Benefits of Real-Time Transit Information and Impacts of Data Accuracy on Rider Experience

Abstract

When presented in a practical format, real-time transit information can improve sustainable travel methods by enhancing the transit experience. This paper identifies the positive shift realized by the continued development of the OneBusAway set of real-time transit information tools. In addition, the paper analyzes real-time prediction errors and their effects on the rider experience. In 2012, three years after the development of location-aware mobile applications, a survey of current OneBusAway users was conducted to compare the results with the previous 2009 study. Results show significant positive shifts in satisfaction with transit, perceptions of safety, and ridership frequency as a result of the increased use of real-time arrival information. However, this paper also provides a perspective of the margin of error riders come to expect and the negative effects resulting from inaccuracies with the real-time data. Although riders on average will ride less when they have experienced errors, a robust issue-reporting system as well as the resolution of the error can mitigate the initial negative effects. With this understanding, the paper provides transit agencies and developers with guidance to realize the full potential of real-time information and error-reporting systems.

OneBusAway Multi-Region--Rapidly Expanding Mobile Transit Apps to New Cities

“…Studies of the effectiveness of OneBusAway regarding the user experience and impacts on transit riders have been reported in multiple papers ) Ferris 2011;Watkins 2011), including issues with accuracy and rider perception (Gooze et al 2013). Although these studies took place in Seattle, additional work is being undertaken in Tampa, New York, and Atlanta (Brakewood 2014) .…”

“…OneBusAway has been used to jump-start several pilot and production deployments of real-time transit information systems (OneBusAway 2012). It also has served as the foundation of several research projects that aim to better understand how real-time information impacts transit riders Watkins 2011;Watkins et al 2011;Gooze et al 2013;). …”

“…Riders also can use the information to adjust their own use of the transit system, e.g., by taking a different less-crowded bus, which can benefit other riders as well (Zimmerman et al 2011). Other benefits identified in surveys include increased walking (i.e., public health benefits) and, for some riders, increased feelings of safety while waiting, particularly at night Gooze et al 2013). With the number of smartphone users among transit riders being similar to those in the general population, providing app-based real-time information could be a major benefit to a large proportion of riders (Windmiller et al 2014).…”

Trends in Mobile Transit Information Utilization: An Exploratory Analysis of Transit App in New York City

“…Many early studies focused on the effects of at-stop signage on transit riders' perceptions and behavior (e.g., Hickman and Wilson 1995;Dziekan and Vermeulen 2006;Dziekan and Kottenhoff 2007;Tang and Thakuriah 2011). More recently, the literature pertains primarily to the passenger and transit agency benefits of providing real-time information via mobile and web-based devices (Zhang et al 2008;Ferris et al 2010;Watkins et al 2011;Tang and Thakuriah 2012;Tang, Ross, and Ha 2012;Carrel et al 2013;Gooze et al 2013;Brakewood et al 2014;Brakewood, Macfarlane, and Watkins 2015). Only two prior references have specifically examined backend data from real-time information transit applications, and these are briefly summarized in the following paragraphs.…”

A preliminary survey analysis of school shuttle bus system towards smart mobility solutions

“…A follow-up study found that more than 30% of bus riders who had access to real-time information had an increase in their perceived safety and security [14].…”