A TRANSIT PLANNING METHODOLOGY FOR SMALL CITIES

This article, which describes a conceptual systems approach framework, describes the type and range of transit most effective in a small city and outlines a regression model which can be a starting point for ridership estimation. The transit system must possess flexibility and capability of expansion to accomodate the additional ridership which will be generated after a period of operation. Travel forecasts and continuous monitoring of the operation are essential. A route selection process is discussed and comments are made on scheduling. The fare structure and fare plans are considered and it is noted that they should be: demand oriented, logical and based on rational criteria, easy to remember, simple and preferably with a unistructure, and with minimum or preferably no transfer charge. Factors affecting the fleet size determination are discussed. Practical aspects of transit planning methodology are reviewed, and the use of a successive overlay technique for examining proposed route configuration is outlined. Selection of the final transit system is based on the evaluation of various elements such as fleet size, vehicle mix, scheduling, fare structure, and fare plans as well as economic analysis. Community goals are also important to the evaluation process.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Public Transit Association

  1225 Connecticut Avenue, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20036
• Authors:
  • Chadda, H S
  • Mulinazzi, T E
• Publication Date: 1977

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 19-40
• Serial:
  • Transit Journal

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bus transportation; Economic analysis; Fares; Fleet management; Forecasting; Mathematical models; Ridership; Route choice; Scheduling; Small cities; Social values; Systems analysis; Transportation planning; Urban transportation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Fleets; Models
• Old TRIS Terms: Community values
• Subject Areas: Economics; Highways; Motor Carriers; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00157255
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 23 1981 12:00AM