PATH

Traveler Response to Innovative Personalized Demand-Responsive Transit in the San Francisco Bay Area

Khattak, Asad J.
Yim, Youngbin
2003

Urban sprawl makes conventional transit less competitive and points to the need for more innovative and flexible demand-responsive transit systems in the future. To increase their efficiency, such systems can take advantage of the emerging advanced public transportation systems technologies, e.g., vehicle location and information systems. However, little is known about how consumers might respond to such systems and what they desire. This paper explores the demand for a consumer-oriented Personalized Demand Responsive Transit (PDRT) service in the San Francisco Bay Area. Such a system...

Video-Based Vehicle Signature Analysis and Tracking Phase 1: Verification of Concept Preliminary Testing

MacCarley, Arthur C.
1998

This report describes the results of the PATH/Caltrans-funded project Video-Base Signature Analysis and Tracking (VSAT) System, Phase 1: Verification of Concept and Preliminary Testing. The VSAT System was conceived in 1995 by Loragen Systems, of Glendale, California, as a means for non-intrusively tracking individual vehicles on freeways for data collection purposes. The concept involves the use of a computer vision methods to make simple measurements of external dimensions, points of optical demarcation, and predominant colors of each vehicle. A conventional color video camera serves as...

Estimation of Truck Traffic Volume from Single Loop Detectors Using Lane-to-Lane Speed Correlation

Kwon, Jaimyoung
Varaiya, Pravin
Skabardonis, Alexander
2003

An algorithm for real time estimation of truck traffic in multi-lane freeway is proposed. The algorithm uses data from single loop detectors-the most widely installed surveillance technology for urban freeways in the US. The algorithm works for those freeway locations that have a truck-free lane, and exhibit high lane-to-lane speed correlation. These conditions are met by most urban freeway locations. The algorithm produces real time estimates of the truck traffic volumes at the location. It can also be used to produce alternative estimate of the mean effective vehicle length, which can...

Investigating Institutional Aspects of Multi-Agency Transit Operations-Review of the Literature

Lam, Amy
Miller, Mark A.
2002

Transit systems have traditionally been developed independently from one another,certainly across different regional jurisdictional boundaries,however,even within the same regional jurisdictional boundary where the ramifications of this are most significantly felt.Little attention has been given to coordination,integration,or interoperability between and among systems.As a result,customer satisfaction,market share and public transit relevance has continued to decline. This report,which presents the findings from our literature review of the topic of multi-agency transit operations,...

Integrated Smart Feeder / Shuttle Bus Service

Ceder, Avishai
Yim, Youngbin
2003

This paper presents the design of an integrated smart feeder/shuttle system. The design of such a system was motivated by the need to provide easy access to main haul transit services. Park and ride lots in many train stations can no longer accommodate automobiles brought to the stations. Some train riders have switched their mode of transportation from public transit to solo driving. Shortage of parking spaces at rail stations encourages passengers to drive alone, hence more cars on freeways and worsening traffic congestion. The purpose of this study is to design an innovative feeder/...

Assessment of Service Integration Practices for Public Transportation: Review of the Literature

Miller, Mark A.
2004

This report documents a review of the literature of transit service integration policies. It is the initial task of a project whose objective is to understand service integration policies and practices that transit agencies have employed and the benefits such policies have brought. Studies have shown that ongoing coordination and integration of transit services can improve public transportation system connectivity and reliability, and help make transit a more attractive travel mode alternative to the car. Findings from the literature shed light on several topics, including how service...

Systematic Design for Roadway Interfaces with Applications to Automated Highways

Hall, Randolph
2000

This report provides interim results on the design of interfaces between automated highways and conventional street systems. The purpose here is to identify the strategic issues in interface design, and to provide preliminary analysis on just one of these issues (separation between highway entrance and exits). Future research will explore a full set of strategic issues in greater depth. The central concept explored in this report is how to design a roadway system that comprises multiple layers, some of which are designed for the purpose of accessibility, and others of which are designed...

Determining the Capacity Benefits of Real-time Signal Control at Intersections

Skabardonis, Alexander
Gallagher, Brian R.
Patel, Kartik P.
2000

Traffic responsive control strategies are increasingly being implemented to improve intersection performance. Critical intersection control (CIC) is using real-time traffic data to better assign green times to conflicting movements. However, the benefits of CIC have not been assessed, and existing methodologies for estimating intersection performance do not account for CIC or other traffic responsive control strategies. The effectiveness of CIC was evaluated at seven signalized intersections in the City of Los Angeles. The findings indicate that CIC generally improves traffic operations....

Development Testing And Evaluation Of Advanced Techniques For Freeway Incident Detection

Ritchie, Stephen G.
Abdulhai, Baher
1997

In this research, the authors introduce and define a universal incident detection framework that is capable of fulfilling all components of a set of recognized needs. An algorithm is presented that has the potential to fulfill the defined universality requirements. It is a modified form of a probabilistic neural network (PNN) that utilizes the concept of statistical distance. The first part of the report presents a definition of the attributes and capabilities that a potentially universal freeway incident detection framework should possess. The second part discusses the training and...

An Assessment of Bus Rapid Transit Opportunities in the San Francisco Bay Area

Miller, Mark A.
White, Dustin
2004

This report documents a continuing assessment of bus rapid transit opportunities in the San Francisco Bay Area. In this study we are focusing on bus transit routes that partially travel on California state routes, whether arterial roadways or freeways. A primary component of this project is to consider the inter-connectivity and regional aspects of bus rapid transit systems deployment in the San Francisco Bay Area region. Considering state routes will help identify more regional opportunities for innovative types of partnerships to help address unmet public transit service needs across...