MPC
Research Projects (2000-01)

Identifying Number

MPC-206

Project Title

Attitudinal Analysis of Bus Rapid Transit Alternative

University

North Dakota State University

Project Investigator

Jill Hough
Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, NDSU
(701)231-8082
Jill.Hough@ndsu.edu

External Project Contact

N/A

Project Objective

Develop a travel demand model that will predict mode share based on individual preferences within their particular city. The results will help determine if individuals are likely to choose to ride the BRT system.

Project Abstract

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a relatively new concept in the United States. The BRT system uses a designated bus lane to service passengers along a corridor. The system is much like a light rail system, except it can be implemented and maintained at a fraction of the cost. Curitiba, Brazil implemented the first recognizable BRT System (in what year?). The system is an asset to the city as a result of the city planning efforts over a period of 30 years. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recognizes the Curitiba system as a potential model for communities in the United States to consider when implementing a BRT system. FT A is supporting 10 BRT demonstration projects throughout the United States. There are several important questions surrounding the implementation of BRT. F TA recognizes that BRT systems will help with the mobility issues that are continuous problems in large as well as in smaller communities.

Likewise, BRT may be able to aid in the congestion problems that face both large cities and small to medium sized cities that continue to expand. Furthermore BRT may allow second-tier cities (populations below 400,000) to better plan their transportation strategies to effectively meet the needs of their residents. One important question is "what conditions and criteria must these cities have in order to successfully implement a BRT system?" Most importantly, communities need to recognize if their residents are willing to ride the BRT system.

The focus of this study is to develop a travel demand model that will predict mode share based on the individuals preferences within their particular city. The results of this study will help determine if individuals are likely to choose to ride the BRT system. The results from the select FTA demonstration sites will be applied to select cities in the MPC states to identify the viability of implementing BRT in the MPC region.

FTA recognizes that BRT systems will help with the mobility issues that are continuous problems in large as well as in smaller communities. Likewise, BRT may be able to aid in the congestion problems that face both large cities and small to medium sized cities that continue to expand. Furthermore BRT may allow second-tier cities (populations below 400,000) to better plan their transportation strategies to meet the needs of the individuals. The individual will be able to use public transportation and reduce their dependence upon their vehicles and thereby reduce any congestion problems that may be developing in the expanding cities.

Task Descriptions

• Task 1. Create a Project Technical Advisory Committee. The committee would consist of state and federal transit officials, social service representatives, and transit providers from the FTA demonstration site locations (July 2000).
• Task 2. Conduct a literature review (August 2000).
  • 2.1. Bus Rapid Transit
  • 2.2. Discrete Choice models
  • 2.3. Travel Demand
  • 2.4. Land-use policies
• Task 3. Develop the study sample frame (September 2000)
  • 3.1. Identify the demonstration sites to use in the analysis.
  • 3.2. Identify the MPC site cities to use for potential BRT application.
• Task 4. Conduct site visits (January 2001).
  • 4.1. Identify the BRT sites to visit.
  • 4.2. Select approximately three transit systems to tour and interview transit managers and city officials about their implementation of BRT.
• Task 5. Design a survey instrument for residents of the cities where the FTA demonstration site BRT systems will be implemented, base d off the site visits and literature review (February 2001).
  • 5.1. Initial questions will be designed to allow residents of the city to air their opinions about transportation in the city.
  • 5.2. The next section of the survey would ask for opinions about transportation in the city which would include references to public transportation, conditions of the streets, and areas the city should improve in regards to transportation.
  • 5.3. Questions will be designed to allow residents to rate each relevant mode of travel (bus/BRT, walk, car) for downtown travel
  • 5.4. The questionnaire will be tested by sending it to a select few transit systems to be sure the survey questions are clear.
• Task 6. Conduct the initial survey and collect the necessary data (April 2001).
  • 6.1. Mail survey to sample population.
  • 6.2. Input survey data.
  • 6.3. Analyze the data collected in the initial survey.
• Task 7. Develop a Logit model or another appropriate model for travel demand analysis.
  • 7.1. The model that is developed from the demonstration site locations will be applied to appropriate MPC site selections.
• Task 8. Conduct second survey of residents in MPC cities selected (same survey) (May 2001).
  • 8.1. Survey residents in selected MPC Cities
  • 8.2. Input survey data
  • 8.3. Analyze the data collected in the initial survey using the Logit Model that was previously developed.
• Task 9. Compare results from Demonstration BRT Sites to results from MPC cities (June 2001).
• Task 10. Develop written report (June 2001).
  • 10.1. Develop an executive summary to the research findings.
  • 10.2. Deliver the written report and executive summary to MPC and FTA.

Milestones, Dates

• Starting Date: July 1, 2000
• Project Milestones:
• Ending Date: June 30, 2001

Yearly and Total Budget

Federal $ 35,000.00
University Match $148,332.00

Student Involvement

None

Relationship to Other Research Projects

None

Technology Transfer Activities

FTA, second-tier cities, planning organizations, transit agencies

Potential Benefits of the Project

The results of this study will help determine if individuals are likely to chose to ride the BRT system and if it will be successful in communities.

TRB Keywords

Bus Rapid Transit, busways, second-tier cities, medium-sized cities