using archived data to generate transit performance measures

82nd Annual MeetingTransportation Research BoardJanuary 13, 2003

Robert L. BertiniDepartment of Civil & Environmental Engineering

Ahmed El-GeneidySchool of Urban Studies and Planning

Portland State University

Using Archived Data to Generate

Transit Performance Measures

Using Archived Data to Generate

Transit Performance Measures

http://www.pdx.edu/

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Let Knowledge Serve the City

Problem StatementProblem StatementProblem StatementProblem Statement

• Importance of transit serviceImportance of transit service• New ITS monitoring and management systemsNew ITS monitoring and management systems• Performance monitoring—real time & in retrospectPerformance monitoring—real time & in retrospect• PastPast

– Limited scope and durationLimited scope and duration– Aggregate measuresAggregate measures– Costly data collectionCostly data collection

• NowNow– Unlimited coverage and continuous durationUnlimited coverage and continuous duration– Design, extract and test specific measuresDesign, extract and test specific measures– Actual system performanceActual system performance– Data management/processing challengesData management/processing challenges– Need for generating relevant measuresNeed for generating relevant measures

• Importance of transit serviceImportance of transit service• New ITS monitoring and management systemsNew ITS monitoring and management systems• Performance monitoring—real time & in retrospectPerformance monitoring—real time & in retrospect• PastPast

– Limited scope and durationLimited scope and duration– Aggregate measuresAggregate measures– Costly data collectionCostly data collection

• NowNow– Unlimited coverage and continuous durationUnlimited coverage and continuous duration– Design, extract and test specific measuresDesign, extract and test specific measures– Actual system performanceActual system performance– Data management/processing challengesData management/processing challenges– Need for generating relevant measuresNeed for generating relevant measures

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ObjectivesObjectivesObjectivesObjectives

• Describe how archived dispatch system database can be Describe how archived dispatch system database can be

used to generate performance measures.used to generate performance measures.

• Improve service standards and effectiveness.Improve service standards and effectiveness.

• Begin process for developing, testing, using and Begin process for developing, testing, using and

incorporating performance measures into daily incorporating performance measures into daily

operations.operations.

• Focus on experimental set (pilot) of measures.Focus on experimental set (pilot) of measures.• Part of larger transit operations research program under Part of larger transit operations research program under

Great Cities’ Universities Coalition and partially funded Great Cities’ Universities Coalition and partially funded

by Trimet.by Trimet.

• Describe how archived dispatch system database can be Describe how archived dispatch system database can be

used to generate performance measures.used to generate performance measures.

• Improve service standards and effectiveness.Improve service standards and effectiveness.

• Begin process for developing, testing, using and Begin process for developing, testing, using and

incorporating performance measures into daily incorporating performance measures into daily

operations.operations.

• Focus on experimental set (pilot) of measures.Focus on experimental set (pilot) of measures.• Part of larger transit operations research program under Part of larger transit operations research program under

Great Cities’ Universities Coalition and partially funded Great Cities’ Universities Coalition and partially funded

by Trimet.by Trimet.

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FrameworkFrameworkFrameworkFramework

Cost E

ffective

ness

Cost E

ffective

nessC

ost

Effi

ciency

Cost

Effi

ciency

Service EffectivenessService Effectiveness

Service InputsService InputsLabor, Capital, FuelLabor, Capital, Fuel

Service ConsumptionService ConsumptionPax, Pax-Miles, RevenuePax, Pax-Miles, Revenue

Service OutputsService OutputsVeh-Hrs, Veh-MilesVeh-Hrs, Veh-Miles

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Performance MeasuresPerformance MeasuresPerformance MeasuresPerformance Measures

• Measuring system performance is the first step toward Measuring system performance is the first step toward

efficient and proactive management.efficient and proactive management.• Increasing attention to transit performanceIncreasing attention to transit performance

– Transit Capacity and Quality of Service ManualTransit Capacity and Quality of Service Manual» Quantitative/qualitativeQuantitative/qualitative» Passenger point of viewPassenger point of view» Linked to agency operating decisionsLinked to agency operating decisions

– NCHRP Performance Based Planning ManualNCHRP Performance Based Planning Manual» AccessibilityAccessibility» MobilityMobility» Economic DevelopmentEconomic Development

• Measuring system performance is the first step toward Measuring system performance is the first step toward

efficient and proactive management.efficient and proactive management.• Increasing attention to transit performanceIncreasing attention to transit performance

– Transit Capacity and Quality of Service ManualTransit Capacity and Quality of Service Manual» Quantitative/qualitativeQuantitative/qualitative» Passenger point of viewPassenger point of view» Linked to agency operating decisionsLinked to agency operating decisions

– NCHRP Performance Based Planning ManualNCHRP Performance Based Planning Manual» AccessibilityAccessibility» MobilityMobility» Economic DevelopmentEconomic Development

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Improve ReliabilityImprove ReliabilityImprove ReliabilityImprove Reliability

• Reduce variability of system performance Reduce variability of system performance

– DelayDelay

– Travel time Travel time

• Attract more ridersAttract more riders

• Reduce operations costsReduce operations costs

• Increase productivityIncrease productivity

• Link to service standardsLink to service standards

• Reduce variability of system performance Reduce variability of system performance

– DelayDelay

– Travel time Travel time

• Attract more ridersAttract more riders

• Reduce operations costsReduce operations costs

• Increase productivityIncrease productivity

• Link to service standardsLink to service standards

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DataDataDataData

• Portland Tri-County Metropolitan Transit Portland Tri-County Metropolitan Transit District (TriMet)District (TriMet)

• 62 million annual bus trips62 million annual bus trips• 600 square miles600 square miles• 1.2 million population1.2 million population• 700 vehicles700 vehicles• 98 routes98 routes• 9,000 bus stops9,000 bus stops

• Portland Tri-County Metropolitan Transit Portland Tri-County Metropolitan Transit District (TriMet)District (TriMet)

• 62 million annual bus trips62 million annual bus trips• 600 square miles600 square miles• 1.2 million population1.2 million population• 700 vehicles700 vehicles• 98 routes98 routes• 9,000 bus stops9,000 bus stops

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TriMet Bus Dispatch SystemTriMet Bus Dispatch SystemTriMet Bus Dispatch SystemTriMet Bus Dispatch System

• Bus Dispatch System (BDS) tracks bus location and Bus Dispatch System (BDS) tracks bus location and schedule adherence.schedule adherence.

• Automatic vehicle location (AVL) using global Automatic vehicle location (AVL) using global positioning system (GPS).positioning system (GPS).

• Automatic passenger counters (APCs) on most Automatic passenger counters (APCs) on most vehicles.vehicles.

• Bus Dispatch System (BDS) tracks bus location and Bus Dispatch System (BDS) tracks bus location and schedule adherence.schedule adherence.

• Automatic vehicle location (AVL) using global Automatic vehicle location (AVL) using global positioning system (GPS).positioning system (GPS).

• Automatic passenger counters (APCs) on most Automatic passenger counters (APCs) on most vehicles.vehicles.

Smart Bus Concept

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TriMet Bus Dispatch SystemTriMet Bus Dispatch SystemTriMet Bus Dispatch SystemTriMet Bus Dispatch System

• Real time operating informationReal time operating information• Stop level data archived on vehicle, available for later Stop level data archived on vehicle, available for later

analysis on system-wide basisanalysis on system-wide basis• Each stop geo-codedEach stop geo-coded• New data added for each stopNew data added for each stop

– Scheduled arrival time (important meta data)Scheduled arrival time (important meta data)– Actual Arrive/door open timeActual Arrive/door open time– Number of boardings and alightingsNumber of boardings and alightings– Depart/door close timeDepart/door close time– Lift useLift use

• Schedule adherence reported to operator/dispatcherSchedule adherence reported to operator/dispatcher

• Real time operating informationReal time operating information• Stop level data archived on vehicle, available for later Stop level data archived on vehicle, available for later

analysis on system-wide basisanalysis on system-wide basis• Each stop geo-codedEach stop geo-coded• New data added for each stopNew data added for each stop

– Scheduled arrival time (important meta data)Scheduled arrival time (important meta data)– Actual Arrive/door open timeActual Arrive/door open time– Number of boardings and alightingsNumber of boardings and alightings– Depart/door close timeDepart/door close time– Lift useLift use

• Schedule adherence reported to operator/dispatcherSchedule adherence reported to operator/dispatcher

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Transit Performance Measures (TPMs)Transit Performance Measures (TPMs)Transit Performance Measures (TPMs)Transit Performance Measures (TPMs)

System System

Route Route

SegmentSegment

PointPoint

System System

Route Route

SegmentSegment

PointPoint

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System Level TPMsSystem Level TPMsSystem Level TPMsSystem Level TPMs

• System level TPMs can include all data System level TPMs can include all data procesed for external reporting:procesed for external reporting:– RidershipRidership– BoardingsBoardings– RevenueRevenue– Expenditures of the overall system. Expenditures of the overall system.

• Route level measures can be aggregated Route level measures can be aggregated over the entire transit network. over the entire transit network.

• System level TPMs can include all data System level TPMs can include all data procesed for external reporting:procesed for external reporting:– RidershipRidership– BoardingsBoardings– RevenueRevenue– Expenditures of the overall system. Expenditures of the overall system.

• Route level measures can be aggregated Route level measures can be aggregated over the entire transit network. over the entire transit network.

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Route Level TPMsRoute Level TPMsRoute Level TPMsRoute Level TPMs

• Time distribution between trip time and Time distribution between trip time and layover timelayover time

• Route 12 during one weekday of service Route 12 during one weekday of service (January 24, 2002). (January 24, 2002).

• At the route level, using the archived BDS At the route level, using the archived BDS data, it is possible to create a daily report for data, it is possible to create a daily report for each route. each route.

• Need to control layover time (non-revenue)Need to control layover time (non-revenue)• One day 9% of time at layoversOne day 9% of time at layovers

• Time distribution between trip time and Time distribution between trip time and layover timelayover time

• Route 12 during one weekday of service Route 12 during one weekday of service (January 24, 2002). (January 24, 2002).

• At the route level, using the archived BDS At the route level, using the archived BDS data, it is possible to create a daily report for data, it is possible to create a daily report for each route. each route.

• Need to control layover time (non-revenue)Need to control layover time (non-revenue)• One day 9% of time at layoversOne day 9% of time at layovers

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Route Level Performance MeasuresRoute Level Performance MeasuresRoute Level Performance MeasuresRoute Level Performance Measures

Dwell9%

Stop Circle with Dwells17%

Non-stop Circle with Dwells21%

Stop Circle with no Dwells9%

Non-stop Circle with no Dwells35%

Layovers5%

Stop Circle with Layovers4%

layovers and Stop circles

9%

Dwell Stop Circle with Dwells Non-stop Circle with Dwells Stop Circle with no Dwells

Non-stop Circle with no Dwells Layovers Stop Circle with Layovers

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• Daily report for Route 14Daily report for Route 14• Actual/scheduled hours of serviceActual/scheduled hours of service• Actual/scheduled tripsActual/scheduled trips• Actual/scheduled milesActual/scheduled miles• Actual/scheduled layoverActual/scheduled layover• Passengers carriedPassengers carried• Boardings/alightingsBoardings/alightings• Dwell time analysisDwell time analysis• DelayDelay• Average passenger loadAverage passenger load• Passengers per milePassengers per mile• Scheduled/actual speedScheduled/actual speed• Number of operatorsNumber of operators

• Inbound/outboundInbound/outbound• Peak/offpeakPeak/offpeak• Study longitudinally over many days/yearsStudy longitudinally over many days/years

• Daily report for Route 14Daily report for Route 14• Actual/scheduled hours of serviceActual/scheduled hours of service• Actual/scheduled tripsActual/scheduled trips• Actual/scheduled milesActual/scheduled miles• Actual/scheduled layoverActual/scheduled layover• Passengers carriedPassengers carried• Boardings/alightingsBoardings/alightings• Dwell time analysisDwell time analysis• DelayDelay• Average passenger loadAverage passenger load• Passengers per milePassengers per mile• Scheduled/actual speedScheduled/actual speed• Number of operatorsNumber of operators

• Inbound/outboundInbound/outbound• Peak/offpeakPeak/offpeak• Study longitudinally over many days/yearsStudy longitudinally over many days/years

702446Number of operators

11.111.310.9Average speed mile/hour

11.712.011.3Average scheduled speed mile/hour

14.810.38.9Number of passengers per mile

116.780.173.2Average passenger load during the trip

15,8758,3317,544Total boarding and alighting

7,9374,1653,772Number of passengers carried

1,650.3806.8843.6Number of actual miles operated

1,677.2862.4814.8Number of scheduled miles

207104103Number of actual trips

212107105Number of scheduled trips

0131440557101872Scheduled hours of service

2853148401571483777Hours of service

Seconds

Minutes

Hours

Seconds

Minutes

Hours

Seconds

Minutes

Hours

TotalOutboundInbound

702446Number of operators

11.111.310.9Average speed mile/hour

11.712.011.3Average scheduled speed mile/hour

14.810.38.9Number of passengers per mile

116.780.173.2Average passenger load during the trip

15,8758,3317,544Total boarding and alighting

7,9374,1653,772Number of passengers carried

1,650.3806.8843.6Number of actual miles operated

1,677.2862.4814.8Number of scheduled miles

207104103Number of actual trips

212107105Number of scheduled trips

0131440557101872Scheduled hours of service

2853148401571483777Hours of service

Seconds

Minutes

Hours

Seconds

Minutes

Hours

Seconds

Minutes

Hours

TotalOutboundInbound

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Route Level TPMs: Transit AvailabilityRoute Level TPMs: Transit AvailabilityRoute Level TPMs: Transit AvailabilityRoute Level TPMs: Transit Availability

• Transit Availability—key measure of quality of serviceTransit Availability—key measure of quality of service• One sample census tractOne sample census tract

– 1.5 square miles1.5 square miles– 7,900 population (2000)7,900 population (2000)– 0.25-mile buffer around each bus stop0.25-mile buffer around each bus stop– 38% of area within walking distance38% of area within walking distance

• Transit Availability—key measure of quality of serviceTransit Availability—key measure of quality of service• One sample census tractOne sample census tract

– 1.5 square miles1.5 square miles– 7,900 population (2000)7,900 population (2000)– 0.25-mile buffer around each bus stop0.25-mile buffer around each bus stop– 38% of area within walking distance38% of area within walking distance

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Route Level TPMs: SpeedRoute Level TPMs: SpeedRoute Level TPMs: SpeedRoute Level TPMs: Speed

Transit Operating Transit Operating SpeedSpeed

• Important for passenger Important for passenger attractiveness and attractiveness and operating efficiencyoperating efficiency

• Observe how speed Observe how speed varies with time and varies with time and spacespace

• Example using Example using instantaneous instantaneous speed/location for speed/location for express bus on freeway express bus on freeway corridor (highlights corridor (highlights bottleneck)bottleneck)

Transit Operating Transit Operating SpeedSpeed

• Important for passenger Important for passenger attractiveness and attractiveness and operating efficiencyoperating efficiency

• Observe how speed Observe how speed varies with time and varies with time and spacespace

• Example using Example using instantaneous instantaneous speed/location for speed/location for express bus on freeway express bus on freeway corridor (highlights corridor (highlights bottleneck)bottleneck)

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0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

4:48:00 5:24:00 6:00:00 6:36:00 7:12:00 7:48:00 8:24:00 9:00:00 9:36:00 10:12:00

Time

Dis

tan

ce (

Km

)

Speed and Speed and travel timetravel time

• Inbound vehicle Inbound vehicle trajectories.trajectories.

• See speed as See speed as slope.slope.

• Observe Observe variations over variations over a.m. peak.a.m. peak.

• Compare with Compare with off peak, day to off peak, day to day and beyond.day and beyond.


• Inbound vehicle Inbound vehicle trajectories.trajectories.

• See speed as See speed as slope.slope.

• Observe Observe variations over variations over a.m. peak.a.m. peak.

• Compare with Compare with off peak, day to off peak, day to day and beyond.day and beyond.

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0

5

10

15

20

25

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Time

Ave

rage

Sp

eed

Inbound Outbound


• Inbound and Inbound and outbound outbound averages for averages for Route 14 by Route 14 by service period.service period.

• 17.3 mph 17.3 mph inbound.inbound.

• 15.9 mph 15.9 mph outbound.outbound.

• Compare over Compare over time/system.time/system.


• Inbound and Inbound and outbound outbound averages for averages for Route 14 by Route 14 by service period.service period.

• 17.3 mph 17.3 mph inbound.inbound.

• 15.9 mph 15.9 mph outbound.outbound.

• Compare over Compare over time/system.time/system.

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Route Level TPMs: Schedule AdherenceRoute Level TPMs: Schedule AdherenceRoute Level TPMs: Schedule AdherenceRoute Level TPMs: Schedule Adherence

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Minutes

Nu

mb

er o

f O

bse

rvat

ion

s

Inbound Outbound

Schedule Schedule AdherenceAdherence

• Customer Customer perceptionperception

• Operator Operator performanceperformance

• Schedule Schedule modificationsmodifications

• One day on one One day on one route:route:

• 22% on time22% on time• 51% late51% late• 27% early27% early

Schedule Schedule AdherenceAdherence

• Customer Customer perceptionperception

• Operator Operator performanceperformance

• Schedule Schedule modificationsmodifications

• One day on one One day on one route:route:

• 22% on time22% on time• 51% late51% late• 27% early27% early

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Route Level TPMs: Dwell TimeRoute Level TPMs: Dwell TimeRoute Level TPMs: Dwell TimeRoute Level TPMs: Dwell Time

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Nu

mb

er o

f P

asse

nge

rs

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

Tot

al D

wel

l Tim

e

On Off Dwell

Downtown

Dwell timeDwell time• Passenger Passenger

movement vs. movement vs. dwell timedwell time

• One route, one One route, one day.day.

• Connect high Connect high passenger passenger movements with movements with delays.delays.

• Consider Consider boarding boarding improvements improvements and fare and fare payment payment systemssystems

Dwell timeDwell time• Passenger Passenger

movement vs. movement vs. dwell timedwell time

• One route, one One route, one day.day.

• Connect high Connect high passenger passenger movements with movements with delays.delays.

• Consider Consider boarding boarding improvements improvements and fare and fare payment payment systemssystems

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Segment Level TPMsSegment Level TPMsSegment Level TPMsSegment Level TPMs

Key Segments of Important RoutesKey Segments of Important Routes• Apply route level TPMsApply route level TPMs

• Study high passenger movement areas on Route 12Study high passenger movement areas on Route 12

• Connect land use/densityConnect land use/density

• Compare stop activity with populationCompare stop activity with population

• High passenger movement occurs at transfer points High passenger movement occurs at transfer points

with high proportion of commercial useswith high proportion of commercial uses

Key Segments of Important RoutesKey Segments of Important Routes• Apply route level TPMsApply route level TPMs

• Study high passenger movement areas on Route 12Study high passenger movement areas on Route 12

• Connect land use/densityConnect land use/density

• Compare stop activity with populationCompare stop activity with population

• High passenger movement occurs at transfer points High passenger movement occurs at transfer points

with high proportion of commercial useswith high proportion of commercial uses

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Segment Level Performance Segment Level Performance MeasuresMeasuresSegment Level Performance Segment Level Performance MeasuresMeasures

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Point Level TPMs: HeadwayPoint Level TPMs: HeadwayPoint Level TPMs: HeadwayPoint Level TPMs: Headway

0

5

10

15

20

25

15:21:36 15:36:00 15:50:24 16:04:48 16:19:12 16:33:36 16:48:00 17:02:24 17:16:48 17:31:12

Time

Num

ber

of

Bu

ses

Pas

sin

g T

hro

ugh

th

e S

top

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Num

ber

of

Pas

sen

gers

Actual Scheduled Passengers

0

5

10

15

20

25

15:21:36 15:36:00 15:50:24 16:04:48 16:19:12 16:33:36 16:48:00 17:02:24 17:16:48 17:31:12

Time

Nu

mb

er o

f B

use

s P

assi

ng

Th

rou

gh t

he

Sto

p

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Num

ber

of

Pas

sen

gers

Actual Scheduled Passengers

• Cumulative Cumulative scheduled and scheduled and actual for one actual for one stop.stop.

• See arrival rate See arrival rate as slope.as slope.

• Observe delay Observe delay between two between two functions.functions.

• Passenger Passenger movements also movements also shown.shown.

• Control Control bunching.bunching.

• Cumulative Cumulative scheduled and scheduled and actual for one actual for one stop.stop.

• See arrival rate See arrival rate as slope.as slope.

• Observe delay Observe delay between two between two functions.functions.

• Passenger Passenger movements also movements also shown.shown.

• Control Control bunching.bunching.

On-time On-time performanceperformanceOn-time On-time performanceperformance

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Conclusion Conclusion Conclusion Conclusion

• Shift from relying on few, general, aggregate measures Shift from relying on few, general, aggregate measures to detailed, specific measures.to detailed, specific measures.

• Challenges in data collection deployment and archiving—Challenges in data collection deployment and archiving—demonstration of value.demonstration of value.

• Difficulties in converting large quantities of data into Difficulties in converting large quantities of data into meaningful, useful information.meaningful, useful information.

• Connections to service standards.Connections to service standards.• Importance of performance measurement for planning, Importance of performance measurement for planning,

system design/modification and operations.system design/modification and operations.• Support development of TCQSM.Support development of TCQSM.• Experiment with new TPMs and track them over time.Experiment with new TPMs and track them over time.• Introduce into daily operations environment.Introduce into daily operations environment.

• Shift from relying on few, general, aggregate measures Shift from relying on few, general, aggregate measures to detailed, specific measures.to detailed, specific measures.

• Challenges in data collection deployment and archiving—Challenges in data collection deployment and archiving—demonstration of value.demonstration of value.

• Difficulties in converting large quantities of data into Difficulties in converting large quantities of data into meaningful, useful information.meaningful, useful information.

• Connections to service standards.Connections to service standards.• Importance of performance measurement for planning, Importance of performance measurement for planning,

system design/modification and operations.system design/modification and operations.• Support development of TCQSM.Support development of TCQSM.• Experiment with new TPMs and track them over time.Experiment with new TPMs and track them over time.• Introduce into daily operations environment.Introduce into daily operations environment.

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AcknowledgementsAcknowledgementsAcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Steve Callas, TriMet Steve Callas, TriMet

Thomas Kimpel, Center for Urban Studies Thomas Kimpel, Center for Urban Studies

James Strathman, Center for Urban StudiesJames Strathman, Center for Urban Studies

Great Cities Universities CoalitionGreat Cities Universities Coalition

Steve Callas, TriMet Steve Callas, TriMet

Thomas Kimpel, Center for Urban Studies Thomas Kimpel, Center for Urban Studies

James Strathman, Center for Urban StudiesJames Strathman, Center for Urban Studies

Great Cities Universities CoalitionGreat Cities Universities Coalition

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Thank You!Thank You!Thank You!Thank You!

using archived data to generate transit performance measures

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