SYNCHRONCENTERED TRANSIT SYSTEMS: THE CHALLENGE OF THE 1980S
The way in which a transit system can be redesigned to better fit the polycentric city is described. A transit system which serves several high density destinations will be better utilized and supported and more economical to operate than one which serves only one major destination. Such a service should be structured around a set of strategically located major interchange points and would consist of good local service to a few centers of activity (including downtown), good express bus service between centers, and good internal circulation service in a few high density centers. The synchrocentered transit system (STS) concept is structured around a small number of transit centers and provides synchronized service at most or all of these centers. The synchronization of schedules at the transit centers makes transfers easy and quick. The design of an STS should begin with the identification and classification of the most promising set of locations for the transit centers. The next step is the defining of the transit service to be provided to and between each center. Ideally, the routing and scheduling of the transit service should change to fit the travel patterns at different times of the day or week. The dual route/schedule concept (two sets of fixed routes with one set serving major employment centers during peak periods and the other serving nonwork activity centers) is discussed. Actual experience with the application of STS concepts in Canada and the U.S. is discussed, and the problems encountered are noted. It is observed that the STS concept appears to be the transit solution to meeting the American City in the 1980's and 1990's.
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Corporate Authors:
American Public Transit Association
1225 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC United States 20036 -
Authors:
- Schneider, J B
- Smith, S P
- Publication Date: 1980
Media Info
- Pagination: p. 39
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Serial:
- Transit Journal
- Volume: 6
- Issue Number: 2
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Central business districts; Express buses; Intersections; Location; Passenger terminals; Public transit; Routing; Scheduling; Traffic signal control systems; Transfers; Transportation planning
- Uncontrolled Terms: Synchronization
- Subject Areas: Finance; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00322263
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Jan 19 1982 12:00AM