Innovations in Multi-Modal Transit Mapping

Innovations in Multi-Modal Transit Mapping

Margaret Carragher E.I.TDr. Kari Watkins P.E.

Outline

IntroductionLiterature ReviewMethodologyResults & ConclusionsGoing Forward

INTRODUCTION

Intro

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Project Goal

As transit systems become multi-modal, so must their system maps.

Address multi-modal system maps Understand rider views on system mapsCreate a design guide for multi-modal,

schematic maps

OverviewTake a new look at schematic transit mapping

Make it easier for riders to interact with information

Create user-friendly maps including bus system to encourage multi-modal travel according to riders

Examine rider reactions to these maps

Determine methodologies for producing mapsTourist/new usersCommutersFrequency

Project Motivation

Zhan Guo’s Mind the Map

Schematic maps impact traveler decisions

Class projectAffect bus/system

awareness

Objectives

Identify riders who would benefit from multi-modal maps

Examine rider desires for frequency and/or destination maps

Examine potential effects on bus ridership

Develop methodologies for creating rider-specific maps

LITERATURE REVIEW

Introd

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Lit Review

Alasdair CainImportance of effective map designNot knowing/understanding bus maps contributes

to non-ridershipUser Insights & Perception

Skewed distancesUnclear mapsUser perception of space

Interviews/Case Studies

Cities with unique transit mapsBostonChicago

InterviewedMap designerAgency who dictated the design/elements/criteria

Boston (MBTA)

Key Bus Route Rules: Run 7 days/week15 min headway during peak hoursEasily connects to rail systemReach underserviced neighborhoods

Figure Source : MBTA

Chicago (CTA)

Bus routes with consistent serviceCategorize attractions

Where people want to goPlaces that can

accommodate a lot of peopleHotels with a capacity

threshold

Figure Source : CTA

METHODOLOGY

Introd

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Methodology

On-board MARTA rail survey of transit usersRail-only usersBus and rail users

Conducted April 30-May 4, 2012Randomly selected participants in all stationsAsked ridership, map-based, demographic

questions356 Completed surveys

About the Survey Participants

5+ times times per week

Several times per week

About once per week 2-3 times per month 1 time or less per month

Never, just today0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

57%

21%

3%

7% 7%4%

38%

17%

5% 6% 6%

28%

Transit Ridership

Rail RidershipBus Ridership

About the Survey Participants

Income

Ethnicity

About the Survey Participants

Car Ownership

License Ownership

No cars; 20%

1 car; 29%2 cars;

20%

3 cars; 9%

4 cars or more; 3%

Did not answer;

16%

Yes; 66%

No; 13%

Did not an-

swer; 21%

MARTA owned parking lots

No frequency criteria

Aimed at commuters

Based on new attractions list

Not all 30 minute headways are included, only those reaching destinations

Most frequent MARTA map

Frequencies 12-20 minutes

Existing rail map

RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS

Introd

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Results

Frequency vs. Popular DestinationsMost useful mapPotential future bus ridership

Frequency vs. Popular Destinations

Question:Is it more important for maps to show the bus routes that reach popular destinations or buses that come often?

Results:Frequent Service: 56%Popular Destinations: 35%Unsure: 10%

Popular Destinations; 35%

Frequent Service; 56%

Unsure/No answer; 10%

Most Useful Map

A: Park and Ride B: Popular Destinations C: 20 Minute Frequency Map

Map D: Existing Map0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

19%

26%

35%

19%

Bus Ridership

Question:If one of these maps replaced the current MARTA overall map, would you ride the bus more?

Results:Yes: 42 %No: 49%Unsure: 8%

Yes; 42%

No; 49%

Unsure; 8%

Summary & Conclusions

Riders found the maps usefulFrequency is important to ridersThese maps have the potential for some bus

ridership increases

FUTURE RESEARCH

Introd

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Future Research

Further data analysisExamine stated preference vs. acted

preferenceConduct mail home survey to reach non-riders

and bus-only riders in affected areasCreate a guide for designing criteria-based

maps

Questions?

Margaret Carragher E.I.T.mcarragher3@gatech.com508-415-9122

Dr. Kari Watkins P.E.kari.watkins@ce.gatech.edu