Luigi dell'Olio

Modelling user perception of bus transit quality considering user and service heterogeneity

Transport operating companies and decision-makers not only have to satisfy the demand for transport but they must also provide a quality service which is attractive to customers. This article presents a methodology to model bus transit quality in the city of Santander using user perception data. The perceived quality has been estimated with random-ordered probit models. First, general service user population models are presented which initially only consider the service attributes and later introduce systematic variations in taste which have economic and social implications. Second, the quality perceived in different bus lines is analysed. The results show that each line is perceived differently by its users who prioritise different aspects and that heterogeneity is clearly present in the perception of service quality. However, if the measures that need to be taken aim to improve the overall service, partial effects suggest that changes need to be made in the aspects where improvements have the greatest impact on quality: reliability, journey time, available information and driver kindness, meaning that service improvement strategies need to be designed around these aspects.

Bi-Level Mathematical Programming Model for Locating Bus Stops and Optimizing Frequencies

This paper proposes a model for locating bus stops and optimizing bus frequencies in congested local public transport networks. The analysis addresses the issue of reducing the overall costs of operating a transport system, including costs associated with provision of services and bus stop construction, using a bi-level mathematical programming method. The upper level defines the overall cost of the system, which must be kept to a minimum taking into account operational restrictions, and the lower level defines a behavioral model for system users. The suggested model mixes optimization and simulation and allows supply and demand to be linked; this ensures consistency between equilibrium flows and bus frequencies and between equilibrium flows and the distances between bus stops calculated at each iteration of the algorithm.

Interurban bus service quality from the users' viewpoint

A model is proposed to determine the global satisfaction of interurban bus service users. The most relevant variables are determined globally for all users as well as by user segments. Various ordered-type logit and probit models are fitted for user behavior, to determine the most important variables from the point of view of user-perceived quality. In addition, generic models, valid for all users, are calibrated as well as others with systematic variations in user preferences in order to discern what different groups of users value. The variables that influence user satisfaction are selected. Users do not place great value on the cost of the ticket, except for elderly people. Moreover, although there are variables that are more difficult to change, satisfactory connections of the bus station with other urban public transport services, as well as its location in the city center are also relevant for bus users. Even the duration (or speed) of the journey, despite being significant, is not the most important point factor in a global evaluation of the service. However, when comparing users satisfaction with the loyalty that users express toward ongoing use of the service, almost half of all users affirm that they would not make the same journey by bus if another mode of transport were available to them. Hence the quality of public transport needs to be studied, in an interurban context as well, to achieve greater use of the service and a reduction in negative transport externalities.

Bus Stop Location under Different Levels of Network Congestion and Elastic Demand

Abstract The article analyses optimal bus stop locations under different network congestion levels applying a bi-level optimisation model, covering an upper level minimizing an overall cost function (Social Cost) and a lower level that includes a modal split assignment model. This model is applied to Santander city (Spain) under a range of demand levels, starting from very low to high congestion, representing the evolution of variables in each case and analysing different solutions. The optimal distances between stops obtained for each demand and congestion level indicate that very low demands produce wider spaces. However, as demand increases, accessibility to public transport service should be increased and then spacing between bus stops drops to 360 metres.

Costing School Transport in Spain

Abstract School transport in Spain is conceived administratively as a regular, but special, public transport service financed by the Spanish regional governments through private sector contracts adjudicated by public tendering. As such it has two special features in comparison to systems elsewhere. First, larger operators use conventional buses (rather than special school buses) and these can also be used for regular services during school hours. Second, as these are regional services, often only regional operators bid for these tenders, so contract assignment resembles a bargaining process between operators and administrations, tempering an adequate operation of the market. This problem is common to all Spanish regions. The situation described has generated high costs (i.e. 15% increase in contract costs in the past year although the number of contracts did not vary significantly). For this reason the Government of Cantabria commissioned research to examine the problem. A simple cost allocation model allowed us to detect that school transport costs were, on average, approximately 18% higher than what could be deemed reasonable. This article describes the problem, the reasons why it has occurred and explains the model built to examine it in certain detail. It also shows the immediate consequences of its application (i.e. the reaction of the main operators and their changed strategy) and the steps taken by the Regional Government, based on our results, to ensure a proper operation of the market in the future.

Passenger behavior in trains during emergency situations

INTRODUCTION This research presents a methodology for analyzing the behavior of people (passengers and crew) involved in emergency situations on passenger trains. METHODS This methodological tool centers around a qualitative character study coming from Focus Groups (FG) and in-depth interviews to extract the determinant variables on passenger and crew behavior when faced with certain emergency situations on trains. RESULTS This research has led to the creation of a classification of possible behaviors associated to each type of incident and dependent on certain variables. The qualitative study was used as the basis for modeling stated preference data using logit type discrete choice models to characterize and quantify the behavior. The most important results show that the determinant variables on passenger behavior correspond to the type of emergency suffered (its degree of seriousness), the type of passenger, the reasons for the journey (demands of time), the information received during the incident, the relationship between crew and passengers, the duration of the incident and the conditions (temperature control, availability of water, occupancy of the train), the distance to the destination station, and finally, the outside weather conditions. This research was carried out using the Spanish railway network as its reference, although it is applicable to any geographical area. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY The results show that the information variable should be considered in the development of future research and that the evidences of this research can be used to develop behavioral models for modeling railway passenger evacuations.

Passenger preference analysis: light rail transit or bus versus car

Abstract To begin with, his article studies the users preferences when faced with the introduction of two completely different public transport systems: the bus and the Light Rail Transit (LRT). Also, it examines how the modal distribution varies between the private car and each of the new systems, in particular. In addition, the most important variables for users when travelling in a congested corridor are individualized and a study is made on how these variables influence on the modal distribution. The results of the stated preferences of surveys are modelled using mixed logit models. Values are estimated for users time and the demand elasticity is determined with respect to the relevant variables. Different situations are created to analyse how users behaviour changes with the changes in the most important variables. Furthermore, this article quantifies the effects of the more relevant variables and shows that the LRT can attract more demand than a bus service, but it must guarantee a regular and fr...

Planning school transport: design of routes with flexible school opening times

Abstract This paper puts forward a methodology for designing a system for school transport which, apart from designing routes, specifies school opening times. Traditionally school opening times have always been identical in the same area meaning many buses have to be used at the same time. This paper suggests the staggering of school opening times in order to minimise the number of buses and thereby reduce the enormous costs involved in running them. The methodology is based on: a first phase which addresses the classic routing problem by using mixed integer lineal programming and a second phase which uses bi-level programming to find the vector for school opening times, which, when staying within the constraints of the problem, minimises the direct costs of the system. The upper level represents the evaluation of the system costs and the lower level finds the best combination of optimum routes for the same bus.

Analytical model for calibrating delay at congested bus stops

Abstract A model is proposed to calculate the overall operating and delay times spent at bus stops due to passenger boarding and alighting and the time lost to queuing caused by bus stop saturation. A formula for line demand at each stop and the interaction between the buses themselves is proposed and applied to different bus stops depending on the number of available berths. The application of this model has quantified significant operational delays suffered by users and operator due to consecutive bus arrival at stops, even with flows below bus stop capacity.

Using O–D matrices for decision making in road network management

Abstract This article uses a real example to demonstrate the importance of mobility modelling (objective criteria) on correctly planned investments in infrastructure. Some radical conclusions are drawn which differ greatly from those suggested by more subjective mental models. Strategic developments on inter-urban networks are evaluated by applying a mobility model including a model for estimating O–D matrices based on traffic counts and a model for the optimal location of traffic counting stations at the same time as a population accessibility model. An important decision making tool is provided for planning investments in road infrastructure by rationalising the high public spending required for this type of work. The models are applied to various possible projects at determined points on a regional road network in the Autonomous Community of Cantabria (Northern Spain) following the proposals and demands of different social and political groups. The models find a 68% reduction in the number of links req...