ITS for BRT Systems: How Does Boston’s Silver Line Compare
With Other BRT Systems? Carol Schweiger, Assistant Vice President
ITS Georgia Annual MeetingAugust 29, 2005
Presentation Outline
• ITS Technologies for BRT:Operational improvementsCustomer service improvements
• Comparison of Silver Line with Other Existing Systems
• Comparison with Planned BRT systems
• Summary
Categories of ITS for BRT
• Operational Improvements:Vehicle Priority and Access Control Intelligent Vehicle Initiative (IVI) TechnologiesAutomated/Electronic Fare CollectionOperations ManagementSecurity Technologies
• Customer Service Improvements:Passenger InformationPassenger ConveniencePassenger Safety and Security Technologies
ITS Effects on BRT System Performance
Travel Time
SavingsReliability
Identity and Image
Safety and Security
Capacity
Vehicle PrioritizationDriver Assist and Automation TechnologyOperations ManagementPassenger InformationSafety and Security TechnologySupport Technologies
System Performance
MBTA Silver Line ITS (Phase 1)
•GPS-based AVL/CAD System•Automated annunciation•Real-time information on DMS at selected stops (not fully operational yet)•Security system in tunnel portion of system•Some technology is deployed in the rest of the MBTA bus operation
ITS in BRT Systems
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Transit Signal PriorityCollision WarningAutomated Scheduling and DispatchAVLTraveler Information at Station/StopTraveler Information on VehicleTrip Itinerary PlanningSilent AlarmVoice/Video MonitoringAdvanced Communications SystemAutomatic Passenger Counting
Comparison with Other BRT Systems
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Travel Time Reduction 26% 15-25% 7-20% 35% 17-29%
Customer Perception of Travel Time73.2% pax rate above avg or excellent
3.82/5 vs. 3.42/5
59% pax rate good or very good
85% pax rpt shorter travel times - avg reduction of 14 minutes
Customer Perception of Wait Time and Transfer Time
60.2% pax rate above avg or excellent
3.76/5 vs. 3.15/5
44% pax good or very good
78% pax perceive reduced wait time. 52% reported easier transferring
Customer Perception of Travel Time Reliability
65% pax rate above avg or excellent
92% pax rate excellent or good
68% perceive improved schedule adherence
Customer Perception of Security55.6% pax rate above avg or excellent
3.88/5 vs. 3.40/5
67.5% rate safety good or very good.
Change in Ridership in Corridor 85% 9-14% 2-47% 186% 135%
LA Metro Rapid Bus Arrival Information System• LADOT developed Bus Arrival Information System,
not LACMTA (which operates Metro Rapid)
• Based on city’s computerized Automatic Traffic Surveillance and Control System (ATSCS)
• Low cost system - utilizes loop-transponder technology
• One-line LED DMSs in specially-designed bus shelters
LA Metro Rapid Signal Priority• LACMTA provides LADOT with schedule for
each Metro Rapid bus each day• Throughout the day, ATSCS computer performs
schedule adherence• If bus behind schedule, computer can extend the
green at the traffic signal in its immediate path• Computer knows location and speed of bus, and
the fact that lights in its path will remain green, so it can accurately calculate time for bus to reach its next stop
Lynx FlexBus Concept
• Dynamically routed and dispatched point-to-point operation
• Responds to user request, real-time and pre-booked (12-minute maximum wait time)
• Fare payment prior to boarding• Stations at activity centers • Transit ITS support• Station access only• No fixed schedules • No fixed routes
FlexBus ITS Technologies
• On-vehicle systems, including mobile data terminal
• Automated reservations, scheduling, and vehicle assignment system
• CAD/AVL• Electronic fare payment system and boarding
pass• High capacity, high speed, reliable wireless
communications
FlexBus: How It Works
• User requests ride and selects destination station using either phone (IVR), Internet, station kiosk or remote kiosk
• System Selects “best fit” vehicle
• Prompts user to confirm trip
• User boards vehicle and swipes Boarding Pass
• Trip confirmed
FlexBus ITS:Enabling the Concept
• ITS enables the flexibility (operations improvement):Reservation processWait timeFare payment/boarding pass
• ITS provides marketing opportunities (customer information improvement):High-quality transit serviceAppeals to “choice” riders Improves perception of transit
Summary: Evidence that ITS Affects Key Silver Line BRT Service Factors
• Operations:Running time and running time reliabilityDwell time and dwell time reliabilityWait time and transfer timeService reliabilitySafety and securityCapacity
• Customer Service/Information:Perception of operationsBrand identitySafety and securityRidership