Impact of real-time crowding information: a Stockholm metro pilot study

Yizhou Zhang (), Erik Jenelius and Karl Kottenhoff ()
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Yizhou Zhang: KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Karl Kottenhoff: KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Public Transport, 2017, vol. 9, issue 3, No 1, 483-499

Abstract: Abstract The paper evaluates the impact of real-time crowding information (RTCI) provision based on a pilot study at a Stockholm metro station. During a 6-day test period, RTCI for each car in the next arriving train was provided through a visual display and speakers. The impact is evaluated in three dimensions: (1) passenger attention is analyzed using video analysis; (2) passenger valuation is evaluated with traveler surveys; (3) passenger action is analyzed with in-vehicle passenger load data. It is estimated that around 25% of the passengers noticed, understood and considered the provided information useful for their travel decisions. Further, RTCI had a statistically significant positive impact on the boarding distribution between cars and, as a result, on the downstream in-vehicle crowding in the trains. RTCI reduced the share of passengers boarding the first, most crowded car by 4.3% points for trains that were crowded on arrival, and increased the share of passengers boarding the second, less crowded car by 4.1% points. The findings also suggest that many passengers may value the provided crowding information positively even though it does not change their travel decisions. The results indicate that RTCI may be a useful technology for public transport operators and agencies for increasing the utilization of available train capacity and reducing crowding.

Keywords: Crowding; Real-time information; RTCI; Metro; Pilot study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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DOI: 10.1007/s12469-016-0150-y

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