A brief overview of key terms, service design basics and other related information for individuals interested in transit operations. The presentation covers key metrics and inputs that transit professionals use for designing service. This presentation was first presented at Transportation Camp South in Atlanta, GA on Feb 9th, 2013. The content was adapted from Transit Planning 101 by Nelson\Nygaard and presented by Paul Supawanich
5. Services Types (Fixed Route)
LOCAL – All Stops LIMITED – Some Stops EXPRESS – Few stops
DEVIATED: flexible SHUTTLES – specialized
BRT – Limited stops markets
routes
6. Service Types – Demand Response
1. General Public DAR – Dial A Ride that’s open to everyone
2. Paratransit/ADA – Dial A Ride for qualified ADA passengers
8. Basic Operating Data
• Platform Hours
Hours • Service Hours
• Revenue Hours
1. Platform Hours: An operator’s timesheet
2. Service Hours: The total hours during the day a bus is
in motion
3. Revenue Hours: The total hours during the day the
bus is “open for business”
The same logic applies for “Miles”
9. Basic Operating Data (Service Hours vs Revenue
Hours)
/
Bus
Yard
“Deadhead”
“Revenue Service”
10. Performance Indicators – Standard
Measures
Operating
Passengers / Operating Passenger Farebox
Cost / Subsidy /
Revenue Cost / /Revenue Recovery
Revenue Hour Passenger
Hour or Mile Passenger Hour Ratio
or Mile
14. Operations
Service Schedule Vehicle Schedule Operator
• Service Coverage • “Blocking” Schedule
• Service Span Assigning vehicles • “Runcutting” –
• Frequency to cover day’s work converting schedule
into actual shifts of
work for operators
15. Scheduling Terms
• Blocking – Creating vehicle assignments
• Runcutting – Turning blocks into driver work
assignments
• Layover/Recovery – and its impacts on route design
• Interline
• Trippers and Trailers
16. Scheduling Terms con’t
1. Roundtrip Cycle Time (RCT)
• The amount of roundtrip travel time, plus
layover/recovery time for one trip
• RCT can vary by time of day due to loading or traffic
conditions
17. Vehicle Type and Size
Vehicle Type Average Cost
(2010-2011
vehicles)
Articulated Bus (greater $727,213
than 55)
Standard Bus $479,585
Replica Trolley $280,490
Minibus $90,204
18. Bus Stops
• Near Side
• Far Side
• Mid-Block
• Streetside
19.
20. Coverage vs. Productivity
“Mobility for people “Get cars off the
who need it!” road!”
Low Ridership High Ridership
- but really important for the people - but no service in many places
who use it
Social-service
Senior CONSTITUENCIES Environmental
“Local Return” Fiscal Conservatives
Local Economic Development Regional Economic Development
24. Existing Conditions (Where are we now?)
• Passenger Ridecheck (ons/offs by stop) or
APC data
• Passenger Survey
• Historical Performance Data
• On-Time Performance Check
• Demographics and Projections
• Needs/Issues…Opportunities/Constraints
25.
26. Service Design (Where are we going?)
Community input and values
• Service area needs
• Coverage vs. Productivity
• Resource allocation
• Budget cuts
27. Service Design (Where are we going?)
con’t
Network Design
• Pulse vs. Grid
• Interlines
• Minimizing transfers
• Determining # of Routes
• Estimating Revenue hours
• Estimating Revenue miles
• Determining Peak vehicles
• Estimating Ridership
28. Final Report (The Plan)
• Performance Standards
• Service Plan (3-5 years detailed, 5-20 years conceptual)
• Vehicle/Capital Plan
• Financial Plan
• Implementation Plan
29. Implementation (Ready, Set, Go!)
• Changing signs/steps and headsigns
• Changing printed material
• Field testing routes
• Finalize schedules
• Marketing/outreach/announcements
Basic Transit Terminology The Transit Planning Process Basic service design criteria
Local – All stops Limited – Limited stops and limited operating period Express – Very few stops, long distances Bus Rapid Transit – Limited stops, high frequency (< 15 minutes), all day Deviated - Small bus flex service for low density areas Shuttles – Usually single market, small bus services
Revenue Hours vs. Vehicle Service Hours? What is “Deadhead?” Passengers Operating Costs (contract vs. fully loaded) Revenue Miles Revenue Hours Fare Revenue
Revenue Hours vs. Vehicle Service Hours? What is “Deadhead?” Passengers Operating Costs (contract vs. fully loaded) Revenue Miles Revenue Hours Fare Revenue
Revenue Hours vs. Vehicle Service Hours? What is “Deadhead?” Passengers Operating Costs (contract vs. fully loaded) Revenue Miles Revenue Hours Fare Revenue
Op Cost/Rev Hr Op Cost/Pass Subsidy/Pass Pass/Rev Hr Pass/Rev Mi Farebox Recovery Ratio Talk about “Miles per Hour” not in actual speed, but the revenue miles covered in the amount of hours.
Figured for MARTA – 2012 – 2011 NTD Data. Op Cost/Rev Hour and Op Cost / Pax for bus only. FRR is for entire system.
Figured for MARTA – 2012 – 2011 NTD Data. Op Cost/Rev Hour and Op Cost / Pax for bus only. FRR is for entire system.
Figured for MARTA – 2012 – 2011 NTD Data. Op Cost/Rev Hour and Op Cost / Pax for bus only. FRR is for entire system.