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Public Transit Planning

Course Description:

Introduction to the PublicTransit System. Analysis of passenger needs and requirements. Specification of basic technical, economic, social, and environmental constraints and parameters. Determination of technical specifications. Crew and bus scheduling. Pricing methods.

Prerequisite Knowledge

Probability and Statistics, Transportation Systems Planning

Course Units

# Title Description Hours
1 INTRODUCTION Characteristics of transport modes (metro, bus, tram). Public Transit systems. 1Χ3=3
2 PLANNING THE PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM Planning the public transit system: basic definitions, brief presentation of models used in each planning step, forecast of demand, O-D surveys, study area, zoning, sampling and questionnaire design. 2Χ3=6
3 SPECIFICATIONS OF THE PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM Specifications: service area, route length, planning new routes, level of service, frequency schedule, transfers, reliability, passenger comfort and safety, information provision and promotion, vehicle capacity, fare structure, prioritization. 3Χ3=9
4 THE ATHENS MASTER PLAN OF BUS ROUTES Planning the Athens public transit system. Philosophy, alternative solutions, quantitative and qualitative criteria for evaluation. Implementation issues. 2Χ3=6
5 NEW TECHNOLOGIES New technologies for the driver and the vehicle, information systems, autonomous driving, Last mile - first mile problem, car sharing and overall assessment. 1Χ3=3
6 SITE VISIT OASA Control Center 1Χ3=3
7 SCHEDULING Bus route scheduling: determination of frequencies, crew and bus scheduling. 1Χ3=3
8 PRICING Pricing methods: cost structure, operational cost, pricing policy, collection and analysis of data, business management. 1Χ3=3
9 EXAMS Oral and written presentation. 1Χ3=3

Learning Objectives

  • Familiarization with the specifications and planning methodology of the public transit system.
  • Understanding the consequences of the planning process, through different examples.
  • Familiarization with the operation and management of public transit.
  • Passenger centric analysis and approach based on passenger needs and techno-economic, social and environmental constraints.
  • Application of the planning process and implementation issues.

Teaching Methods

Teaching methods Class Lectures, problem solutions, discussion of case studies
Teaching media Use of power point presentations. Student interaction via Excel
Computer and software use Yes
Problems - Applications Yes
Assignments (projects, reports) Project: Students choose a geographical area in Athens. The scope of their work is to plan the transit system that will serve the area.
Student presentations Oral presentation/examination of the project
Other Visit to OASA control center

Student Assessment

  • Final written exam: 70%
  • Assignments (projects, reports): 30%

Textbooks - Bibliography

"Public Transit: Planning, Construction and Operation", Karlaftis M. and Liberis K., Symmetria Press,2009

Lecture Time - Place:

  • Monday, 09:45 – 12:30,
    Rooms:
    • Αμφ. Σιδ/κής