An evaluation of the Central Ohio Transit Authority’s real-time transit information system.
Columbus, Ohio, United States
Want to wait less at the bus stop? Beware real-time updates
Summary Information
Public transit agencies utilize GPS technology and cellular technology to publish real time transit information. These real time transit information systems allow users to see exactly when a bus or train will arrive by checking the real-time position of a bus or train in a mobile phone app. In theory, these systems help people better plan their trip activity by providing them detailed information about when trains and buses will arrive.
A research team at Ohio State University tested how well real-time transit information systems predict bus arrival time. The team analyzed bus traffic for one year (May 2018 to May 2019) on one route of the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), the public bus system in Columbus. They then compared actual bus arrival time to times suggested by the real-time transit information system. Finally, the team calculated average wait time for travelers if they followed the suggestion of the real-time information system.
Overall, the team found:
- Real-time transit information systems did not reduce average wait time compared to just following the bus schedule
- Real-time information systems do not check the location of buses frequently enough to deliver accurate information
