Transit network analysis: providing an optimal transit network strategy for mid-size transit systems

Abstract

Transit network analysis is an emerging field in transportation planning. This practicum addresses the issue of declining transit ridership in many North American regions and the trend towards rethinking transit networks to improve ridership and transit modal share. While there is existing research reporting on large cities such as Houston and Seattle, the focus of this practicum is on transit agencies in mid-sized regions having a population serving area between 100,000 and 1,000,000 residents, with two case studies in Columbus and Kansas City. Redesigning a transit network requires transit planners to carefully consider current land use patterns, ridership/coverage ratio, and most importantly the political environment. The process typically will take years to accomplish. Columbus took four years to successfully roll out their redesigned network to positive results, while Kansas City is in its first full year of planning for a network redesign strategy and are encountering numerous obstacles unique to the region. In addition to examining how to redesign transit networks for better efficiency, this practicum identifies other innovative strategies transit planners are considering in improving ridership and modal share, such as microtransit, universal transit passes, and low-income transit passes. While most of the research focuses on transit agencies in Columbus and Kansas City, several elements can be applied to other transit agencies that are considering a redesign of their transit network. A questionnaire was developed that was sent to all North American transit agencies in mid-sized regions, and five planners were interviewed in Columbus and Kansas City to learn more about the process of transit network restructuring. Findings and recommendations include determining the optimal balance between providing ridership and coverage service in the transit network, realizing that transit network restructuring is a long-term process, and remembering there are other tools that can be used to attract riders such as rider incentives and microtransit. Future research opportunities can include a focus on Canadian transit agencies, winter cities, how transit agencies balance providing frequent bus service in major corridors and coverage service elsewhere, and revisiting Kansas City after they complete their transit network restructuring process.