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Translating research to practice: Implementing real-time control on high-frequency transit routes

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  • Berrebi, Simon J.
  • Crudden, Sean Óg
  • Watkins, Kari E.

Abstract

On high-frequency routes, buses tend to bunch together, creating gaps in service and causing undue passenger waiting time. There are many approaches to solving the bus bunching problem in the literature but there lacks empirical analysis on practical implementation. In this study, a real-time holding method from the literature was implemented on three high-frequency transit routes, the Atlanta Streetcar and the Georgia Tech Red Route in Atlanta, GA, and the VIA Route 100 in San Antonio, TX. The performance of the method was evaluated in terms of headway stability, holding time, and mean passenger waiting time. The method was found to improve headway stability compared to the schedule, but required longer holds in some cases. Overall, the holding method reduced the waiting time of passengers at stops in all three case studies. The challenges associated with location data quality, prediction accuracy, the human element and the surrounding environment are discussed and strategies to address them are recommended.

Suggested Citation

  • Berrebi, Simon J. & Crudden, Sean Óg & Watkins, Kari E., 2018. "Translating research to practice: Implementing real-time control on high-frequency transit routes," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 213-226.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:111:y:2018:i:c:p:213-226
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2018.03.008
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    Cited by:

    1. Kent, Jennifer L. & Mulley, Corinne & Stevens, Nick, 2020. "Challenging policies that prohibit public transport use: Travelling with pets as a case study," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 86-94.
    2. Wang, Pengfei & Chen, Xuewu & Zheng, Yue & Cheng, Long & Wang, Yinhai & Lei, Da, 2021. "Providing real-time bus crowding information for passengers: A novel policy to promote high-frequency transit performance," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 316-329.
    3. Martínez-Estupiñan, Yerly & Delgado, Felipe & Muñoz, Juan Carlos & Watkins, Kari E., 2023. "Improving the performance of headway control tools by using individual driving speed data," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    4. Weiya Chen & Ying Chen & Yufen Wang & Xiaoping Fang, 2024. "Bus Drivers’ Behavioral Intention to Comply with Real-Time Control Instructions: An Empirical Study from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-23, April.
    5. Gkiotsalitis, K. & Cats, O., 2021. "At-stop control measures in public transport: Literature review and research agenda," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).

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