2013 Session: 794

• Influence of Light-Rail Transit on Transit Uses: Exploration of Station Area Residents Along Hiawatha Line in Minneapolis, Minnesota
  Abstract: New rail transit lines replace busy bus corridors. When implying the ridership bonus of a new rail line, previous studies often choose the city/county/region as controls for rail station areas, as opposed to a comparable corridor without rail, and hence tend to overstate its impact. Using the Hiawatha line as a case, this study explores the impacts of light rail transit (LRT) on transit uses. We find that the LRT promotes transit uses of residents who have moved to the corridor before its opening, but it has a limited ability to attract heavy transit users and does not generate significant ridership benefits from residents who moved to the corridor after its opening.
  Authors: Cao, Xinyu; Schoner, Jessica E.
  Authors: Cao, Xinyu; Schoner, Jessica E.
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Public Transportation
  Session: 794
  Paper Number: 13-0277
• Factors That Influence Urban Streetcar Ridership in the United States
  Abstract: A number of streetcar lines, designed to serve as urban circulators, have been completed in the past 15 years in the United States. Many more are either in the implementation or planning stages. Much of the previous literature on fixed-guideway ridership forecasting focuses on light rail or regional rail lines that primarily serve commute markets, much different than the travel markets served by these new streetcar lines. This research seeks to improve the understanding of the factors that influence urban streetcar ridership. Extensive data on ridership, station area characteristics, route configuration, transit network connectivity and special generators were collected for modern streetcar lines in Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and Tacoma, Washington. Regression models were used to measure the influence of different variables on ridership. Three urban streetcar ridership models are presented with adjusted R Squared values ranging from 0.74 to 0.76. Variables found to have a statistically significant influence on streetcar ridership include feeder rail, retail and residential accessibility, distance to closest station, free stations, start-of-line stations, and special generators including hotels, colleges, hospitals and entertainment centers.
  Authors: Foletta, Nicole C.; Vanderkwaak, Nick; Grandy, Bob
  Authors: Foletta, Nicole C.; Vanderkwaak, Nick; Grandy, Bob
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Public Transportation
  Session: 794
  Paper Number: 13-3388
• Model for Light-Rail Transit Operation and Maintenance Cost to Perform Sensitivity Analysis
  Abstract: A Light Rail Transit (LRT) Operation and Maintenance (O & M) cost model was developed using various system attributes namely Route Miles, Train Revenue-Hours, Car Revenue-Miles and Peak LRT Cars. System attributes and cost data of twelve peer LRT facilities from 2004-2008 were collected in this context. Using a regression technique, five sets of Power Factor Models (PFM) representing Total O & M cost, Vehicle operation cost, Vehicle maintenance cost, Non-vehicle cost and Administrative cost were derived. The Total O & M cost computed by PFM as well as by the weighted Fully Allocated Cost (FAC) method were compared. It was observed that Total O & M cost computed using PFM is closer to the actual cost. Distribution of predicted Vehicle operating cost, Vehicle maintenance cost, Non-vehicle cost and Administrative cost closely matched the observed distribution. Also, as a part of this study, a set of computation tools (three Nomo-graphs and utility cost calculator) were established to serve as a quick response instrument to estimate Total O & M cost, Vehicle operation cost and Non-vehicle maintenance cost as well as to perform sensitivity analysis.
  Authors: Dutta, Utpal; Zhong, Xiaohui
  Authors: Dutta, Utpal; Zhong, Xiaohui
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Public Transportation
  Session: 794
  Paper Number: 13-0888
  Practice-Ready: Yes
• Rethinking Light-Rail Transit Planning in Hamilton, Ontario: A Comparative Review and Critical Assessment
  Abstract: The Province of Ontario is in the midst of an unprecedented expansion of light rail transit [LRT]. But what factors are behind the determination to build LRT? The case of light rail in Hamilton offers important insights into the tangible and intangible motivations and justifications that inform the light rail transit planning process. The decision to construct LRT is based on the tangible goals of city-building and increasing economic development, revitalization, land use change, and transit ridership. The planning process is also based on the intangible symbolic goals of city branding, differentiation, and image-led planning as a means of altering perceptions and increasing competitiveness. However, an extensive review of the literature demonstrates that a series of prerequisites that must be in place if an investment in light rail is to achieve these goals. Applying this knowledge to the case of Hamilton reveals a project that faces significant challenges to inducing land use change and altering perceptions. The research presents several lessons relevant to planners and policymakers involved in the light rail transit planning process.
  Authors: Higgins, Chris; Ferguson, Mark; Kanaroglou, Pavlos
  Authors: Higgins, Chris; Ferguson, Mark; Kanaroglou, Pavlos
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Public Transportation
  Session: 794
  Paper Number: 13-3780
  Practice-Ready: Yes
• Influence of Light-Rail Transit on Transit Uses: Exploration of Station Area Residents Along Hiawatha Line in Minneapolis, Minnesota
  Authors: Schoner, Jessica
  Authors: Schoner, Jessica
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Public Transportation
  Session: 794
  Paper Number: 13-0277
• Model for Light-Rail Transit Operation and Maintenance Cost to Perform Sensitivity Analysis
  Authors: Dutta, Utpal
  Authors: Dutta, Utpal
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Public Transportation
  Session: 794
  Paper Number: 13-0888
• Factors That Influence Urban Streetcar Ridership in the United States
  Authors: Foletta, Nicole
  Authors: Foletta, Nicole
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Public Transportation
  Session: 794
  Paper Number: 13-3388
• Rethinking Light-Rail Transit Planning in Hamilton, Ontario: A Comparative Review and Critical Assessment
  Authors: Higgins, Christopher
  Authors: Higgins, Christopher
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Public Transportation
  Session: 794
  Paper Number: 13-3780