Using Automated Data Sources to Improve the Performance of Public Transport Systems: A Framework and Applications
Nigel Wilson
Civil and Environmental Engineering, MIT
ABSTRACT: Automatic data sources--including automatic vehicle location systems, automatic passenger counting systems, and electronic fare payment and ticketing systems--are becoming ubiquitous in large, public transport systems. These sources are starting to impact the quality and availability of information for off-line (planning for service and operations, and performance monitoring and measurement) and real-time (operations management and control, and customer information) functions needed for service provision. Impacts of these advances are already apparent, yet there is potential for deeper impact. The power and cost-effectiveness of information technology continues to advance and will offer opportunities to develop and apply more ambitious models, which should positively affect the performance of public transport systems. Wilson presents a framework for assessing roles that automated data sources can play in public transport systems and summarizes recent applications of the based on research at MIT for Transport for London and other transit agencies. He also discusses the potential for further enhancements of critical public transport agency functions through making even greater use of these data sources in the future.
