EVALUATION OF THE BENEFITS OF AUTOMATED VEHICLE LOCATION SYSTEMS FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED TRANSIT AGENCIES

This study addresses the issue of Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) applications in small and medium sized transit agencies. Small to medium transit agencies were contacted to determine their perception of their experience with AVL and the benefits it has provided. All contacted transit agencies that deployed an AVL system perceive great benefits of AVL, especially in the areas of improved efficiency of the system by permitting automated dispatch and scheduling, improved customer services and communication, more efficient use of resources and improved on-time performance. In addition a survey was conducted of transit users in a Wisconsin community to assess the level of importance that they place on features of transit service which AVL can affect. The transit riders consider on-time performance and having real-time information as the most important factors in transit service. A framework for conducting benefit cost analysis is also provided based on data from the City of Racine, Wisconsin and some assumptions. It was found that consistent with cost benefit analysis of highway investment, AVL benefits largely occur to transit users if their waiting time can be reduced by even a small amount. AVL systems for small transit agencies also have the potential of sharing the system with other government agencies, such as public works departments, law enforcement agencies and other transit agencies.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/CUTS//its/avl1-29.pdf
• Record URL:
  • https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/22000/22000/22007/PB99154668.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

  Center for Urban Transportation Studies, 3200 North Cramer Street
  Milwaukee, WI  United States  53211

  Wisconsin Department of Transportation

  4802 Sheboygan Avenue, P.O. Box 7910
  Madison, WI  United States  53707-7910

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Peng, Z-R
  • Beimborn, E
  • Octania, S
  • Zygowicz, R
• Publication Date: 1999-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 113 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automatic vehicle location; Benefit cost analysis; Benefits; On time performance; Real time information; Surveys; Transit operating agencies; Transit riders; User benefits
• Geographic Terms: Racine (Wisconsin)
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Passenger Transportation; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00765884
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: SPR-0092-45-84,, Final Report
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jul 6 1999 12:00AM