Analysis of Bus Efficiency and Schedule Adherence Case study: Sun Metro Route 15. Outline

Transcription

1 Analysis of Bus Efficiency and Schedule Adherence Case study: Sun Metro Route 15 LUIS DAVID GALICIA CABRERA University of Texas at El Paso Outline Background Problem Statement Justification Objective of the Research Methodology Analysis and Results Observations Conclusions & Recommendations 1

2 Background El Paso Public Transportation System El Paso TRANSIT AGENCIES Sun Metro (City of El Paso Mass Transit Department, EPMTD) MVT (El Paso County Rural Transit, Mission Valley Transit) Background According to Sun Metro s s official site, there are 63 routes. The agency operates a fleet of: 172 fixed-route buses and 56 paratransit buses for riders with disability. 79 buses are 15 years old, 55 are more than 12 years old, and some have been driven 700,000 miles.* Sun Metro operates on a $50 million budget annually (2006) and employs 685 people*. *Jake Rollow interview with Sun Metro Director/ El Paso Times 06/10/2006 2

3 El Paso Public Transportation System Background In addition, Sun Metro has modified 14 routes and/or schedules throughout El Paso starting October 1 st, 2006: Route 3 Route 53 Route 4 Route 57 Route 10 Route 61 Route 22 Route 62 Route 41 Route 64 Route 50 Route 65 Route 51 Route 66 3

4 Sun Metro quality of service survey 63% of regular riders are dissatisfied with Sun Metro's services. 65% of regular riders wait for late buses three or more times a week. 70% of riders who have used Sun Metro for a year or more say service is worsen every year. El Paso Times May Sun Metro quality of service survey Nearly two-thirds thirds of regular riders, those who use the bus three or more times a week, said they frequently wait for late buses. 38% of riders said they had waited an hour or longer for a late bus. 19.4% of riders said they have waited two hours or longer El Paso Times May

5 User s s opinions of Sun metro service El Pasoans were satisfied with Sun Metro, rating it a 3.39 on a 5-point 5 scale Survey on measurement of satisfaction March Institute for Policy and Economic Development at the UTEP. Some other comments. It frustrates me, I have to leave two and a half to three hours early to make sure I get to work on time," said Yvette Lopez, who rides Sun Metro regularly from the Lower Valley to her East Side job. (Yasmin A. Aboytes / El Paso Times) 5

6 More comments. After waiting two hours at the Sun Metro Eastside Terminal near Cielo Vista Mall, Ofelia Martinez, 80, stood while riding the packed Route 59 bus to San Jacinto plaza Friday afternoon (Yasmin A. Aboytes / El Paso Times) More and more. "People got to go to work, they have places to go people to see. This hot weather and the buses ain't working," said Alfredo Gomez from Northeast El Paso. "It's too hot, we're sweating," complained Araceli Artelejo.. She was at a temporary bus location where there's no shade and no place to sit. KFOXTV, June 21,

7 users comments. In fact, I ve I known at least three people who have lost their jobs because of Sun Metro s s infamous tardiness Jenni Jenni Burton, Newspaper Tree. El Paso s s Original News Source May Validating data O-D D Travel Time from Acacia Park to UTEP (5.3miles) using five different modes Walking: Running: Bicycle: Car: 2.1 hours 1 hour 0.7 hour 0.2 hours Bus: hours 7

8 Problem Statement Different Surveys and comments are qualitative measurements of service. This makes it difficult to define a more realistic Level of Service. Existing evaluations concerning Sun Metro s quality of service depend largely on the users and even non users perception during the interview. The need of an alternative approach to obtain a more reliable evaluation of bus performance (LOS). Justification It is necessary to obtain a reliable measurement of service quality to: Identify problematic sections along the route base on quantitative s rather than qualitative methods. Allow a better understanding of route performance. Implement effective plans to ensure schedule adherence and service efficiency. 8

9 Objective of the Research To obtain the service measures of a sample route (Sun Metro R-15) R based on the methodology of Transit Capacity and Quality of Service Manual with emphasis in Quantitative Methods. Methodology 1. Documentary and empirical data 2. Data collection 3. Analysis 4. Results Feedback 9

10 Methodology Documentary and empirical data Meeting with Sun metro staff for some basic information: -Line characteristics: Line length Numbers of drivers per route Drivers work hours Service Coverage Service Hours Methodology -Fleet characteristics and size: Units regular service Units in reserve Units in maintenance Bus capacities Line capacity Peak hours -Schedule Timetable during the study period One-way operating time Terminal time Headway Frequency Cycle speed Maximum operating speed 10

11 Methodology Data collection -Definition of route characteristics Bus station location Survey trip along the route to collect the total number of bus stops Providing codes to stations and stops Identifying the physical conditions of facilities Service hours and schedules provided Line length measurement Geometric configuration Methodology On-board data collection: Boarding different buses during two days to determine the peak hours (corroborating official information). 11

12 Methodology -Once peak hours were identified: Boarding different buses during 5 days to get data on: Running time Dwell time Operating travel time Boarding and Alighting times Headway and Frequency (indirect method) Forms Methodology Route information Route 15 Downtown-Crossroads (OUTBOUND) Date: NOV 2006 Dwell Time Passangers ID & NAME STOP RUN Boarding Alighting MS CIVIC CENTER DOWNTOWN Start Station 1 Oregon St North 2 Franklin Ave 3 Yandell Dr 4 Rio Grande Ave 5 Arizona Ave 6 California Ave 7 Cliff 8 Crosby Ave 9 Rim Rd 10 University Ave 11 Kerbey Ave 12 Robinson Ave 13 Baltimore Dr 14 Kern Plaza 15 Kern Dr 16 Mesita Dr 17 Mesita Dr (across) 18 Waymore Dr 19 Brentwood Ave 20 Executive Center Blvd 21 Foothills Village 22 Sunset Inn MOTEL 23 OSA 24 Warren Inn complex (front) 25 Castellano Dr 26 Argonaut Dr 27 Vista Sol (across) 28 Festival Dr Uncle Bao's (GYM) 31 Mesa Hills Dr NOTES 12

13 1 Oregon St North Methodology Route information Route 15 Downtown-Crossroads (OUTBOUND) Date: Wednesday NOV 15th 2006 ID & NAME Dwell Time Passangers NOTES STOP RUN Boarding Alighting MS CIVIC CENTER DOWNTOWN 9:13:19 9:20:01 42 Start Station 2 Franklin Ave 9:22:58 9:23: Yandell Dr 4 Rio Grande Ave (EPC College) 9:19:09 9:19: Arizona Ave 9:20:12 9:20: California Ave 7 Cliff Dr 9:22:02 9:22: Crosby Ave 9 Rim Rd 0 10 University Ave 9:28:45 9:28: univ@intersection 9:28:45 11 Kerbey Ave 12 Robinson Ave 9:30:28 9:30: Baltimore Dr 14 Kern Plaza 15 Kern Dr 16 Mesita Dr 17 Mesita Dr (across) 18 Waymore Dr 9:32:50 9:32: Brentwood Ave 9:33:38 9:33: Executive Center Blvd 21 Foothills Village 9:34:53 9:34: Sunset Inn MOTEL 9:34:11 23 OSA 9:35:39 9:35: Warren Inn complex (front) 9:36:20 9:36: Analysis and Results Analysis was based on methodology of Transit Capacity and Quality of Service Manual Quantitative method Quality Service Indexes and Parameters 13

14 Headway Analysis and Results Timetable headway 30 minutes Level of Service D Some cases even showed a LOS: E Availability Analysis and Results The service availability for Route 15 is from 5:53 am to 9:40 pm (15h 47 ). Therefore the corresponding LOS is C 14

15 Analysis and Results Comfort and convenience Transit stops Acceptable level of services (A/B) off-peak hours However, during the peak hour the LOS is D Analysis and Results Comfort and convenience On-time Performance On time percentage observed: 84% Corresponding level of service: D 15

16 Analysis and Results Availability Coverage area (using a GIS package) *Further research Analysis and Results *Further research 16

17 Schedule Adherance 0:24:29 0:22:02 0:19:35 Time deviation (min) 0:17:08 0:14:41 0:12:14 0:09:48 20-Nov 16-Nov 17-Nov 15-Nov 21-Nov Series6 0:07:21 0:04:54 0:02:27 0:00:00 Leave Dowtown Mesa at Executive Mesa at Mesa Hills Mesa at Belivedere Mesa at Doniphan Check Points Mesa at Belivedere Mesa at Mesa Hills Mesa at Executive Arrive Dowtown Analysis and Results Comfort and convenience. Survey trips made on Tuesday November 14 th using car: CAR BUS DIFFERENCE OUTBOUND TRIP (min) INBOUND TRIP (min) Corresponding level of service: C 17

18 Summary of Results Comfort and convenience. Availability Avg Headway Hours of Service Coverage area D C Not possible Comfort and convenience Load factor On-time Convenience D D C Overall Level of Service for route 15: D 80 Outbound 70 Passenger volume P (prs/h) CIVIC CENTER DOWNTOWN Oregon St North Franklin Ave Yandell Dr Rio Grande Ave (EPC College) Arizona Ave California Ave Cliff Dr Crosby Ave Rim Rd University Ave Kerbey Ave Robinson Ave Baltimore Dr Kern Plaza Kern Dr Mesita Dr Mesita Dr (across) Waymore Dr Brentwood Ave Executive Center Blvd Foothills Village Sunset Inn MOTEL OSA Warren Inn complex (front) Castellano Dr Argonaut Dr Vista Sol (across) Festival Dr Festival Dr after Uncle Bao's (GYM) Mesa Hills Dr Crown Point Drive Shadow Mountain Dr Balboa Rd De Leon Dr Fountain Rd Alto Mesa Dr Pitt St Resler Dr (Albertsons) Colony Cove Belvidere St Golden Corral Remcon Cir The Promenade Barlett Dr Osborne Dr Crossroads Doniphan Dr Mesa/Doniphan Stations (bus stops) 15/Nov/06_7:11 15/Nov/06_11:11 15/Nov/06_7:41 15/Nov/06_9:20 15/Nov/06_10:47 16/Nov/06_45 16/Nov/06_07:12 16/Nov/06_08:41 16/Nov/06_10:14 17/Nov/06_6:44 17/Nov/06_8:12 17/Nov/06_7:14 17/Nov/06_8:44 17/Nov/06_10:13 20/Nov/06_7:42 20/Nov/06_9:12 20/Nov/06_7:11 20/Nov/06_8:46 20/Nov/06_10:29 18

19 50 Inbound 45 Passenger volume P (prs/hr) /Nov/06_8:00 15/Nov/06_11:48 15/Nov/06_8:28 15/Nov/06_10:04 16/Nov/06_45 16/Nov/06_07:58 16/Nov/06_09:30 17/Nov/06_7:28 17/Nov/06_8:58 17/Nov/06_8:02 17/Nov/06_9:28 20/Nov/06_7:24 20/Nov/06_8:20 20/Nov/06_10:02 20/Nov/06_8:03 20/Nov/06_9: Mesa/Doniphan Crossroads Dr 1 Osborne Dr 1st Remcon Cir Pep-boys 2nd Remcon Cir Belvidere St (before) Belvidere St (before) Belvidere St (across) Resler Dr Pitt St Alto Mesa Dr Palm Court Maguey Pl De Leon Rd Balboa Rd Coronado Center Sunland Park Dr Cresmont Dr Mesa Hills Dr Double Tree Ln (infront GYM) Pepper Tree (before Festival) Festival Dr Vista Sol (across) Argonaut Dr Mesa Park Business In front of Warren Inn Foothills Village Executive Center Blvd Brentwood Ave Waymore Dr Mesa Village (Tequila Bar) Sunbowl & Mesa Las Palmas Life Care Center Kern Dr Don Haskins Ctr Robinson Ave Kerbey Ave University Ave Hague Rd (Palmas Hospital) Schuster Ave Crosby Ave River Ave Nevada Ave Rio Grande Ave (EPCC) Yandell Dr Missouri Ave Stations (bus stations) Outbound Dwell Time 0:07:12 0:06:29 0:05:46 0:05:02 Time (hr:min:sec) 0:04:19 0:03:36 0:02:53 0:02:10 0:01:26 0:00:43 0:00:00 CIVIC CENTER DOWNTOWN Oregon St North Franklin Ave Yandell Dr Rio Grande Ave (EPC College) Arizona Ave California Ave Cliff Dr Crosby Ave Rim Rd University Ave Kerbey Ave Robinson Ave Baltimore Dr Kern Plaza Kern Dr Mesita Dr Mesita Dr (across) Waymore Dr Brentwood Ave Executive Center Blvd Foothills Village Sunset Inn MOTEL OSA Warren Inn complex (front) Castellano Dr Argonaut Dr Vista Sol (across) Festival Dr After Festival Uncle Bao's (GYM) After Mesa Hills Crown Point Drive Shadow Mountain Dr Balboa Rd De Leon Dr Fountain Rd Alto Mesa Dr Pitt St Resler Dr (Albertsons) Colony Cove Belvidere St Golden Corral Remcon Center The Promenade Barlett Dr Osborne Dr Crossroads Doniphan Dr Stations 19

20 Inbound Boarding, Alighthing and Volume Diagram Passanger volume boarding Alighthing 40 Passenger P (prs/hr) Distance (mile) Inbound Dwell Time 0:07:12 0:06:29 0:05:46 0:05:02 Time (hr:min:sec) 0:04:19 0:03:36 0:02:53 0:02:10 0:01:26 0:00:43 0:00:00 Crossroads Dr 1 Osborne Dr 1st Remcon Cir Pep-boys 2nd Remcon Cir Belvidere St (before) Belvidere St (across) Resler Dr Pitt St Alto Mesa Dr Palm Court Maguey Pl De Leon Rd Balboa Rd Coronado Center Sunland Park Dr Cresmont Dr Before Mesa Hills Double Tree Ln (infront GYM) Pepper Tree (before Festival) Festival Dr Vista Sol (across) Argonaut Dr Mesa Park Business In front of Warren Inn Foothills Village Executive Center Blvd Brentwood Ave Waymore Dr Mesa Village (Tequila Bar) Sunbowl & Mesa Las Palmas Life Care Center Kern Dr Don Haskins Ctr Robinson Ave Kerbey Ave University Ave Hague Rd (Palmas Hospital) Schuster Ave Crosby Ave River Ave Nevada Ave Rio Grande Ave (EPCC) Yandell Dr Missouri Ave Oregon St North (Mills) Stations 20

21 Other parameters evaluated Running speed Ave speed 16.9mph Running Speed Outbound Average Speed (mph) CIVIC CENTER DOWNTOWN Oregon St North Franklin Ave (0.05) Yandell Dr Rio Grande Ave (EPC College) (0.48) Arizona Ave (0.10) California Ave Cliff Dr Crosby Ave Rim Rd (0.41) University Ave (0.26) Kerbey Ave () Robinson Ave (0.26) Baltimore Dr () Kern Plaza (0.29) Kern Dr (0.17) Mesita Dr () Mesita Dr (across) (0.21) Waymore Dr (0.33) Brentwood Ave (0.19) Executive Center Blvd (0.35) Foothills Village (0.35) Sunset Inn MOTEL (0.24) OSA (0.08) Warren Inn complex (front) (0.19) Castellano Dr () Argonaut Dr (0.30) Vista Sol (across) () Festival Dr (0.70) After Festival (0.05) Uncle Bao's (GYM) () After Mesa Hills (0.62) Crown Point Drive (0.21) Shadow Mountain Dr () Balboa Rd (0.38) De Leon Dr (0.02) Fountain Rd (0.22) Alto Mesa Dr (0.21) Pitt St (0.42) Resler Dr (Albertsons) (0.14) Colony Cove Belvidere St (0.35) Golden Corral Remcon Center The Promenade (0.48) Barlett Dr Osborne Dr (0.48) Crossroads Doniphan Dr Station Running Speed Ave speed 17.42mph Running Speed Inbound Average Speed (mph) Crossroads Dr 1 Osborne Dr 1st Remcon Cir (12.63) Pep-boys (15.56) 2nd Remcon Cir Belvidere St (before) Belvidere St (across) (12.54) Resler Dr Pitt St (11.37) Alto Mesa Dr Palm Court Maguey Pl De Leon Rd Balboa Rd (27.76) Coronado Center (10.52) Sunland Park Dr Cresmont Dr (50.72) Before Mesa Hills (17.93) Double Tree Ln (infront GYM) Pepper Tree (before Festival) Festival Dr (23.444) Vista Sol (across) (23.56) Argonaut Dr (26.16) Mesa Park Business In front of Warren Inn (25.64) Foothills Village (11.58) Executive Center Blvd Brentwood Ave Waymore Dr Mesa Village (Tequila Bar) (31.56) Sunbowl & Mesa Las Palmas Life Care Center (9.03) Kern Dr Don Haskins Ctr Robinson Ave (15.60) Kerbey Ave (13.38) University Ave (9.38) Hague Rd (Palmas Hospital) (6.41) Schuster Ave Crosby Ave (7.82) River Ave Nevada Ave Rio Grande Ave (EPCC) (12.09) Yandell Dr Missouri Ave (10.91) Oregon St North (Mills) (15.19) Station 21

22 Outbound=49:00 min Inbound = 44:38 min Cycle time= 1:33:28 (3:28 diff) Outbound length= miles Inbound length= 8.991miles Speed Running speed outbound= 16.9mph Running speed inbound= 17.42mph Origin destination speed VODV = 11.09mph Origin destination speed VODV =12.04mph Cycle speed =11.26mph Observations Conflicting section from downtown to Baltimore there are 2 lanes so in peak hours the bus stops increase the vehicle queue behind the TU s. There is not terminal break time for drivers, This produces timetable deviation especially when drivers have the need to take a break at Mesa & Doniphan (10-15min). 15min). Dwell time is significantly affected by riders with some kind of disability requesting a stop (boarding or alighting). Even when there is a special service provided. 22

23 Observations Cont.. There are relatively close distances between stops (34, 80 90m) and as well there are stations with long distance in between (664, 538, 667, 649, 642m). There was a tendency to reach destinations on time when drivers felt monitored. Conclusions The evaluation provides an alternative measurement of service quality of sun metro service It was possible to identify problematic sections along the route (e.g. University stop) It gives a tool for planners to ensure schedule adherence and service efficiency 23

24 Conclusions The overall LOS obtained in Route 15 strongly encourages a revision in the entire bus system. Additionally, all calculations and parameters can be automated in a data base template or spreadsheet saving calculation time and contributing to an updated and reliable estimation of LOS. Thus, planners could use these resulting LOS to identify conflictive points or segments, ensuring schedule adherence and service efficiency in selected routes or the entire system. Recommendations The use of passenger counters devices to evaluate the load and demand discrepancy. GIS based analysis to optimize distances between stops. Origin-Destination study could be synchronized with Mexican transportation authorities or agencies to have better results on passenger mobility estimation. Low-floor (for people with disability) buses and smart cards are actions that help to reduce boarding and alighting times (TCQSM). 24

25 Recommendations A good practice might be installing an official clock due to the differences comparing all users time. Efforts in maintenance teams (relatively old bus fleet) Merging problems in bays: a possible solution is providing signs in the back part of buses to let private vehicle drivers know about the bus right of way Recommendations More recommendations in final report Full document available soon in ITE UTEP student chapter or by request ldgalicia@utep.edu 25

26 Thank Thank You Questions? Background As As part of transforming Sun Metro from a troubled organization into a first-rate rate bus service, a three-year, $1.6 million management contract had just been awarded to First Transit,, a transit management firm in Cincinnati. Jake Rollow,, El Paso Times, 10/11/