MEDIA/SHARON HILL PRODUCTIVITY STUDY

The Suburban Transit Division of SEPTA provides light rail transit (LRT) service to the residents of Delaware County by way of the Media/Sharon Hill line. High-performance, high-capacity LRT vehicles were placed on the line in October 1982 to improve service quality and productivity. Physical and operating conditions hindered improvements and caused delays that resulted in increased trip times, patronage drop, and larger peak period fleet. This study was initiated to develop, test and evaluate strategies for improving service and productivity on the Media/Sharon Hill line. The objective of the study was to reduce running time on the LRT line, thereby, reducing peak period fleet. To reduce delay conditions, the study focused on testing physical changes such as improved traffic signals, positive crossing protection at intersections, and the addition of passing sidings. Two computer simulation programs were used to conduct this analysis: Train Performance Calculator (TPC)--simulates one car/train running over the line, and Easy Simulator (ESIM) model--simulates a fleet dispatched according to a schedule. Simulation results were evaluated to quantify each strategies impact on delays. Based on these evaluations, specific changes to reduce delays were recommended. Traffic light and crossing protection improvements were projected to reduce average cycle time for all cars by more than 4 minutes. This means a reduction of one car and an annual savings of $50,000. Other expected social and monetary benefits resulting from improvements in reliability and reduced transit time are discussed: ten percent ridership increase, ten percent reduction in traction power, and increased revenues.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation and Distribution Associates, Inc

  1818 Market Street
  Philadelphia, PA  United States  19103

  Urban Mass Transportation Administration

  400 7th Street, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Publication Date: 1987-4

Media Info

• Pagination: 75 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Improvements; Level of service; Light rail transit; Productivity; Simulation
• Identifier Terms: Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority; Urban Mass Transportation Act
• Old TRIS Terms: Umta section 9
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00474165
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Urban Mass Transportation Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: UMTA-PA-09-0120-87-1
• Contract Numbers: UMTA-PA-09-0120
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Oct 31 1987 12:00AM