| This research aims to evaluate the relationship between weekday light rail ridership and station access features present within one half-mile of each station. All 53 stations associated with the San Diego Trolley network were examined. Ninety independent variables were collected spanning the following categories: transit level of service, densities and socio-economic status, land use, mobility factors, and personal safety. Station-level ridership data (i.e. boarding and alighting counts) served as the dependent variable.;A Pearson's r correlation test was run to determine which independent variables exhibited at least a low to moderate association with trolley ridership. Based on these results two multivariate regression models were created to estimate ridership. Model 1 includes all stations that are a part of the San Diego Trolley network. Model 2 excludes the San Ysidro Transit Center located adjacent to the United States-Mexico Border as ridership is heavily influenced by patrons originating from Mexico while the station's buffer only accounts for land area on the domestic side. Although not all hypothesized relationships were validated, both models displayed positive relationships between ridership and variables from each category. Recommendations for further study include a more robust collection of transit service level variables and parking data.;A supplemental measure of ridership known as stop usage is also introduced. This measure calculates a percentage of use from the total vehicle load to express how each station is being utilized in comparison to others along the same light rail route. The measure is then compared to trends in connecting ridership and select demographic data. |
