Abstract:

New data are generated each day in the transport sector - especially using locational information. These location-based data are typically generated from mobile phones, but increasingly they are obtained from point-of-sale/transactions as well. For a transit agency, location data includes fare transactions that transmit both location and temporal time-stamps. For LA Metro’s bus restructuring study, farecard transactional data representing transit trips were juxtaposed against data obtained from anonymized smartphone location data representing overall travel. By retaining key measurements such as start and end times, start and end locations, travel purpose (imputed using heuristics-based algorithms), travel distance, and relative travel times (of auto and transit), a dashboard measuring transit market share across multiple dimensions was generated. This market share dashboard is being utilized to understand markets where Metro must invest to boost/retain market share, and is also being utilized to identify potential markets where fixed route service can be replaced by other alternatives because of low overall demand. The visuals are easy to follow, showcase multiple dimensions within one screen, and provide service planners with actionable insights. Figure 1 shows the interactive dashboard developed at a granular (Census tract level). This dashboard is being used to support transit route planning at a fairly disaggregate level. Figure 2 shows outputs from a second dashboard built at a more aggregate level which is being used to assess markets in a more strategic manner. During the presentation, we will provide a live demonstration of the dashboard along with some key takeaways that are influencing Metro’s operational strategy.