TRANSIT INFORMATION AND TRANSIT KNOWLEDGE: THE CHICAGO EXPERIENCE. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report addresses several questions regarding the manner in which information on transit systems is prepared, disseminated, and used by the public. Specifically, it includes an examination of the amount of information users and potential users have about transit systems and the subsequent ridership implications of this problem. This study focuses on the Chicago metropolitan area that is served by a dozen commuter rail lines operated by carriers whose fares and services are coordinated by the Northeastern Illinois Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). This rail system was selected because the service provided has been extremely stable. The report is organized into four sections: 1) an examination of the role of information in determining ridership responses to service changes; 2) a survey to determine how much users of one transit district know about another district; 3) a study to evaluate the usefulness of information aids; and 4) a test of alternative transit map designs. The findings suggest that substantial improvement can be made in information dissemination. At the root of the problem is the lack of knowledge among urban residents about the basic geography of the metropolitan area. Progress here requires long-term public education remedies, perhaps starting in elementary school. Short-term solutions include greater emphasis on consumer-oriented information aids. The author notes that the most noteworthy finding is that transit users quickly respond to changes in transit service. This may have long-term negative consequences on the role of transit beyond a worktrip service.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of Illinois, Chicago

  Urban Transportation Center, 412 South Peoria Street, Suite 340
  Chicago, IL  United States  60607

  Urban Mass Transportation Administration

  400 7th Street, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Soot, S
  • Stenson, H H
• Publication Date: 1983-5

Media Info

• Pagination: 8 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Commuter cars; Fares; Maps; Marketing; Passenger information systems; Publicity; Ridership; Socioeconomic factors
• Identifier Terms: Urban Mass Transportation Act
• Geographic Terms: Chicago (Illinois)
• Old TRIS Terms: Umta section 11
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Economics; Public Transportation; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00380189
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: UMTA-IL-11-0028-83-3
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Dec 30 1983 12:00AM