Factors affecting running time on transit routes: Fid-Bau Portal

Factors affecting running time on transit routes

Abkowitz, Mark D. / Engelstein, Israel

Abstract This article reports on empirical models of transit mean running time and running time deviation estimated from data collected on transit routes in Cincinnati, Ohio. In general, the models confirm prior hypotheses concerning transit running time. It was found that mean running time is strongly influenced by trip distance, people boarding and alighting, and signalized intersections. Running time deviation at early points on a route propagate as the vehicle proceeds further downstream. The running time deviation model suggests that corrective actions to instability which develops early on a transit route warrants serious consideration. Improvements may also be possible through planning shorter routes. Finally, investment strategies which emphasize improved control rather than modification of existing link characteristics may produce more reliable service. Apart from their explanatory value, the availability of empirical models which relate running time measures to transit route characteristics is seen as being useful for identifying and evaluating strategies to improve service and resource allocation on existing routes and for the introduction of new services. The models also allow for reasonable approximations of running times without the high cost of manual data collection.