Title: The effects of accessing real-time bus arrival information via mobile phone on the travel time dispersion of transit passengers

Authors: Muhammad Ridho, Tomonori Sumi

Addresses: Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan. ' Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan

Abstract: This research considers public transit information systems in which the passengers receive real-time bus arrival information (RTBAI) through mobile phone. Such information may reduce the dispersion of travel time for passengers of the bus networks. It is well known that the punctuality of a transportation service strongly affects the mode/route choice of the passengers. An array of scenarios is proposed in the modelling framework of this paper and a model has been applied on a quantity of actual bus routes. The results suggest that accessing RTBAI through mobile phone is an exceptionally effective way of informing bus arrival without actually going to a bus stop. In addition, this paper will provide evidence that accessing RTBAI can reduce the travel time of transit passengers by as much as 19%, while reducing the average waiting time by up to 44%.

Keywords: real-time information; transit passengers; mobile phones; cell phones; bus arrival information; travel time; waiting time; public transport; modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2009.024636

International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 2009 Vol.8 No.3/4, pp.351 - 364

Published online: 13 Apr 2009 *

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