Skip to main content
Log in

A Coverage Model for Improving Public Transit System Accessibility and Expanding Access

  • Published:
Annals of Operations Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Accessible and efficient service are vital features of well-utilized public transit systems. Modeling approaches to support the evaluation of transit operations for management and planning are essential for continued improvement. A hybrid coverage model is developed in this paper for simultaneously expanding service access and increasing accessibility. This paper discusses the use and integration of this model in a geographic information system environment for strategic planning. Analysis is presented for public transit service in Brisbane, Australia. The structured model provides flexibility in developing viable policies for addressing system improvements and service expansion, all of which are likely to promote increased utilization of public transit.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ammons, D.N. (2001). Municipal Benchmarks: Assessing Local Performance and Establishing Community Standards, 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caprara, A., M. Fischetti, and P. Toth. (1999). “A Heuristic Method for the Set Covering Problem.” Operations Research 47, 730–743.

    Google Scholar 

  • Central Ohio Transit Authority. (1999). Planning and Development Guidelines for Public Transit. Columbus: COTA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Central Ohio Transit Authority. (2001). The New and Improved COTA: A Summary. May 2001. http://www.cota.com (accessed August 1, 2001).

  • Charles River Associates. (1997). Building Transit Ridership: An Exploration of Transit's Market Share and the Public Policies that Influence It. Transit Cooperative Research Program, Report 27. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Church, R. and C. ReVelle. (1974). “The Maximal Covering Location Problem.” Papers of the Regional Science Association 32, 101–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Demetsky, M.J. and B. Lin. (1982). “Bus Stop Location and Design.” Transportation Engineering Journal of ASCE 108, 313–327.

    Google Scholar 

  • Furth, P.G. and A.B. Rahbee. (2000). “Optimal Bus Stop Spacing Through Dynamic Programming and Geographic Modeling.” Transportation Research Record 1731, 15–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Galvao, R.D., L.G.A. Espejo, and B. Boffey. (2000). “A Comparison of Lagrangean and Surrogate Relaxations for the Maximal Covering Location Problem.” European Journal of Operational Research 124, 377–389.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gleason, J.M. (1975). “A Set Covering Approach to Bus Stop Location.” Omega 3, 605–608.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kwan, M. (1998). “Space–Time and IntegralMeasures of Individual Accessibility: A Comparative Analysis using a Point-Based Framework.” Geographical Analysis 30, 191–216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levinson, H.S. (1983). “Analyzing Transit Travel Time Performance.” Transportation Research Record 915, 1–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moellering, H., H.L. Gauthier, and J.P. Osleeb. (1977). “An Interactive Graphic Transit Planning System Based on Individuals.” Urban Systems 2, 93–103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray, A.T. (2001). “Strategic Analysis of Public Transport Coverage.” Socio-Economic Planning Sciences 35, 175–188.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray, A.T. and Davis, R. (2001). “Equity in Regional Service Provision.” Journal of Regional Science 41, 577–600.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray, A.T., R. Davis, R.J. Stimson, and L. Ferreira, (1998). “Public Transport Access.” Transportation Research D 3, 319–328.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newman, P. and J. Kenworthy. (1999). Sustainability and Cities: Overcoming Automobile Dependence. Washington, DC: Island Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • O'sullivan, D., A. Morrison and J. Shearer. (2000). “Using Desktop GIS for the Investigation of Accessibility by Public Transport: An Isochrone Approach.” International Journal of Geographical Information Science 14, 85–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Queensland Government. (1997). Integrated Regional Transport Plan for South East Queensland. Brisbane: Queensland Government.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saka, A.A. (2001). “Model for Determining Optimum Bus-Stop Spacing in Urban Areas.” Journal of Transportation Engineering 127, 195–199.

    Google Scholar 

  • Toregas, C., R. Swain, C. ReVelle, and L. Bergman. (1971). “The Location of Emergency Service Facilities.” Operations Research 19, 1363–1373.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wirasinghe, S.C. and N.S. Ghoneim. (1981). “Spacing of Bus-Stops for Many to Many Travel Demand.” Transportation Science 15, 210–221.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Murray, A.T. A Coverage Model for Improving Public Transit System Accessibility and Expanding Access. Annals of Operations Research 123, 143–156 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026123329433

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026123329433

Navigation