Title: The Use of Geographic Information System Technology to Evaluate Transit Route System Alternatives for a Small Town: Deming, New Mexico
Abstract: This paper describes how transit route selection for large cities is a well established process. Geographic information systems (GIS) are being use to aid the process. Selecting a route for a small town, although an apparently straight forward procedure, can be aided by the use of GIS. Deming, New Mexico, a community of 15,000 people, decided to add transit as an alternative mode of transportation for its residents. The community is composed of a significant numbers of young people, low income, and a growing retiree population. Because of the diverse population, an identified transit route had to meet the needs of a regularly scheduled fixed route system, as well as aspects of a demand-responsive system. Based on the geographic distribution of social, economic, housing, and origin-destination data, New Mexico State University undertook a GIS aided study to identify transit route options for local elected officials and the New Mexico Department of Transportation. Map addition, a GIS technique, was used as a tool to combine data layers and identify the transit dependent population of the city. This was matched with origin and destination data to identify specific route options. The result of the GIS process was the specification of a two-stage preferred set of routes. In addition, the study also reported an operating schedule, a recommended transit vehicle, and a recommended management structure. This paper identifies the method used to specify routes, the challenges of data collection in a small community, and a mechanism for checking the quality of route selection.
Publication Year: 2005
Publication Date: 2005-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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