Assessment of temporal and spatial effects of bus arrival time information and implications for spatially targeted location-based services

Thakuriah, P., Tang, L. and Vassilakis, W. (2012) Assessment of temporal and spatial effects of bus arrival time information and implications for spatially targeted location-based services. In: Transportation Research Board Annual Conference 2012, Washington, DC, USA, Jan 2012,

Abstract

We analyze temporal and spatial variations that may result from the provision of real-time bus arrival information. We consider a case study of the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Bus Tracker system, including the Location-Based Service (LBS) applications developed by third-party developers. Using Random Effects Negative Binomial models of longitudinal average weekday ridership data per bus route per month for the period 2003 through 2009 and controlling for operational, economic and social factors and seasonal variations, we assess temporal variations by two types of time-varying coefficients: one that reflects “adjustment interval” effects after information becomes available on a route, during which users learn about information availability and adapt their travel behavior, and the second, a “period” effect, that reflects changes in the underlying information and communications technology over time and ways in which people receive and use information. We find no statistical evidence of adjustment effects but find small but significantly positive period effects. A cluster analysis of bus stop service areas based on sociodemographic, built environment, housing, economic, transportation and digital savviness characteristics, along routes that accrued the highest ridership, allows us to associate the net effects of information to characteristics of service areas. Four clusters of bus stops were identified: two where bus boardings were high to very high after Bus Tracker, and two others where boarding gains were either modest or low. This strategy helped determine the types of spatially-targeted LBS applications that may be developed to capitalize on basic bus arrival information.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Keywords: real-time bus arrival information, random effects negative binomial, cluster analysis, digital savviness, bus-stop service area
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Thakuriah, Professor Piyushimita
• Authors: Thakuriah, P., Tang, L., and Vassilakis, W.
• Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General); H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General); H Social Sciences > HE Transportation and Communications; T Technology > T Technology (General)
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies