This document discusses how Valley Metro, a public transit agency in Phoenix, Arizona, uses GIS tools at different stages of transit planning and route optimization. It describes the Route Analysis Tool that Valley Metro uses to plan new routes by analyzing demographic and cost estimates. It also discusses how Valley Metro collects bus stop data and maintains a bus stop database to implement new routes. Finally, it mentions the On-Time Performance app that Valley Metro uses to analyze route performance by collecting arrival and departure times at stops.

1. Transit Planning and Route Optimization
through GIS

2. About Valley Metro
• Public transit agency
for the Phoenix,
Arizona area
• Light rail
• Bus
• Vanpool
• Paratransit services

3. Transit for Super Bowl XLIX

4. Overview
• Before- Planning the route
Route Analysis Tool
• During-Implemnting the route
Web Maps
Bus Stop Database
• After-Analyzing the route
On Time Performance app

5. Planning the Route
GIS is the best tool to answer these questions

6. Route Analysis Tool
Service Type
Fiscal year of
service
Peak and off-
peak
frequency
Span of
service

7. Route Analysis Tool Data
Route Specific Data
Number of trips - Miles traveled - Net cost- Fleet Required - Existing Ridership -
Projected Ridership
Demographic Data
Total Population - Households - Zero & One Car Households - Low Income - Elderly
Youth - Disability - Minority
Employment
Number of Employees - Current Transit Riders – People Interested in Transit

8. Route Analysis Tool Model
Add Fields BuffersSpatial JoinsField CalculationsCost EstimatesFleet EstimatesFile Outputs

9. Route Analysis Tool Example
• Cost: $1.1 M
• Fleet: 7 Buses
Lower:
• Pop Density
• Minority
• Low Income
• Zero Car HH
• Disability
• Projected
Boardings
Higher:
• Youth
• Employment
Density
Processing Time:
• 6 Minutes

10. Route Analysis Tool Benefits
• Ability to quickly analyze potential route.
• Demographics comparison to the entire
county and the service area.
• Cost and fleet estimates.
• Speed!!!!

11. Implementing the Route
Planning the route
Route in Operation

12. Valley Metro System Map
ArcGIS
Online

13. Previous Bus Stop Setup
Finance Scheduling
Operations GIS

14. Optimal Bus Stop Data Setup
GIS
Finance Scheduling Operations

15. Bus Stop Data Collection
• Visit
• Validate
• View

16. Using Collector for ArcGIS

17. Bus Stop Data Collected
• Bus Stop ID
• NextRide ID
• Generalized Location
• Jurisdiction
• # Shelters
• # Benches
• Bus Bay
• # Bike Racks
• Water Fountain
• Public Art
• ADA Compliant
• Emergency Call Box
• Information Display
• Stop Type
• Date Updated
• Sidewalk
• Photo
• Scheduling ID
• Detailed Location
• Travel Direction
• Latitude
• Longitude
• Routes

18. Bus Stop Database Example

19. Benefits of using a GIS database
for bus stops
• Location based
• GIS database used to feed information to
all the subsequent processes
• ONE LOCATION!!!

20. Analyzing the Route

21. On-Time Performance App

22. OTP App Example

23. OTP App Attributes Collected
• Date
• Bus Number
• Data Collector
• Route Name
• Route Direction
• Run
• Block
• Trip
• Published Time
• Wheelchair Boarding
• Bicycle Boarding
• Location
• Arrival Time
• Timepoint
• Departure Time
• # of Boardings at Stop
• # of Alightings at Stop
• Comment
• Total Boardings
• Total Alightings
• Max Passenger Load
23

24. OTP App Benefits
• Capture accurate arrival and departure
times at every bus stop
• Verify ridership totals from existing
systems
• Possible extenuating circumstances for
poor on-time performance
• Gain a better understanding of a route
outside of planning

25. Summary
• Quickly provide and analyze essential
demographic, economic, and cost
estimates for planning new routes
• Collect data and inform the transit riders of
changes to the routes
• Analyze how the route is performing

26. Cory Whittaker, GISP
GIS Administrator
cwhittaker@valleymetro.org
valleymetro.org