencies at the federal and state level focus on expanding the public transit system to meet the demands of a multimodal transportation system. Transit agencies have a need to explore mechanisms to improve connectivity by improving transit service. This requires a systemic approach to develop measures that can prioritize the allocation of funding to locations that provide greater connectivity, or in some cases direct funding towards underperforming areas. In this paper, we propose measures to determine connectivity from a graph theoretic approach for all levels of transit service coverage integrating routes, schedules, socio-economic, demographic, and spatial activity patterns. The objective of using connectivity as an indicator is to quantify and evaluate transit service in terms of prioritizing transit locations for funding; providing service delivery strategies, especially for areas with large multi-jurisdictional, multi-modal transit networks; providing an indicator of multi-level transit capacity for planning purposes; assessing the effectiveness and efficiency for node/stop prioritization; and making a user-friendly tool to determine locations with highest connectivity while choosing transit as a mode of travel. An example problem shows how the graph theoretic approach can be used as a tool to incorporate transit specific variables in the indicator formulations and compares the advantage of the proposed approach compared to its previous counterparts. Then the proposed framework is applied to the comprehensive transit network in the Washington-Baltimore region. The proposed analysis offers reliable indicators that can be used as tools for determining the transit connectivity of a multimodal transportation network. Key Words: public transportation, connectivity, graph theory, multimodal transit network
  Authors: Mishra, Sabyasachee; Welch, Timothy F.; Jha, Manoj K.
  Authors: Mishra, Sabyasachee; Welch, Timothy F.; Jha, Manoj K.
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation
  Session: 419
  Paper Number: 13-0157
• Bus Network Design: Two Genetic Algorithm-Based Approaches
  Abstract: In this paper a new approach for bus network design have been presented, these two approaches take into account the effects of three stages out of the four steps of the bus planning process. The introduced model includes three major steps; 1- Network Design Procedure (NDP). 2- Frequency Determination and Assignment Procedure (FDAP). 3- Network Evaluation Procedure (NEP). Genetic Algorithm has been used for the solution of this problem, because of its capability for solving large and complex problems. Two genetic Algorithms coding have been developed in the present paper; the first model is good for small and medium networks and the second one is good for medium and large networks. Optimization of bus assignment to depots is another important issue in the bus system planning process that has been inserted in the presented model. Finally, our model has been tested on Mandl’s bus network that is a benchmark Swiss network and has been initially used by Mandl and later by Baaj and Mahmassani and Kidwai and Chakroborty and Zhao. Comparisons have shown that the model presented in this paper is superior to those past researches. Meanwhile, none of the previous approaches optimized depot assignment. Then sensitive analysis on GA parameters and discussion about computation time has been presented. After the proposed model has been evaluated, the bus network of Mashhad city has been designed with the introduced model methodology.
  Authors: Khaksar, Hasan
  Authors: Khaksar, Hasan
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation
  Session: 419
  Paper Number: 13-0929
• Understanding Transit Ridership Demand for Multidestination, Multimodal Transit Network in Atlanta, Georgia: Lessons for Increasing Rail Transit Choice Ridership While Maintaining Transit-Dependent Bus Ridership
  Abstract: This study analyzes the structure of transit demand in different segments of Atlanta’s transit system, a multi-destination, rail and bus network, to understand why different elements of the network appeal to transit-dependent and choice riders. We estimate direct demand models of transit work trip use by self-identified bus and rail riders between pairs of traffic analysis zones. We find that self-identified bus riders exhibit transit-dependent characteristics. They come from poorer areas having fewer autos per household and seek to reach jobs scattered throughout the metropolitan area. They want a grid of bus and rail routes connecting them to the region’s employment centers with faster, more direct and more frequent service with better amenities at transfer points. Their demand is highly elastic. They care not about the presence or absence of TOD attributes at either trip origins or destinations. On the other hand, self-identified rail riders exhibit choice rider characteristics. They primarily access transit by automobile and want fast service to within convenient walking distance of employment, such as in the CBD and some but not all TODs. The results suggest that a transit agency could increase ridership by both rider groups by developing a core network of higher speed lines (either bus or rail) that operate through an urban region’s job-rich corridors with stations about 1.5 miles apart that offer easy walks to jobs within a ½ mile radius. Additional choice riders might be attracted to rail transit by redeveloping destination station areas as mixed use, walkable, pedestrian-friendly environments.
  Authors: Brown, Jeffrey R.; Thompson, Gregory Lee; Bhattacharya, Torsha; Jaroszynski, Michal A.
  Authors: Brown, Jeffrey R.; Thompson, Gregory Lee; Bhattacharya, Torsha; Jaroszynski, Michal A.
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation
  Session: 419
  Paper Number: 13-1029
• Understanding Mobility Behavior in Areas with Seasonal Variations of Transport Demand
  Abstract: The presented research addresses the topic of mobility management and in particular customer satisfaction in touristic destinations that suffer from the seasonal variations of transport demand. The paper demonstrates that the research conducted so far addressing the factors that affect the transit choices of tourists, residents and other target groups in touristic areas is very limited.In this respect, the research aims to contribute to the existing knowledge by investigating the underlying unobserved factors that influence transit ridership as well as the levels of satisfaction when using transit services of both tourists and residents in touristic areas in the peak summer period and in winter. The popular tourism destination of the Island of Kos in Greece was used as the case study for this research, while two appropriate statistical methods were employed, Factor Analysis and Ordered Probit models.According to the analysis, the most significant factor for the tourists when deciding to use public transport is service production, reflecting route frequencies and reliability of service. On the contrary, residents place more focus on qualitative aspects such as comfort, safety and information. Furthermore, a common factor that holds a high position in the preferences of both tourists and residents is transfer quality, comprising attributes related to transfer coordination.The paper presents in detail the results derived from the two analyses and discusses the use of these results by local authorities in order to adjust their policy plans accordingly and to define actions that can better tackle the residents and tourists’ needs and expectations.
  Authors: Antoniou, Constantinos; Tyrinopoulos, Yannis
  Authors: Antoniou, Constantinos; Tyrinopoulos, Yannis
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation
  Session: 419
  Paper Number: 13-2093
• Integrated Decision Model of Mode, Line, and Frequency Reflecting Changes in Travelers¡¯ Behaviors
  Abstract: Decision-making for public transit planning includes a variety of choices. Among them, the choices of mode, line, and frequency are key elements that influence travel demand; thus, the previous literature has focused on developing models for determining these elements separately, even though mode, line configuration, and frequency should be determined simultaneously. Doing so is essential because mode selection provides the constraint conditions that are applicable for line configuration and decisions concerning the frequency of operation. Furthermore, line configuration and frequency also influence capacity and speed, which are closely related to the selected mode. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to develop a decision model that integrates mode, line, and frequency for a new transit line. The model has a bi-level structure in which the upper level of the model is formulated to determine mode selection, line configuration, and frequency, whereas the lower level of the model is formulated to determine mode share and link flows reflecting travelers¡¯ behaviors related to choices of modes and routes. An application of the proposed model is presented using a test network. The results of this application show that the proposed model performs better than the existing methods that are used in the pertinent literature. The model simulates realistically the influence of a new transit line on its surrounding network by reflecting changes in travelers¡¯ behaviors according to the transit line¡¯s construction, and it also provides a theoretical basis for the evaluation of the feasibility of the planned investment in a new transit system.
  Authors: Kim, Hyo-Seung; Lee, Yong-Gwan; Kim, Dong-Kyu; Kho, Seung-Young; Lee, Chungwon
  Authors: Kim, Hyo-Seung; Lee, Yong-Gwan; Kim, Dong-Kyu; Kho, Seung-Young; Lee, Chungwon
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation
  Session: 419
  Paper Number: 13-0217
• Integrated Decision Model of Mode, Line, and Frequency Reflecting Changes in Travelers Behaviors
  Authors: Kim, Hyo-Seung
  Authors: Kim, Hyo-Seung
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation
  Session: 419
  Paper Number: 13-0217
• Understanding Mobility Behavior in Areas with Seasonal Variations of Transport Demand
  Authors: Antoniou, Constantinos
  Authors: Antoniou, Constantinos
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation
  Session: 419
  Paper Number: 13-2093
• Graph Theoretic Approach for Public Transit Connectivity in Multimodal Transportation Networks
  Authors: Welch, Timothy
  Authors: Welch, Timothy
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation
  Session: 419
  Paper Number: 13-0157
• Bus Network Design: Two Genetic Algorithm-Based Approaches
  Authors: Khaksar, Hasan
  Authors: Khaksar, Hasan
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation
  Session: 419
  Paper Number: 13-0929
• Understanding Transit Ridership Demand for Multidestination, Multimodal Transit Network in Atlanta, Georgia: Lessons for Increasing Rail Transit Choice Ridership While Maintaining Transit-Dependent Bus Ridership
  Authors: Brown, Jeffrey
  Authors: Brown, Jeffrey
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation
  Session: 419
  Paper Number: 13-1029