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From page 76... ... 5. Operating/Service Adjustments Introduction The most widely used types of strategies, actions and initiatives aimed at increasing ridership are operating/service adjustments. Read the entire page →
From page 77... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-2 Design/Implementation Guidelines As explained in earlier chapters, selecting and implementing any of these ridership strategies requires analysis of an agency's service needs and opportunities. The basic planning activities and types of considerations for operating/service adjustments are described below. Read the entire page →
From page 78... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-3 Table 5-2: Checklist – Developing and Implementing Operating/Service Adjustments Key Steps/Activities Evaluation of Existing Services Conduct system-level evaluation Examine service and ridership trends Assess system-wide performance measures Conduct peer agency review Conduct route-level performance assessment Identify design/performance measures and establish goals/thresholds Evaluate route performance according to goals/thresholds Identify deficiencies/problem areas Identify potential strategies to address deficiencies Analysis of Markets and Projected Growth Conduct demographic and travel pattern analysis Identify characteristics of key market segments (e.g., seniors, youth, low-income households) Identify residential and employment densities Identify locations of employment and other activity centers Identify key travel patterns within area/region Review growth projections Identify projected development patterns (office, retail, residential, other) Read the entire page →
From page 79... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-4 Table 5-3: Applicable Modes/Settings for Types of Operating/Service Adjustments Mode Service Environment Type of Strategy Bus Rail Large Urban Medium Urban Small Urban Rural Suburb CBD Increased route coverage + + + + + + + + Route restructuring + – + + + + + + Improved schedule/route coordination + + + + + + + + Increased service frequency + + + + + o + + Increased span of service + + + + + o + + Improved reliability/on-time performance + + + + + o + + Improved travel speed/reduced stops + + + + o o + o Targeted services + – + + + + + + Passenger facility improvements + + + + + o + + New/improved vehicles + + + + + o + + Increased security + + + + + + + + Increased safety + + + + + + + + Key: – = not applicable or inappropriate; o = applicable, but may not be cost-effective; + = applicable and appropriate Design and Performance Measures As described in Chapter 3, various route or system-level measures can be used to guide the evaluation of existing services and design of service improvements or new services. Examples of measures that might be applied are shown in Table 5-4 (see Chapter 3 for a description of the usage of such measures) Read the entire page →
From page 80... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-5 Table 5-4: Sample Service Design/Performance Measures Type of Measure Definition or Form of Measure Example of Guideline or Threshold Design Measures Coverage Recommended spacing between routes 90% of households in high density area (>3 household/acre) should be within ¼ mi. Read the entire page →
From page 81... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-6 Table 5-5: Strategies Associated with Types of Service Problem Areas Problem Area Types of Strategy to Consider Types of Specific Actions to Consider Coverage Increased route coverage, Improved schedule/route coordination, Targeted services Service expansion; Introduction of local circulators, Feeder services; Timed transfers; Transit centers; Regional integration; Employer-sponsored/ reverse commute service Span of service Increased span of service Longer service hours (e.g., late night/weekend) Frequency of service Increased service frequency Increased frequency on specific rtes. Read the entire page →
From page 82... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-7 Cost Estimation Methods Clearly, an agency planning for some type of operating/service adjustment will have to calculate the cost requirements of the specific strategy(ies) under consideration. Read the entire page →
From page 83... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-8 with expanding existing service may also be estimated using fixed vs. variable cost figures; the latter typically represents a blended unit cost, based on the agency's current costs per hour, mile and peak vehicle. Read the entire page →
From page 84... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-9 instances of university towns, and to substantial ridership gains in larger cities with targeted universities" (p. Read the entire page →
From page 85... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-10 Routing/Coverage Adjustments Routing and coverage adjustments are intended to improve service efficiency, effectiveness and/or accessibility through one or more of the following types of actions: • Increased route coverage (e.g., service expansion, introduction of local circulators, expansion into rural service areas) • Route restructuring (e.g., reallocation to most productive routes, revising operating strategies) Read the entire page →
From page 86... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-11 Introduction of local circulator service – This represents one form of new service. Such services are designed to improve mobility within a local area or to provide connections to the urban and regional bus network -- and rail lines, if present. Read the entire page →
From page 87... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-12 requests since it does not allow passengers to flag the vehicle between formal stops, which some route deviation services do. Checkpoint deviation service limits deviations to specific on-call stops rather than deviating all the way to the passenger's curbside; this reduces the impact of deviations on the schedule. Read the entire page →
From page 88... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-13 • Rural demand-responsive service -- Because rural population tends to be distributed over a large area, demand-responsive service can be a more effective means than fixed-route service to meet local transportation needs. Demand-responsive or dial-a-ride service can be provided with a taxi, van or small bus. Read the entire page →
From page 89... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-14 Route Restructuring Another type of routing/coverage adjustment is route restructuring, which might include, for instance, reallocation of service to most productive routes or revising operating strategies. As defined in TCRP Report 95 (Chapter 10) Read the entire page →
From page 90... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-15 • Overlapping routes should be avoided, except in the following circumstances: o Two or more line-haul routes with moderate frequency and a common terminus share a common segment beginning at that terminus; in such a case, the schedules should be coordinated to provide an effective headway that is twice as good as the routes individually. o A line-haul route with limited-stop service is overlaid on a local service route. Read the entire page →
From page 91... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-16 Overlapping and/or duplicative services may offer opportunities for improving efficiency, making service less confusing for passengers, and freeing up resources that could be used more productively elsewhere in the service area. Grand Rapids Interurban Transit Partnership - The Rapid (ITP) Read the entire page →
From page 92... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-17 Housatonic Area Regional Transit District (HART) Harlem Line Shuttle Services small urbanized (50,000 - 200,000) Read the entire page →
From page 93... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-18 Transit center functions range from facilitating operations by providing off-street layover space to supporting large numbers of transfers between automobiles and transit and between different transit services. A transit center serving local routes may have simple bus pull-outs, shelters, and detailed system information. Read the entire page →
From page 94... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-19 • Transit center spacing – The spacing of transit centers will be dependent on the type of service structure and markets they are meant to support. If the purpose is to support a system of timed transfers, two key factors will play a role in their location. Read the entire page →
From page 95... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-20 Real-time information is also recommended. At larger transit centers and park-and-ride facilities, a kiosk could be used to provide timetables, system maps, and pass sales. Read the entire page →
From page 96... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-21 Scheduling/Frequency Adjustments These types of revised operating strategies are typically deployed in an effort to seek a better balance between the demand for and the supply of service: • Increased service frequency (e.g., e.g., increased frequency on specific routes) or increased span of service (e.g., longer service hours) Read the entire page →
From page 97... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-22 shortening headways on some routes; in some cases, though, reducing the headway will cause a route to have a lower than acceptable productivity. The agency may in that case decide not to change that route's frequency. Read the entire page →
From page 98... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-23 Improved Reliability/On-time Performance Reliability and on-time performance are clearly important aspects of transit scheduling and performance, as they affect passenger wait time, delay and uncertainty. Reliability is measured in terms of schedule adherence (i.e., percent of trips that are on-time, as well percent early or late, compared to the scheduled arrival/departure times; missed vehicle trips are also included) Read the entire page →
From page 99... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-24 • Transfer connection protection (TCP) capability -- Once AVL is deployed on an agency's buses, TCP capability can be deployed to ensure that passenger transfers are protected; this will improve service reliability from the passenger's perspective. Read the entire page →
From page 100... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-25 New Types of Service Several strategies involving the introduction of new types of service might be considered in an effort to improve service attractiveness and possibly costeffectiveness; these strategies include: • Improved travel speed (e.g., introduction of express bus, BRT, rail) • Targeted services (e.g., university campus-oriented service, downtown circulators, or other special purpose services) Read the entire page →
From page 101... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-26 decades – or now being developed – are either light rail or commuter rail. In fact, several cities (e.g., Dallas, Los Angeles, Seattle) Read the entire page →
From page 102... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-27 Running way improvements for BRT applications may include exclusive right-of-way (see Exhibit 5-3) , or improvements to enhance roadway operations where exclusive right-of-way is not available. Read the entire page →
From page 103... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-28 Targeted Services Services targeted to specific market segments or service areas can be effective at generating additional ridership. There is a wide range of targeted services, including employer-sponsored shuttles and reverse commute services, university campus services, downtown circulators, airport shuttles and special event shuttles. Read the entire page →
From page 104... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-29 Downtown circulators – While transit service is often focused on downtown areas, the existing routes are typically designed to get people in and out of these areas; many cities lack an efficient circulator system for moving people around within the downtown. A well-designed and appropriately-priced downtown circulator service can address a number of travel needs, including improving both visitor and downtown worker mobility. Read the entire page →
From page 105... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-30 Table 5-6: Service Characteristics for Downtown Circulator Markets Downtown Workers Tourists and Visitors Most Important Frequency Directness of service Travel time Reliability Simple schedule Most Important Information/signage Uniqueness of the vehicles Serve tourist attractions Also Important Cleanliness Low Fare Perimeter seating Also Important Friendliness of drivers Knowledgeable drivers Availability of a day pass Source: District of Columbia Downtown Circulator Implementation Plan, p. Read the entire page →
From page 106... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-31 Based on a review of twenty US tourist-oriented transit services, the keys to success in establishing such services include the following:7 • Free or minimal fare ($1 or less) • Frequent, reliable service • Convenient/easy access to attractions • Service span coordinated with hours of attractions • Service perceived as tourist amenity (e.g., drivers act as regional "ambassadors") Read the entire page →
From page 107... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-32 Improved Amenities Passenger amenities in the following areas can play an key role in attracting and retaining riders: • Passenger facility improvements (e.g., improved bus stop, station, transit center or park and ride amenities) • New/improved vehicles (e.g., improved amenities, use of articulated buses) Read the entire page →
From page 108... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-33 Table 5-7: Example of Bus Stop/Shelter Amenities Standards Source: WMATA Regional Bus Study 9 9999Route map and schedules Customer Boarding Activity per Day 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 300 - 500 9 9 Real time travel information 9 System map 9 9Benches in shelter 9 9Larger/Multiple shelter(s) 9 9Detailed schedule 9 99Trash receptacle 9 99Standard shelter 9 999Bus stop signs 9 999Adequate lighting 9 999Safe access 9 999Level concrete pad Over 500 100 - 300 50 - 100 < 50 Amenity Potential conversion to transit center encompasses a wide range of facility type, from small on-street transfer facilities to large off-street transit centers that include layover facilities and potentially additional passenger amenities such as small retail centers, transit pass sales outlets, and detailed transit information. Read the entire page →
From page 109... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-34 • Up-to-date and accurate bus stop signs, including an accurate listing of routes using the stop and an accurate information telephone number. The standards suggest that stops with more than 50 boardings per day (including transfers) Read the entire page →
From page 110... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-35 New/Improved Vehicles The vehicle environment also plays an essential role affecting the rider's transit experience. As explained above, one of the reasons some people prefer railcars to buses is the greater amount of room and, in some cases, the greater comfort level of the rail vehicle. Read the entire page →
From page 111... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-36 • "People react positively to amenities designed to improve their transit experience, both at the stop and on-board vehicles. Passengers especially appreciate these when they are well-placed and well-designed, particularly when such basic service characteristics as frequency, efficiency, safety and reliability are perceived by passengers to well under control. Read the entire page →
From page 112... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-37 Increased Security and Safety Perceived personal security (i.e., protection from crime and terrorism) and safety (i.e., protection from vehicle-related injury) Read the entire page →
From page 113... ... TCRP H-32: Interim Guidebook 5-38 A number of agencies have begun to improve the quality of their security monitoring procedures by upgrading to digital security cameras systems that record – and transmit – highly-detailed color images, rather than the blurry black and white images common to most existing security systems. These new systems greatly enhance the ability of the agencies to monitor – and later review -- activity within rail stations and on buses. Read the entire page →

From page 76...

... 5. Operating/Service Adjustments Introduction The most widely used types of strategies, actions and initiatives aimed at increasing ridership are operating/service adjustments.