Transit Boardings Estimation and Simulation Tool (TBEST) Calibration for Guideway and BRT Modes

This research initiative was motivated by a desire of the Florida Department of Transportation and the Transit Boardings Estimation and Simulation Tool (TBEST) project team to enhance the value of TBEST to the planning community by improving its capability to provide forecasts for light rail transit (LRT) and bus rapid transit (BRT) technologies. Specific strategies for calibration were explored and developed for BRT and LRT calibration. The BRT methodology relied on a scoring system to determine the scope of BRT features and scaling the ridership impact accordingly, based on the best available empirical data. The BRT adjustment factor would be a maximum of 30 percent for a very highly specified BRT with exclusive travelway along the full length. The LRT strategy relied on comparison of TBEST results with both sketch planning LRT forecasts and regional model forecasts for Hillsborough County. These results suggested that the scope of system changes and competitiveness of rail was such that large adjustments in TBEST forecasts would be necessary to replicate LRT forecasts. In light of these results, the project team suggests recalibration with a forthcoming Federal Transit Administration sketch planning model and, in the interim, restricting technology adjustments to no more than 50 percent.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.5038/CUTR-NCTR-RR-2012-02
• 
• Summary URL:
  https://fdotwww.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity/docs/default-source/research/reports/fdot-bdk85-977-40-sum.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://fdotwww.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity/docs/default-source/research/reports/fdot-bdk85-977-40-rpt.pdf
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This research is supported by a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Transportation University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  National Center for Transit Research

  Center for Urban Transportation Research, University of South Florida
  4202 East Fowler Avenue, CUT 100
  Tampa, FL  United States  33620

  Research and Innovative Technology Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Florida Department of Transportation

  Research Center, 605 Suwannee Street, MS 30
  Tallahassee, FL  United States  32399-0450
• Authors:
  • Polzin, Steven
  • Bunner, Rodney
  • Chu, Xuehao
• Publication Date: 2013-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 52p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Boarding; Bus rapid transit; Forecasting; Light rail transit; Ridership
• Geographic Terms: Florida
• Subject Areas: Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01486961
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: NCTR 77945/BDK85 977-40
• Contract Numbers: BDK85 977-40, U.S.DOT DTRS98-G-0032
• Files: UTC, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jul 18 2013 1:47PM