An Approach For The Analysis And Evaluation Of Conventional Bus Transit System Performance

With the growing of urbanization, motorization and informatization, cities have been developing at an unprecedented speed. However, this rapid development has resulted in much more severe traffic problems. In order to alleviate the traffic congestion and improve the travel conditions, much attention is paid to public transport, and conventional bus transit system remains to be the most fundamental mode of urban public transport. Therefore, GPS data and IC card data are used to analyze the performance of conventional bus transit system, with the aim of further improving its services. Correspondingly, an indicator system and an evaluation method are established.Based on worldwide research experience, and taking into consideration the realities of bus transit in China, performance indicators of conventional bus transit system are systematically studied. The indicator system is built in terms of three aspects, the choice of structure, the establishment of dimensions, and the selection of indicators. Based on GPS and IC card data, the identification of origin stations, transfer stations and terminal stations is conducted, and the computing methods for the established indicator system are formulated. Analytic hierarchy process is adopted to calculate weighting values for each indicator, and the evaluation method for the performance of conventional bus transit system is established based on indicators’ classification criteria. Empirical studies are carried out in Suzhou city.The established indicator system for conventional bus transit system, and the evaluation method for its performance, not only facilitate the planning, management, decision-making, and assessment of conventional bus transit system, but also provide useful guidance for the analysis and evaluation of public transport system.