Analyzing Transit Options for Small Urban Communities – Vol. 2: Analyzing Methods

This manual provides an analytical framework and supporting analytical techniques to assist in the analysis of transit options for small urban communities. It is intended for use principally by planners and decision-makers in communities with less than 200,000 residents, but many portions would be useful in larger urban areas as well. Sufficient information is provided in the manual to permit the small urban community to conduct its own analysis without resorting to outside assistance. The information and analytical techniques contained in this manual are presented in three volumes. This volume, Volume Two, Analysis Methods, contains the fifth chapter of the manual. In this chapter, an evaluation approach is described and detailed techniques are presented with which one can estimate the patronage, cost, and revenue implications of a transit service operation; these are three key elements in the evaluation of transit service alternatives.