Improving Access and Management of Transit ITS Data

The objective of this research is to develop a common, practical approach to storing, accessing, and managing fixed-route transit ITS data.  This data management approach should address the following: (1) Current data sources, access, quality, and integration challenges; (2) Relationship between historical schedule data and ITS data; (3) Differing needs of transit agencies and other users of transit ITS data; (4) Optimal configuration allowing regular improvement and sharing across the industry; (5) Exchange of reports, tools, and analytical techniques based on transit ITS data; and  (6) Methods and procedures for developing operations management reporting and decision-support systems. For the purpose of this research study, the scope of ITS data elements include the following core data sets: (1) AVL data that includes stop and time-point arrival and departure times, intermediate vehicle location observations, and other vehicle event data; (2) APC data that includes boarding and alighting counts by trip and stop; and (3) AFC data that includes individual fare transactions.  Where possible, these data elements should be matched with schedule service information. The data management approach should allow expansion in the future to accommodate other transit operational data.  The outcome of this research study should: (1) Support transit agencies in accessing and using their ITS data, (2) Prepare transit agency staff for the world of big data management and analysis, (3) Improve understanding of policy implications of changing data structures on data governance and vendor relationships, (4) Promote development and sharing of tools and reports based on ITS data, (5) Promote research using ITS data, and (6) Bottom line: improve quality, efficiency, and safety of transit service.

• Record URL:
  http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=4687
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Proposed
• Funding: $350000
• Contract Numbers:

  Project G-18

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Transit Cooperative Research Program

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC    20001

  Federal Transit Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Goldstein, Lawrence

• Start Date: 20201215
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Access; Data collection; Data management; Data sharing; Data storage; Intelligent transportation systems; Public transit; Quality of service
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01690654
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project G-18
• Files: TRB, RiP
• Created Date: Jan 7 2019 3:04PM