Shuttle Transit System Evaluation Methodology: Performance, Characterization, and Optimization

In this study, a unique methodology was developed to analyze the performance of a small to medium sized or university shuttle system. The goal was to develop an inexpensive, quick, and practical means to evaluate such a shuttle system’s performance, ridership demand characteristics and needs, and provide for service scenario optimization. A user intercept survey and on-board performance audit were used to collect statistical, origin-destination (O-D), ridership, and stop utilization data for a case study. The comprehensive and practical data allowed for complete characterization of system performance and passenger demand, and the development of a model that compared the current system and alternate operational patterns as a function of average passenger travel time given the actual demand. Several studies have sought to analyze and optimize small shuttle systems. However, the authors study is unique in that the methodology can be used for any small transit system analysis providing quick data collection, beneficial visual outputs of the data for decision makers, and actual passenger travel times within the analytical model. The results from the analytical model provided insight on the operations of the case study. Information found included ways to reduce average travel time, average wait time, number of routes, and owners’ costs as well as ways to increase ridership. While the results presented are for a particular university’s transit system, this methodology can be applied to examine potential service improvements of any small to medium shuttle system.