Effects of Real-time Passenger Information Systems on Perceptions of Transit Services: Investigations of The Ohio State University Community THESIS Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Mahsa Ettefagh, B.S. Graduate Program in Civil Engineering The Ohio State University 2013 Thesis Committee: Dr. Rabi G. Mishalani, Co-advisor Dr. Mark R. McCord, Co-advisor Dr. Gulsah Akar Copyright by Mahsa Ettefagh 2013 Abstract Information systems are increasingly adopted in public transportation to improve service. When well utilized, transit also plays a major role in reducing roadway congestion and mitigating transportation’s negative impacts on the environment, benefits that accrue to transit users and nonusers alike. Nonuser’s recognition of such benefits can be important when agencies seek community support of transit initiatives, and it is possible that state-of-the-art technologies enhance the progressive image of transit. A two-wave survey of The Ohio State University (OSU) community was conducted to study the influence of real-time passenger information systems on travelers’ perceptions of important dimensions associated with transit service. The first wave was conducted before OSU’s Campus Area Bus Service (CABS) implemented a state-of-the- art passenger information system. The second wave was conducted approximately a year after this implementation. Results show statistically significant increases in the value CABS users ascribe to the service provided and their perceptions of personal safety while accessing and using transit services after the implementation of the information system. The results also show statistically significant increases in both users’ and nonusers’ perceptions of the positive contribution CABS makes towards mitigating negative environmental impacts and decreasing congestion. Results further reveal statistically significant association of positive responses with a stated awareness of the ii implemented information system. Socioeconomic variables -- such as gender, whether an individual is a current or past user of other metropolitan transit systems, and university affiliation (student, faculty, and staff) -- are included in the models to control for their possible influences on the community’s perceptions. Interesting statistically significant associations between these socioeconomic variables and positive perceptions are found as well. In summary, the findings indicate the positive effects passenger information systems have on both transit users and nonusers among emerging college-educated professionals, a demographic important for future transit demand and support. iii Dedication This document is dedicated to my family. iv Acknowledgments I would like to express my gratitude to my advisors, Dr. Mark R. McCord and Dr. Rabi G. Mishalani for inspiring me to join the transportation field. Their weekly support and suggestions has always guided me through the right direction. I appreciate all the time they spent helping me through this research and always encouraging me to move forward. I have learned life lasting lessons from both of them which will be extremely valuable in my personal and professional life. I would like to thank The Ohio State University, the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geodetic Engineering, along with Dr. Mark R. McCord and Dr. Rabi G. Mishalani for the opportunity to join the Transit Lab as a Graduate Research Associate. I would also like to extent a special thanks to Allan Johnson for his generous support of the Campus Transit Lab and the Allan Johnson fellowship, which I received during the academic year 2012-2013. I am grateful to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Research and Innovative Technologies Administration through the Region V University Transportation Center (NEXTRANS), the Ohio State University (OSU) Transportation and Parking (T&P) Services (now Department of Transportation and Traffic Management), the OSU Transportation Research Endowment Program, and the OSU Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering for their financial support of components of this research and of my graduate studies. I also acknowledge the assistance of Prem Goel (OSU, Department of Statistics), Yoram Shiftan (Technion Israel Institude of Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental engineering ), Sarah Blouch and v Chris Kovitya (formerly, OSU T&P), and Doug Moore, Ginny Barry, and Julie Wilder (COTA). The views, opinions, findings, and conclusions reflected in this thesis are the responsibility of the author and co-advisors and do not represent the official policy or position of any of these entities or individuals. Thanks to all my fellow research members who contributed to my research and helped me throughout my graduate studies. Special thanks to Ted Reinhold, Greg Hertler, Greg Burch, Cheng Chen, Andrew Landgraf, Chenbo Shangguan, and Xiao Wei. Finally thanks to all my family and friends for their continuous support and encouragement throughout this experience. vi Vita 2011…………………………………...B.S. Civil Engineering, The Ohio State University 2011 to present ……………………….Graduate Research Associate, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, The Ohio State University Fields of Study Major Field: Civil Engineering vii Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................... ii Dedication .......................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgments............................................................................................................... v Vita .................................................................................................................................... vii Table of Contents ............................................................................................................. viii List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... xi List of Figures .................................................................................................................. xiv Chapter 1: Introduction to Real-time Passenger Information System Use on OSU Campus ............................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background .............................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Scope of Research .................................................................................................... 3 1.3 Organization of Thesis ............................................................................................ 5 Chapter 2: Data Preparation and Analysis Methodology ................................................... 6 2.1 Overview .................................................................................................................. 6 2.2 Survey Questionnaire .............................................................................................. 6 viii 2.3 Response Rates of the Two Surveys ...................................................................... 8 2.5 Model Estimation Methodology ........................................................................... 13 Chapter 3: Effect of Provision of TRIP on Travelers’ Safety Perceptions towards CABS ........................................................................................................................................... 16 3.1 Overview ................................................................................................................ 16 3.2 Safety Walking to CABS Stops ............................................................................ 16 3.3 Safety Waiting for CABS Buses ........................................................................... 23 3.4 Safety Riding the Buses ........................................................................................ 29 Chapter 4: Effect of TRIP on Travelers’ Perception of CABS’s Contribution to Reduction in Environmental Impacts and Congestion ....................................................................... 34 4.1 Overview ................................................................................................................ 34 4.2 “Green” Campus ................................................................................................... 35 4.3 Traffic Reduction on Campus .............................................................................. 45 Chapter 5: Effect of TRIP on Travelers’ Perception of Valuableness of CABS’s Services ........................................................................................................................................... 56 5.1 Overview ................................................................................................................ 56 5.2 Valuableness of CABS Services ........................................................................... 57 ix Chapter 6: Conclusion....................................................................................................... 65 6.1 Summary and Conclusions ................................................................................... 65 6.2 Future Research ...................................................................................................