Evaluating Alternative Operations Strategies to Improve Travel Time ...

SHRP 2 L11: Final Appendices
The Winston-Salem Transit Authority reports that the AVL/CAD paratransit system has decreased operating expense by 8.5 % per
vehicle mile and by 2.4 % per passenger trip (62).
Kansas City Area Transit Authority's (KCATA) achieved $400,000/yr saving in supervisor labor costs because AVL system made
it more acceptable to allow short term reductions in the size of the field supervision force resulting from absences or temporary
reassignment of supervisors (62).
Sweetwater County, WY, almost doubled ridership without increasing dispatching staff by implementing AVL and CADS.
Operating expenses decreased 50% per passenger mile (63).
• Energy/Environment: 3. Simulation of a transit signal priority system in Helsinki, Finland indicated that fuel consumption
decreased by 3.6 percent, Nitrogen oxides were reduced by 4.9 percent, Carbon monoxide decreased by 1.8 percent, hydrocarbons
declined by 1.2 percent, and particulate matter decreased by 1.0 percent (3).
A transit signal priority system in Southampton, England reduced bus fuel consumption by 13 percent, lowered bus emissions by
13 to 25 percent, increased fuel consumption for other vehicles by 6 percent, and increased the emissions of other vehicles up to 9
percent (3).
A study estimated the impact of implementing transit signal priority (TSP) on a 3.95 mile section Columbia Pike in Arlington,
Virginia indicated that during the A.M. peak period, transit signal priority could decrease fuel consumption between 1.8 percent
(Express buses scenario) and 2.8 percent (Cross street buses scenario) and decrease nitrogen emissions by 1.7 percent (66).
• Customer Satisfaction: Over 85 % of Smart Traveler kiosk users in Los Angeles indicated that they would continue to use the
kiosks to obtain travel information (62).
Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority has implemented an automated transit information system which answers 70
% of information request calls. Information request calls have increased by 80 % (62).
Since the implementation of an AVL CAD system, the Winston-Salem Transit Authority reports that paratransit ridership has risen
by 17.5 % and their client base has increased by 100 % (62).
Strategy: 5.4. Traffic Demand Metering
Category: 5. Infrastructure Improvements and Optimization
TREATMENTS AND IMPACTS:
Ramp Metering, Ramp Closure
• Safety: Crash frequency increased by 26 percent after the ramp metering system on Minneapolis-St. Paul freeways was deactivated
(1).
ADDITIONAL DESCRIPTION AND QUANTITATIVE BENEFITS OF TRAVEL-TIME RELIABILITY STRATEGIES Page F-39