The effects of AVL accuracy upon public service bus system performance

Through an examination of the dependence of several key performance parameters of a public bus system upon Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) estimation accuracy, it becomes possible to place in perspective the value of AVL technology to improved public conveyance performance. Important bus transportation system performance measures dependent upon AVL estimation accuracy are: (1) Headway Control Error; (2) Time-Of-Passage Error, and (3) Required Layover Reserve. An analytical model of the dependence of these bus system performance measures upon AVL estimation error has been constructed. In addition, error models of three basic types of AVL systems, i.e., dead reckoning, proximity, and radio location have been developed and validated by experimental comparisons. By employing both sets of models, i.e. for the bus transport and AVL systems it becomes possible to recommend appropriate AVL technologies that best meet the performance requirements of a public bus service. The accompanying text synopsizes the noted models and provides an example of their use.