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National Center for Transit Research » Research

Moving America on Transit – Innovation in Real-time Transit Information

(Center Identification Number: 79017 ) Real-time transit information has many benefits for new and existing transit riders, including reducing perceived wait time for riders and attracting new riders who are otherwise reluctant to use the transit system. However, offering real-time transit services to transit riders has its challenges. The cost for a transit agency to implement both vehicle tracking technologies and information dissemination technologies such as electronic signs or mobile phone applications is not trivial. Transit agencies can cost-effectively increase information dissemination by openly sharing their data with the public, although, there are challenges to “freeing” transit data on an industry-wide basis and fostering a global community of innovation for transit applications. … Read entire article »

Filed under: Project Scopes, Research in Progress

Travel Assistance Device (TAD) featured in YouTube Video

In partnership with NCTR, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), co-sponsored the development of the Travel Assistance Device (TAD), a GPS-enabled cell phone that can guide transit riders with mental or cognitive disabilities when traveling on transit systems. FDOT and NCTR also developed an online, map-based web page that gives the caretaker and travel trainer the means to monitor the transit rider’s location when desired. View the video. … Read entire article »

Filed under: News and Events, Projects, Research

Improving Cost Effectiveness of Financial Incentives in Managing TDM

(Center Identification Number: 77947) Principal Investigators: Chanyoung Lee, Senior Research Associate Phone: 813-974-4910 E-mail: cylee@cutr.usf.edu Fax: 813-974-5168 and Ed Hillsman, Senior Research Associate Phone: 813-974-2977 E-mail: hillsman@cutr.usf.edu Fax: 813-974-5168 Center for Urban Transportation Research University of South Florida External Project Contact:      Michael Wright Statewide CAP and Florida RTAP Manager, Florida Deparment of Transportation michael.wright1@dot.state.fl.us Phone: 850-414-4529 I.  Project Objective/Problem Statement/Background Given declining resources, pressing problems, and environmental constraints, many government agencies, such as state DOTs, MPOs, and local governments, are increasingly motivated to manage demand for vehicle trips to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, improve air quality (which is primary for this pre-proposal), mitigate congestion, and improve overall performance of their roadway systems (which is secondary for this proposal). Providing financial incentives to commuters to use alternative modes is a common element of managing transportation demand. This is preferred over other negative enforcements, such as parking fees, which are politically … Read entire article »

Filed under: Project Scopes, Research in Progress

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

(Center Identification Number: 77945) Principal Investigators: Steve Polzin, Director, Mobility Research Phone: 813-974-9849 E-mail: polzin@cutr.usf.edu Fax: 813-974-5168 and Xuehao Chu, Senior Research Associate Phone: 813-974-9831 E-mail: xchu@cutr.usf.edu Fax: 813-974-5168 Center for Urban Transportation Research University of South Florida External Project Contact:      Diane Quigley Transit Planning Administrator, Florida Deparment of Transportation diane.quigley@dot.state.fl.us Phone: 850-414-4520 I.  Project Objective/Problem Statement/Background The Transit Boardings Estimation and Simulation Tool (TBEST) as currently designed has a set of transit demand model coefficients calibrated for bus transit travel. There is an industry interest in developing a set of calibrated coefficients for other modes of travel, specifically bus rapid transit (BRT), light rail transit (LRT) and other guideway modes. Such a capability would give greater confidence to users for application of TBEST in sketch planning or service planning for these modes. Such a planning tool would increase the capabilities of transit agencies for planning future transit services. … Read entire article »

Filed under: Project Scopes, Research in Progress

Flexible Public Transportation Services in Florida

(Center Identification Number: 77942) Due to the increasing demand to provide public transportation services and meet the mobility needs of diverse markets and environments, the transit industry has begun to provide flexible transportation services through cost-effective, unconventional service delivery models, including but not limited to: route deviations, point deviations, demand-response connectors, request stops, flexible route segments and zone routes. … Read entire article »

Filed under: Project Scopes, Research in Progress