Bus Operations in Santa Clara County, Potential Uses of AVL, and Framework for Evaluating Control Strategies

T. Chira-Chavala, David Gillen, Lee Klieman and Amy Marshall

Institute of Transportation Studies, Research Reports, Working Papers, Proceedings from Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Berkeley

Abstract: The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), which provides public transportation to citizens of Santa Clara County, California, operates buses, light rail, and paratransit service. The VTA is currently installing automatic vehicle location (AVL) equipment on its bus fleet. This report presents the results of Phase 1 research, which examines the various performance and operational characteristics of the fixed-route bus system operated by the VTA. The purpose is to identify performance characteristics of the bus system that should and could be improved with and without utilizing AVL. Characteristics examined include: schedule adherence, transfer coordination, passenger waiting time, and passenger information need. Possible control strategies for improving performance and operational characteristics of the bus system are identified. An evaluation framework for assessing the potential benefits/costs of alternative strategies for improving transit performance and operational characteristics is also developed. This research was based on empirical evidence collected through field observations, interviews with the VTA's transit personnel, VTA's records, a survey of bus riders, and a literature review.

Keywords: Engineering; Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority; Bus lines--California--Santa Clara County; Motor vehicles--California--Santa Clara County--Automatic location systems; Automatic vehicle monitoring (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1999-07-01
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