Evaluation of Proof-of-Payment and Multiple-Unit Operations in Different Streetcar Route Configurations

This study investigates the performance effects of Proof-of-Payment (POP) and Multiple-Unit (MU) streetcar operations when applied individually and jointly to 2 streetcar routes with different configurations and characteristics. Using a microscopic traffic simulation model, the 504 King and the 512 St. Clair streetcar routes in Toronto are investigated. The 2 routes have different operational characteristics. Currently, both routes suffer from major reliability problems including streetcar bunching and gapping. The purpose of POP is to reduce the magnitude and variability of passenger service time. In MU, individual streetcars are coupled while doubling the service headway. To estimate the impact of these measures, a state-of-the-art modeling tool was applied to replicate the existing and proposed scenarios. In general, the Proof-Of-Payment system shows better performance than the Pay-On-Entry system, and Multiple-Unit operation shows better performance than Single-Unit operation. In all cases, POP results in lower headway variability, shorter route travel times and reduced magnitude and variability of passenger service times. On both routes, MU offers the benefits of lower headway variability, fewer extreme headways, shorter route and section travel times, fewer passengers left behind and lower crowding at the peak load stop. In addition, the results point to the benefits of implementing a bundle of strategies since the scenarios with both Proof-Of-Payment and Multiple-Unit operation consistently perform best.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Shalaby, Amer
  • Georgi, Asmus
  • Ling, Kenny
  • Sinikas, Jim
  • Salzberg, Andrew
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 86th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2007-1-21 to 2007-1-25
• Date: 2007

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: CD-ROM
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 22p
• Monograph Title: TRB 86th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers CD-ROM

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Headways; Multiple unit cars; Passenger service; Payment; Public transit; Routes; Streetcars; Traffic simulation; Travel time
• Uncontrolled Terms: Proof of payment
• Geographic Terms: Toronto (Canada)
• Subject Areas: Finance; Passenger Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01047620
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 07-2325
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: May 7 2007 8:27AM