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New evidence on walking distances to transit stops: identifying redundancies and gaps using variable service areas

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  • Ahmed El-Geneidy
  • Michael Grimsrud
  • Rania Wasfi
  • Paul Tétreault
  • Julien Surprenant-Legault

Abstract

The percentage of the population being served by a transit system in a metropolitan region is a key system performance measure but depends heavily on the definition of service area. Observing existing service areas can help identify transit system gaps and redundancies. In the public transit industry, buffers at 400 m (0.25 miles) around bus stops and 800 m (0.5 miles) around rail stations are commonly used to identify the area from which most transit users will access the system by foot. This study uses detailed OD survey information to generate service areas that define walking catchment areas around transit services in Montreal, Canada. The 85th percentile walking distance to bus transit service is found to be around 524 m for home-based trip origins, 1,259 m for home-based commuter rail trip origins. Yet these values are found to vary based on our analysis using two statistical models. Walking distances vary based on route and trip qualities (such as type of transit service, transfers and wait time), as well as personal, household, and neighbourhood characteristics. Accordingly, service areas around transit stations should vary based on the service offered and attributes of the people and places served. The generated service areas derived from the generalized statistical model are then used to identify gaps and redundancies at the system and route level using Montreal region as an example. This study can be of benefit to transport engineers and planners trying to maximize transit service coverage in a region while avoiding oversupply of service. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014

Suggested Citation

  • Ahmed El-Geneidy & Michael Grimsrud & Rania Wasfi & Paul Tétreault & Julien Surprenant-Legault, 2014. "New evidence on walking distances to transit stops: identifying redundancies and gaps using variable service areas," Transportation, Springer, vol. 41(1), pages 193-210, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:transp:v:41:y:2014:i:1:p:193-210
    DOI: 10.1007/s11116-013-9508-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kuby, Michael & Barranda, Anthony & Upchurch, Christopher, 2004. "Factors influencing light-rail station boardings in the United States," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 38(3), pages 223-247, March.
    2. Daniels, Rhonda & Mulley, Corinne, 2013. "Explaining walking distance to public transport: The dominance of public transport supply," The Journal of Transport and Land Use, Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, vol. 6(2), pages 5-20.
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