The effect of slow zones on ridership: An analysis of the Chicago Transit Authority “El” Blue Line |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Public Administration, University of Illinois at Chicago, 412 S Peoria St. M/C 278, Chicago, IL 60607, USA;2. Center for Science, Technology and Environmental Policy (CSTEPS), School of Public Affairs, Arizona State University, USA;3. Urban Transportation Center, College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA;1. School of Transportation Science and Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory for Cooperative Vehicle Infrastructure System and Safety Control, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data and Brain Computing, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China;2. Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data and Brain Computing, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China;3. College of Transportation Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, No. 1 Linghai Rd, Dalian 116026, China;4. School of Traffic and Transportation, Traffic Control and Control Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang Tiedao University, Shijiazhuang, Heibei 050043, China;1. College of Urban Planning and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, MC348, 412 S. Peoria St., Chicago, Illinois 60607;2. Urban Transportation Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, MC357, 412 S. Peoria St. Chicago, Illinois, 60607;1. Department of Civil and Materials Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, 842W, Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60607-7023, United States;2. Metropolitan Transportation Support Initiative (METSI), Urban Transportation Center, University of Illinois at Chicago,412S, Peoria St, Suite 340, Chicago, IL 60607, United States;1. Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA;2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA;1. University of California-Irvine, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 4130 Engineering Gateway, Irvine, CA 92697, United States;2. University of California-Irvine, Institute of Transportation Studies, 4000 Anteater Instruction & Research Bldg., Irvine, CA 92697-3600, United States;3. University of Arkansas, Department of Civil Engineering, 4155 Bell Engineering Center, Fayetteville, AR 72701, United States |
| |
| Abstract: | Transit agencies frequently upgrade rail tracks to bring the system to a state of good repair (SGR) and to improve the speed and reliability of urban rail transit service. For safety during construction, agencies establish slow zones in which trains must reduce speed. Slow zones create delays and schedule disruptions that result in customer dissatisfaction and discontinued use of transit, either temporarily or permanently. While transit agencies are understandably concerned about the possible negative effects of slow zones, empirical research has not specifically examined the relationship between slow zones and ridership. This paper partially fills that gap. Using data collected from the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Customer Experience Survey, CTA Slow Zone Maps, and, the Automatic Fare Collection System (AFC), it examines whether recurring service delays due to slow zones affect transit rider behavior and if the transit loyalty programs, such as smart card systems, increase or decrease rider defections. Findings suggest that slow zones increase headway deviation which reduces ridership. Smart card customers are more sensitive to slow zones as they are more likely to stop using transit as a result of delay. The findings of this paper have two major policy implications for transit agencies: (1) loyalty card users, often the most reliable source of revenue, are most at risk for defection during construction and (2) it is critical to minimize construction disruptions and delays in the long run by maintaining state of good repair. The results of this paper can likely be used as the basis for supporting immediate funding requests to bring the system to an acceptable state of good repair as well as stimulating ideas about funding reform for transit. |
| |
| Keywords: | Rail transit Slow zones Delays Headway Reliability Ridership |
| 本文献已被 ScienceDirect 等数据库收录！ |
|
