Transit Routing Analysis
Definition
Transit routing analysis evaluates how public transport connects origins to destinations given schedules, frequencies, transfers, and walking links. It uses GTFS feeds, pedestrian networks, and sometimes bike-share connections to compute door-to-door travel times, accessibility, and reliability. Scenarios test new lines, headway changes, fare policies, and coordinated transfers.
Application
Agencies design service plans, assess equity of access to jobs and healthcare, and justify capital projects; developers and employers evaluate site transit quality; trip planners improve routing apps.
FAQ
Why are frequency-based models useful alongside schedule-based ones?
For high-frequency corridors, exact schedules matter less than headways; frequency-based models approximate wait times and are robust to minor delays.
How do transfer penalties shape perceived travel time?
People value a painless one-seat ride; adding transfer penalties and minimum connection times better matches rider behavior and satisfaction.
What metrics summarize network quality for policy?
Access to X jobs in 45 minutes, percent of low-income households within 10 minutes of frequent transit, and average transfer count per trip are interpretable KPIs.
How to incorporate reliability into routing?
Use percentiles of travel time from historic variability or real-time predictions so choices minimize risk, not just average time.