AN EVALUATION OF A FRAMEWORK FOR A PERSONALIZED PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM STUDY (PPTS): FIELD OPERATIONAL TEST

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a Personalized Public Transit (PPT) concept, an alternate bus routing system, and a specially designed operational test conducted for the Dallas Area Rapid Transit System. Using a set of primary and secondary criteria, candidate bus were selected. The primary criteria included: Underutilized routes, test-free routes that cross one of the existing rail lines or transfer centers, and number of stops. Secondary criteria were applied to the primary routes to narrow down the potential test routes. The secondary criteria included: complaints, allowable diversion time, service area of each route, school service, and diversity of land use. The application of these criteria resulted in the identification of several routes used for the Operational Test. The evaluation plan for the project involved a structured two-pronged methodology - before and after studies - for subsequently conducting the evaluation. The methodology for the study involved establishing the initial parameters for the study by assessing demographic characteristics and selected transit-related variables, including trip purpose, mode of travel, car ownership, and daily service quality as perceived by users of public transit service.