Data Visualization as a Tool for Improved Decision Making within Transit Agencies
Funding Agency: TransNow/USDOT
Award: $133,000
Principal Investigator: Thomas J. Kimpel
Graduate Research Assistant: Paul Wachana

Description:
The project focuses on the visualization of bus performance measures using a geographic information system (GIS) and other graphical techniques in order to improve decision making capabilities within transit agencies. TriMet, the regional transit provider in the Portland, OR, area has been a leader in bus transit performance monitoring using data collected via automatic vehicle location (AVL) and automatic passenger counter (APC) technologies. A vast amount of information is collected and archived for off-line analysis of transit operations. This information is summarized on regular bases in the form of bus transit performance reports which help inform agency personnel about the status of various parts of the transit system across numerous spatial and temporal dimensions. To date, most of the data presented in performance reports are in tabular format. With the exception of sorting performance measures by either best and worst case examples, a large amount of useful information is not being utilized due to the sheer volume of information available. While the performance reports generated at TriMet have been successful in identifying scheduling and operational issues, a disjuncture exists with respect to the ability to convey important findings to key decision makers including schedulers, service planners, and management personnel. The proposed project has two principal objectives: 1) to develop visualization methods that serve to reduce the quantity and enhance the quality of the information presented in transit service performance reports and 2) to develop effective communication tools for presenting important findings to decision makers.