DEVELOPMENT OF PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR TRANSIT

The objective of this research is to establish a rationale for the development of performance indicators for transit; to analyze potential indicatiors; and to apply a limited set of indicators to data collected from transit properties in the states of California and Washington. The focus herein is on the federal and state levels of government. The procedure is designed to develop and test criteria for the evaluation of performance of transit properties in different locations, of differing size, and with different operational procedures. This report presents the rationale and developmental structure for the evaluation of transit performance through quantitative performance indicators. It specifies efficient and effective transit service as appropriate goals to be encouraged by federal and state governments and identifies three efficiency and six effectiveness indicators which focus on significant aspects of performance. Using operating and financial data collected from 47 public transit operators in California and 5 operators in Washington, the selected performance indicators are analyzed for comparability of values between different modes of transit, different service area population densities, and different organizational types. The performance indicator values for selected transit properties are individually interpreted to demonstrate the analytic use and limitations of indicators. Potential uses of performance indicators are identified and areas requiring additional research described. The Appendices include: a literature search; a listing of properties; operating and financial data; and a glossary.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Sponsored by DOT, Urban Mass Transportation Administration.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of California, Irvine

  Institute of Transportation Studies
  4000 Anteater Instruction and Research Building
  Irvine, CA  United States  92697
• Authors:
  • Fielding, G J
  • Glauthier, R E
  • Lave, C A
• Publication Date: 1977-12

Media Info

• Pagination: 133 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Economic efficiency; Evaluation; Measures of effectiveness; Performance; Public transit
• Uncontrolled Terms: Effectiveness; Efficiency
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Economics; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00176552
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: UMTA-CA-11-0014-78-1Final Rpt.
• Files: NTIS, TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 29 1981 12:00AM