Winston-Salem Mobility Manager: Data collection, validation, and performance evaluation

JR Stone, JW Baugh, S Chakravarty… - Transportation …, 2001 - journals.sagepub.com
JR Stone, JW Baugh, S Chakravarty, MN Surasky
Transportation research record, 2001journals.sagepub.com
The Winston-Salem Mobility Manager project has served as a test bed for advanced public
transportation systems technology since 1995. The aspects of remote data collection,
validation, and performance evaluation are discussed. The computerized scheduling
software for Trans-AID, the local paratransit system, was accessed and passenger RIDE files
were downloaded. Java-based utilities and conventional spreadsheets removed invalid
data, sorted urban and rural passenger trips, and compared transit productivity measures …
The Winston-Salem Mobility Manager project has served as a test bed for advanced public transportation systems technology since 1995. The aspects of remote data collection, validation, and performance evaluation are discussed. The computerized scheduling software for Trans-AID, the local paratransit system, was accessed and passenger RIDE files were downloaded. Java-based utilities and conventional spreadsheets removed invalid data, sorted urban and rural passenger trips, and compared transit productivity measures. Validated Trans-AID data show relatively few data entry errors, some logical errors, and high time-window violations. Ridership, productivity, and service gains determined by intuitive assessment of traditional measures are not supported by statistical analysis. Rather, the results of t-tests suggest counterintuitive management actions to improve service and productivity. Internet-based methods of data collection, validation, and evaluation demonstrate promise for real-time transit management and agency monitoring.
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