Analysis of Bus Efficiency and Schedule Adherence CaseCase study:study: SunSun MetroMetro RouteRoute 1515
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 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 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 beenbeen 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 El Paso Public Transportation System
Background
►In addition, Sun Metro has modified 14 routes and/or schedules throughout El Paso starting October 1st , 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 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 22-26 2006
Sun Metro quality of service survey
► “Nearly two-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 22-26 2006
4 User’s opinions of Sun metro service
►“El Pasoans were satisfied with Sun Metro, rating it a 3.39 on a 5-point scale”
Survey on measurement of satisfaction March 2006. 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 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, 2006
6 users comments….
►“In fact, I’ve known at least three people who have lost their jobs because of Sun Metro’s infamous tardiness” Jenni Burton, Newspaper Tree. El Paso’s Original News Source May 2006.
“Validating data”
►O-D Travel Time from Acacia Park to UTEP (5.3miles) using five different modes
Walking: 2.1 hours Running: 1 hour Bicycle: 0.7 hour Car: 0.2 hours Bus: 1.1-1.25 hours
7 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 Objective of the Research
To obtain the service measures of a sample route (Sun Metro R-15) 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 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 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 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)
Methodology Route information Route 15 Downtown-Crossroads (OUTBOUND) Date: NOV 2006 Dwell Time Passangers ID & NAME NOTES ►Forms 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 29 30 Uncle Bao's (GYM) 31 Mesa Hills Dr
12 Methodology Route information Route 15 Downtown-Crossroads (OUTBOUND) Date: Wednesday NOV 15th 2006 Dwell Time Passangers ID & NAME NOTES STOP RUN Boarding Alighting MS CIVIC CENTER DOWNTOWN 9:13:19 9:20:01 42 Start Station 1 Oregon St North 2 Franklin Ave 9:22:58 9:23:02 1 3 Yandell Dr 4 Rio Grande Ave (EPC College) 9:19:09 9:19:13 1 5 Arizona Ave 9:20:12 9:20:19 1 6 California Ave 7 Cliff Dr 9:22:02 9:22:11 1 8 Crosby Ave 9 Rim Rd 0 10 University Ave 9:28:45 9:28:56 0 9 univ@intersection 9:28:45 11 Kerbey Ave 12 Robinson Ave 9:30:28 9:30:36 6 13 Baltimore Dr 14 Kern Plaza 15 Kern Dr 16 Mesita Dr 17 Mesita Dr (across) 18 Waymore Dr 9:32:50 9:32:54 2 19 Brentwood Ave 9:33:38 9:33:44 4 20 Executive Center Blvd 9:34:11 21 Foothills Village 9:34:53 9:34:58 1 1 22 Sunset Inn MOTEL 23 OSA 9:35:39 9:35:44 1 2 24 Warren Inn complex (front) 9:36:20 9:36:29 1 1
Analysis and Results
Analysis was based on methodology of Transit Capacity and Quality of Service Manual
►Quantitative method ►Quality Service Indexes and Parameters
13 Analysis and Results
► Headway
Timetable headway 30 minutes Level of Service D Some cases even showed a LOS: E
Analysis and Results
► Availability
The service availability for Route 15 is from 5:53 am to 9:40 pm (15h 47’). Therefore the corresponding LOS is C
14 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 Analysis and Results
► Availability Coverage area (using a GIS package)
*Further research
Analysis and Results
*Further research
16 Schedule Adherance
0:24:29
0:22:02
0:19:35
0:17:08
20-Nov 0:14:41 16-Nov 17-Nov 0:12:14 15-Nov 21-Nov 0:09:48 Series6 Time deviation (min) deviation Time
0:07:21
0:04:54
0:02:27
0:00:00 Leave Mesa at Mesa at Mesa at Mesa at Mesa at Mesa at Mesa at Arrive Dowtown Executive Mesa Hills Belivedere Doniphan Belivedere Mesa Hills Executive Dowtown Check Points
Analysis and Results
► Comfort and convenience.
Survey trips made on Tuesday November 14th using car: CAR BUS DIFFERENCE OUTBOUND TRIP (min) 23.75 44.63 20.88 INBOUND TRIP (min) 23.02 49.00 25.98
Corresponding level of service: C
17 Summary of Results
► Comfort and convenience. Availability Avg Headway Hours of Service Coverage area DCNot possible
Comfort and convenience
Load factor On-time Convenience DDC
Overall Level of Service for route 15: D
Outbound 80
70
60 15/Nov/06_7:11 15/Nov/06_11:11 50 15/Nov/06_7:41 15/Nov/06_9:20 15/Nov/06_10:47 40 16/Nov/06_45 16/Nov/06_07:12 16/Nov/06_08:41 30 16/Nov/06_10:14 17/Nov/06_6:44
Passenger volume P (prs/h) volume P Passenger 17/Nov/06_8:12 20 17/Nov/06_7:14 17/Nov/06_8:44 17/Nov/06_10:13 10 20/Nov/06_7:42 20/Nov/06_9:12 0 20/Nov/06_7:11 20/Nov/06_8:46
OSA 20/Nov/06_10:29 Pitt St Cliff Dr Rim Rd Kern Dr Barlett Dr Barlett Mesita Dr Mesita Yandell Dr Balboa Rd Festival Dr Kern Plaza De Leon Dr De Osborne Dr Crosby Ave Kerbey Ave Remcon Cir Arizona Ave Argonaut Dr Crossroads Belvidere St Fountain Rd Franklin Ave Baltimore Dr Doniphan Dr Waymore Dr Colony Cove Alto Mesa Dr Mesa Alto Mesa Hills Dr Hills Mesa Castellano Dr Golden Corral California Ave California Robinson Ave University Ave University Brentwood Ave Mesa/Doniphan Foothills Village Festival Dr after Dr Festival The Promenade Oregon St North Vista Sol (across) Sol Vista Crown PointCrown Drive Mesita Dr (across) Dr Mesita Sunset Inn MOTEL Uncle Bao's (GYM) Shadow MountainShadow Dr Executive Center Blvd Resler (Albertsons) Dr Warren Inn complex (front) CIVIC CENTER DOWNTOWN Rio Grande Ave College) (EPC Stations (bus stops)
18 Inbound 50
45
15/Nov/06_8:00 40 15/Nov/06_11:48 15/Nov/06_8:28 35 15/Nov/06_10:04 16/Nov/06_45 16/Nov/06_07:58 30 16/Nov/06_09:30 17/Nov/06_7:28 25 17/Nov/06_8:58 17/Nov/06_8:02 20 17/Nov/06_9:28 20/Nov/06_7:24 20/Nov/06_8:20 15
Passenger volume P (prs/hr) 20/Nov/06_10:02 20/Nov/06_8:03 10 20/Nov/06_9:37
5
0 Pitt St Kern Dr Kern Pep-boys Resler Dr River Ave Yandell Dr Balboa Rd Maguey Pl Festival Dr Palm Court Kerbey Ave Kerbey Crosby Ave Osborne Dr De Leon Rd Argonaut Dr Nevada Ave Waymore Dr Cresmont Dr Missouri Ave Alto Mesa Dr Mesa Alto Mesa Hills Dr Hills Mesa Schuster Ave Schuster Robinson Ave University Ave Brentwood Ave 1st Remcon Cir Mesa/Doniphan Foothills Village Foothills 2nd Remcon Cir Crossroads Dr 1 Don Haskins Ctr Sunland Park Dr Sunbowl & Mesa Coronado Center Vista Sol (across) Sol Vista Mesa Park Business Park Mesa Belvidere St (before) Belvidere St (before) Belvidere St (across) In front of Warren Inn Executive Center Blvd Rio Grande Ave (EPCC) Mesa Village (Tequila Bar) Hague Rd (Palmas Hospital) Las Palmas Life Care Center Pepper Tree (before Festival) Double Tree Ln (infront GYM) Stations (bus stations)
Outbound Dwell Time
0:07:12
0:06:29
0:05:46
0:05:02
0:04:19
0:03:36
0:02:53 Time (hr:min:sec) 0:02:10
0:01:26
0:00:43
0:00:00 OSA Pitt St Cliff Dr Rim Rd Kern Dr Kern Barlett Dr Barlett Mesita Dr Mesita Balboa Rd Yandell Dr Festival Dr Kern Plaza Kern De Leon Dr Crossroads Crosby Ave Kerbey Ave Kerbey Osborne Dr Argonaut Dr Arizona Ave Belvidere St Fountain Rd Franklin Ave Baltimore Dr Doniphan Dr Waymore Dr Colony Cove Alto Mesa Dr Mesa Alto After Festival After Castellano Dr Golden Corral Robinson Ave California Ave University Ave University Brentwood Ave Remcon Center Foothills Village Foothills Hills Mesa After The Promenade Oregon St North Vista Sol (across) Sol Vista Crown Point Drive Mesita Dr (across) Dr Mesita Sunset Inn MOTEL Uncle Bao's (GYM) MESA @Doniphan MESA @Doniphan Shadow Mountain Dr Executive Center Blvd Resler Dr (Albertsons) Warren Inn complex (front) CIVIC CENTER DOWNTOWN Rio Grande Ave (EPC College) Stations
19 Inbound Boarding, Alighthing and Volume Diagram
60 Passanger volume boarding Alighthing 50
40
30 Passenger P (prs/hr) 20
10
0 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5
Distance (mile)
Inbound Dwell Time
0:07:12
0:06:29
0:05:46
0:05:02
0:04:19
0:03:36
0:02:53 Time (hr:min:sec) 0:02:10
0:01:26
0:00:43
0:00:00 Pitt St Kern Dr Kern Pep-boys Resler Dr River Ave Yandell Dr Balboa Rd Maguey Pl Festival Dr Palm Court Kerbey Ave Kerbey Crosby Ave Osborne Dr De Leon Rd Argonaut Dr Nevada Ave Waymore Dr Cresmont Dr Missouri Ave Alto Mesa Dr Mesa Alto Schuster Ave Schuster Robinson Ave University Ave University Brentwood Ave 1st Remcon Cir Foothills Village Foothills 2nd Remcon Cir Crossroads Dr 1 Don Haskins Ctr Sunland Park Dr Sunbowl & Mesa Coronado Center Before Mesa Hills Mesa Before Vista Sol (across) Sol Vista MESA @Doniphan MESA @Doniphan Mesa Park Business Park Mesa Belvidere St (before) Belvidere St (across) In front of Warren Inn Warren of front In Executive Center Blvd Oregon St North (Mills) Rio Grande Ave (EPCC) Mesa Village (Tequila Bar) Hague Rd (Palmas Hospital) Las Palmas Life Care Center Pepper Tree (before Festival) Double Tree Ln (infront GYM) Stations
20 Other parameters evaluated Running speed
Running Speed Outbound Ave speed 16.9mph
45.00
40.00
35.00
30.00
25.00
20.00
15.00 Average Speed (mph) Average Speed 10.00
5.00
0.00 Cliff Dr Cliff Barlett Dr Barlett Yandell Dr Yandell OSA (0.08)OSA Crossroads Crosby Ave Mesita Dr () Dr Mesita Pitt St (0.42) St Pitt Doniphan Dr Doniphan Colony Cove Kerbey () Ave California Ave Rim Rd (0.41) Golden Corral Kern Dr (0.17) Dr Kern Baltimore Dr () Dr Baltimore Remcon Center Remcon Castellano Dr () Oregon St North St Oregon Balboa Rd (0.38)Balboa Rd Festival Dr (0.70) Dr Festival Kern Plaza (0.29) De Leon Dr (0.02) Leon Dr De Osborne Dr (0.48) Dr Osborne Arizona (0.10) Ave Belvidere St (0.35) Argonaut (0.30) Dr Fountain (0.22) Rd Franklin (0.05) Ave Waymore Dr (0.33) Dr Waymore Alto Mesa Dr (0.21) Dr Mesa Alto After Festival (0.05) Festival After Vista (across) () Sol Robinson (0.26) Ave University (0.26) Ave Uncle Bao's (GYM) () (GYM) Bao's Uncle Brentwood Ave (0.19) Ave Brentwood After Mesa Hills (0.62) Hills Mesa After Foothills Village (0.35) The Promenade (0.48) Promenade The Shadow Mountain () Dr Shadow Crown PointCrown Drive (0.21) Mesita Dr (across) (0.21) Dr Mesita Sunset Inn MOTEL (0.24)Sunset Inn MOTEL Executive Center Blvd (0.35) Resler (Albertsons) Dr (0.14) CIVIC CENTER DOWNTOWN Warren InnWarren complex (front) (0.19) Rio Grande Ave (EPC College) (EPC Ave Grande (0.48)Rio Station
Running Speed
Ave speed 17.42mph Running Speed Inbound
0.003
0.0025
0.002
0.0015
0.001 Average Speed (mph) Speed Average
0.0005
0 phan Kern Dr Resler Dr River Ave Yandell Dr Yandell Maguey Pl Maguey Palm Court Osborne Dr Osborne De Leon Rd Leon De Nevada Ave Nevada Waymore Dr Waymore Alto Mesa Dr Mesa Alto Schuster Ave Pitt St (11.37) Brentwood Ave Brentwood 2nd Remcon Cir 2nd Remcon Don HaskinsDon Ctr Crossroads 1 Dr Sunland Dr Park Sunbowl & Mesa & Sunbowl Pep-boys (15.56) Crosby Ave (7.82)Crosby Ave Balboa Rd (27.76)Balboa Rd Kerbey Ave (13.38)Kerbey Ave MESA @Doni MESA Festival (23.444) Dr Argonaut (26.16) Dr Cresmont (50.72) Dr Mesa Park Business Missouri (10.91) Ave Belvidere St (before) University (9.38) Ave Robinson (15.60) Ave Executive Center Blvd 1st Remcon Cir1st (12.63) Remcon Foothills Village (11.58) Coronado CenterCoronado (10.52) Before Hills Mesa (17.93) Vista Sol (across) (23.56) Belvidere St (across)(12.54) In front of Inn Warren (25.64) Pepper TreePepper (before Festival) Double TreeDouble Ln (infrontGYM) Oregon St NorthOregon (Mills) (15.19) Rio Grande Ave (EPCC) (12.09) (EPCC) Rio Ave Grande Mesa VillageMesa (Tequila Bar) (31.56) Hague Rd (Palmas Hospital) Rd Hague (6.41) Las Palmas Life Center Care (9.03) Station
21 Speed
► Outbound=49:00 min ► Inbound = 44:38 min ► Cycle time= 1:33:28 (3:28 diff) ► Outbound length= 8.916 miles ► Inbound length= 8.991miles
► Running speed outbound= 16.9mph ► Running speed inbound= 17.42mph
► Origin destination speed VOD = 11.09mph
► Origin destination speed VOD =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).
► 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 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 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 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
25 ►►ThankThank YouYou ►►Questions?Questions?
Background
“As part of transforming Sun Metro from a troubled organization into a first-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, 10/11/2006
26