Transit Capacity & Quality of Service Manual, 3rd Edition Overview of the TCQSM

Transit Capacity & Quality of Service Manual, 3rd Edition

Overview of the

TCQSM


Presentation Overview

What is the TCQSM?Five key concepts used throughout the manualWhat’s inside? Overview of all chapters Focus on Chapters 2 and 3, as these are not covered in other presentations

Mode, service, and operations concepts


Learning Objectives

Become familiar with the TCQSM’s scope, audiences, and organizationLearn five key concepts applied throughout the manualReview mode, service, and operations concepts that are applied in the manual’s methods chapters


What is the

TCQSM?


Need for the TCQSM

In the 1990s, the transit industry lacked a comprehensive document on methods related to transit capacity A variety of research reports and papers existed on various topics However, no single, authoritative source of information that practitioners

could refer to Agency and FTA performance measurement focused on operator-oriented

measures For example, cost-oriented measures Passenger point-of-view considered only indirectly (e.g., ridership)

In contrast, the automobile mode had a document with both highway capacity methods and user-oriented performance measures Highway Capacity Manual (HCM)

The lack of a counterpart transit manual was felt to put transit at a disadvantage when competing for transportation funding


TCQSM Development

1st Edition (1999) Mainly synthesized previous research Introduced quality of service (QOS) framework

2nd Edition (2003) Tested QOS framework Incorporated gap-filling research Added ferry capacity chapter TCRP’s best-selling report

3rd Edition (2013) Evaluated use of 2nd Edition Updated & reorganized manual

to respond to user needs Incorporated new research since

the 2nd Edition Incorporated gap-filling research


What is the TCQSM Today?

Fundamental reference document that compiles a wide variety of work in the transit field that hadn’t been available previously in one place Defines transit service quality from the passenger point of view Presents methods for evaluating transit speed, reliability, capacity, and more Provides guidance on sizing elements of transit stops and stations Identifies ways to positively influence all of the above


TCQSM Audiences

Transit plannersTransportation plannersTraffic engineersTransit operations personnelDesign engineersManagement personnelResearchersUniversity students


Potential Applications

Training Staff new to the transit industry, university students

Reference Useful data for answering questions, transit glossary

Guidance Transit preferential treatments, role of simulation

Service standards development Incorporating passenger quality of service

Service evaluation Diagnose and treat operational issues

What-if questions Evaluate effects of changes being considered

Planning and design Sketch planning, alternatives analysis Bus/rail/ferry/demand-response service and facility design


Five Key Concepts


Concept 1: Quality of Service

Quality of service (QOS) is the overall measured or perceived performance of transit service from the passenger’s point of view

The TCQSM focuses on the passenger point of view A balance must be struck between the service passengers would ideally like

and the service operators can afford to provide or would reasonably provide, given the demand for service

Quality of service has two main components Transit availability determines whether transit is even an option for a trip If transit is an option, comfort and convenience factors weigh into a person’s

decision to choose transit for a given trip


Concept 2: Capacity

Capacity reflects the maximum number of transit vehicles, persons, or both, that can travel past a particular location in a given period of time under specified conditions Maximum (theoretical) capacity reflects the greatest number of persons or

transit vehicles that can be served under any circumstance Not normally used for planning and design Operating to maximum capacity results in unstable operations

Design (achievable, practical) capacity reflects the number of persons or transit vehicles that can be served at a design quality of service

What TCQSM procedures calculate, unless specifically stated otherwise Vehicle (bus/line/vessel) capacity is measured in vehicles per hour and

expresses how many transit vehicles can pass a point in an hour Passenger capacity is measured in persons per vehicle and expresses how

many passengers a transit vehicle can carry at a design loading level Person capacity is the product of vehicle and passenger capacity, is measured

in persons per hour, and expresses how many persons can pass a point in an hour


Concept 3: Speed and Reliability

Easy to overlook among the TCQSM’s other content, because they’re not mentioned in the manual’s titleThe same factors that influence transit capacity also influence speed and reliability Small and mid-sized transit agencies may not have to address capacity issues

very often, but speed and reliability are important considerations for all sizes of transit agencies

Travel time and reliability influence passenger mode choice and satisfaction with transit serviceSpeed and reliability influence the number of transit vehicles needed to provide service on a route at a given headway, which directly affects the route’s operating costs


Concept 4: Definitions

Like many other industries, the transit industry has developed its own vocabulary over the years Complicating matters, transit terminology varies between operators and may

be different from the TCQSM’s usage Local usage should prevail; however, readers should be familiar with TCQSM

definitions and terminology when applying TCQSM methods Terms are presented in italics at the first point they are defined in the text

The TCQSM provides a comprehensive transit glossary that includes many terms used in transit operations and planning outside the areas of transit capacity and quality of service


Concept 5: Local Data

The TCQSM compiles data from a variety of sources and TCQSM methods produce estimates that reflect average conditions

Each location has its own unique characteristics that may not reflect North American averages Passenger characteristics and behaviors Passenger demand patterns Differences in equipment and technology External factors (e.g., motorist compliance with bus lanes)

Whenever possible, use local values as inputs to TCQSM methods Default (average/typical) values may be used when local data are unavailable Consider checking the sensitivity of results to defaulted and assumed values

Illustrative speed and capacity graphs in Chapter 3 can be used to identify the values with the greatest potential impact on the results


What’s in the

TCQSM?


TCQSM 3rd Edition Chapter Structure

CD-ROM

IntroductionChapter 1

User’s Guide

Chapter 2Modes & Services

Chapter 3Operations

Chapter 4Quality of ServiceConcepts

Chapter 5Quality of Service

Chapter 6Bus Transit

Chapter 7Demand Responsive

MethodsChapter 8Rail Transit

Chapter 9Ferry Transit

Chapter 10Stops & Stations

Chapter 11Glossary

Chapter 12Index

Reference


TCQSM Organization

Chapter sequence moves from less technical to more technical Introduction Concepts Methods Reference

Methods chapter content also progresses from non-technical totechnical topics Overview Chapter-specific concepts and guidance Computational methods Applications Calculation examples

Not intended that anyone will read the manual cover-to-cover


Tools for Applying the TCQSM 3rd Edition

Text Chapter 1, User’s Guide “How to Use This Chapter” sections in each chapter Cross-references to related documents with more detail Step-by-step presentation of calculation methods Global and chapter-specific tables of contents Index

PDF version All of the above, plus search capability and hyperlinks to many referenced

documentsSpreadsheets Assist with performing multimodal QOS and bus, rail, and ferry capacity

calculationsPowerPoint presentations Overviews for the each of the major chapters


Chapter 1: User’s Guide

Road map to the rest of the TCQSM All users encouraged to read this chapter

Manual’s organization and contentFive key concepts recurring throughout the manualPurpose, scope, and audiencesGuidance on international useChanges from the 2nd EditionCompanion documents


Chapter 2: Mode and Service Concepts

Introduction to the transit modes used in the U.S. and Canada and how service using these modes can be provided Written for readers new to the transit industry Experienced professionals will also find value in summaries of industry trends

in vehicles, technology, and service types


Chapter 2: Mode and Service Concepts (cont’d.)

Transit mode (and submode) definitions and descriptions Bus

Bus, commuter bus, bus rapid transit, electric trolleybus Demand responsive

General public, limited eligibility, ADA paratransit Vanpool Rail

Heavy rail, commuter rail, diesel light rail (hybrid rail) Light rail, modern streetcar, vintage trolley Automated guideway transit, monorail Funiculars, inclines, elevators, cable cars, aerial ropeways

FerryTerminology is not used consistently in the industry Vehicle and service characteristics, rather than the mode’s

local name, should be considered when applyingTCQSM methods



Operating environments (rights-of-way) Mixed traffic

Transit vehicles and general traffic share the lane Semi-exclusive

Lane partially reserved for transit, but available to other usersat certain times or locations

Exclusive Lane, portion of roadway, or right-of-way reserved for transit

at all times but still subject to some traffic interference(traffic signals, grade crossings)

Grade-separated Facility dedicated to transit without grade crossings



Service patterns Fixed route and demand responsive Route and system levels


Chapter 3: Operations Concepts

All about transit capacity, speed, and reliability and the factors that influence them Definitions section useful for all readers Section 3 discusses the impact of external factors on ridership Remaining sections written for readers new to transit operations analysis


Chapter 3: Operations Concepts (cont’d.)

Why is transit capacity important? The same factors that influence capacity also influence speed and reliability,

which impacts operating costs and passenger satisfaction Managing passenger loads Understanding the impact of operational changes (e.g., fare collection) that

impact dwell time and thus speed and capacity Planning for the future as part of alternatives analysis and facility design Analyzing the operation of streets used by buses, particularly large city

downtowns and around transit centers Special event service planning Transportation system management



Person capacity defined “The maximum number of people that can be carried past a given location

during a given time period under specified operating conditions; without unreasonable delay, hazard, or restriction; and with reasonable certainty.”

A given location: Capacity reflects the number of people that can be transported past a given location, typically the maximum load point/segment

Under specified operating conditions: Capacity depends on the number of vehicles operated (e.g., the number currently scheduled or the maximum that could be scheduled) and the size of those vehicles

Without unreasonable delay, hazard, or restriction: Capacity should reflect conditions passengers will normally tolerate

With reasonable certainty: Capacity should reflect the number of people that can be carried on a sustained basis day after day, considering variations in passenger demand, traffic congestion, and other factors not under the control of the transit operator



Factors influencing person capacity Factors in bold also influence speed, reliability, or both



Vehicle capacity defined “The maximum number of transit vehicles (buses, trains, vessels, etc.) that can

pass a given location during a given time period at a specified level of reliability.”

Has different names, depending on the mode and situation Bus capacity, line capacity [rail], vessel capacity [ferry], facility capacity

Desired level of reliability plays a significant role Vehicle capacity is maximized when a route or line is operated at the minimum

headway, so that the next transit vehicle is ready to arrive at a stop or station when the vehicle ahead of it pulls out and is a safe distance down the line

An unstable form of operation: the moment one vehicle’s dwell time exceeds the amount used in developing the minimum headway, all subsequent vehicles will experience delay

The number of vehicles that can be reliably served is less than the theoretical maximum number of vehicles that could be served



Design capacity The capacity that can be sustained day after day, accounting for small

irregularities in service and variations in passenger demand and arrival patterns

Maximum capacity The capacity that could be achieved if service was 100% reliable, passenger

demand never varied, passengers filled every available space on every trip, etc.Unless stated specifically otherwise, the TCQSM estimates design capacities



Passenger traffic density Passenger miles per route mile Reflects relative ability of modes to serve passenger demands When measured for

the peak hour in themaximum loadsegment, it directlyreflects capacity

When measured forlonger periods of timeand distances (as here,using 2010 NTD data),also reflects demandand average loadingover the length of theroute



Factors influencing transit speed *See earlier passenger capacity slide for all factors influencing dwell time



Average 2010 US system speeds (revenue miles per revenue hour) Modern streetcar data are from 2012 Bus rapid transit data are from 2008 and include Canadian systems



Factors influencingtransit reliability



Example time of day variations in transit demand Demand pattern impacts need for, and amount of, extra peak period service



Example peak period variation in transit demand Designing for average peak hour loads may result in overcrowding during the

peak-of-the-peak



Impacts of external factors on ridership demand Demographics Land use density Transportation demand management strategies

The TCQSM is not a ridership estimation manual, but nevertheless presents general relationships, as capacity planning needs to havea good understanding of possible future demand

Household Density Multiplicative Change Relative to Base Condition (HH/acre) (HH/ha) Households Likelihood of Using Transit Overall Transit Demand

2.35 5.8 1.0 1.0 1 4.7 11.6 2.0 2.0 4

10.9 26.9 4.7 5.9 28 26.6 65.7 11.7 15.9 186 46.9 115.9 20.0 24.0 480



Impacts of dwell time on capacity and speedImpacts of operating environment on capacity, speed, and reliabilityImpacts of stop and station characteristics on capacity and speed


Chapter 4: Quality of Service Concepts

Service aspects that influence passenger satisfaction Transit performance measurement

Written for those new to the industry, agency decision-makers, and staff involved with transit performance measurement

QOS factors Background material on passenger satisfaction research, written for users wanting a

greater depth of understanding of QOS QOS framework

Useful for readers intending to apply Chapter 5’s QOS methods Ridership and cost implications of making QOS changes

Useful for readers intending to apply Chapter 5’s QOS methods

Chapter details are covered in the fixed route QOS presentation


Chapter 5: Quality of Service Methods

How to measure quality of service Fixed route transit QOS

QOS measures designed for use by transit agencies, particularly for service standards development

Multimodal transit level of service (LOS) measure designed for use by planning agencies, particularly in a multimodal planning/evaluation context

Demand responsive transit QOS Potential applications of QOS measurement to real-world situations Calculation examples

Chapter details are covered in the fixed route QOS anddemand responsive transit presentations


Chapter 6: Bus Transit Capacity

How to evaluate bus capacity and forecast bus speeds Bus-specific concepts

Sources of bus delay, factors determining bus capacity, planning-level values Transit preferential treatments and operating strategies Bus capacity evaluation method Bus speed forecasting method Factors influencing bus reliability Applications of the chapter’s method to real-world situations Comprehensive calculation example Dwell time data collection guidance Impacts of bus bunching on capacity

Chapter details are covered in the bus transit capacity presentation


Chapter 7: Demand Responsive Transit

Summarizes the state of knowledge on DRT capacity and ridership estimation DRT capacity factors Overview of existing DRT capacity estimation methods Importance of ridership demand for estimating DRT capacity

Chapter details are covered in the DRT presentation


Chapter 8: Rail Transit Capacity

Methods for estimating rail capacity and the factors involved Rail capacity fundamentals Train control and signaling Train operations Capacity methods

General method—used for most rail submodes, and the starting point for the others

Commuter rail Automated guideway transit Ropeway

Applications of rail capacity methods to real-world situations Role of simulation in rail capacity analysis Calculation examples

Chapter details are covered in the rail transit capacity presentation


Chapter 9: Ferry Transit Capacity

Methods for estimating ferry transit passenger and auto capacity Overview of ferry service and terminals Ferry scheduling and service planning Vessel capacity of docks and berths Passenger and auto capacity Calculation examples

Chapter details are covered in the ferry transit capacity presentation


Chapter 10: Station Capacity

Methods for sizing the passenger circulation elements of transit stations and selected external elements Station design considerations

ADA requirements, emergency evacuation requirements, security Station types and configurations Passenger circulation concepts Vehicle circulation and storage Station elements and their capacities Applications of the methods to real-world situations Role of simulation in station planning and design

Chapter details are covered in the station capacity presentation


Chapter 11: Glossary and Symbols

Comprehensive transit glossaryList of symbols/variables used in TCQSM equations


More Information

TCRP Report 165: TCQSM Chapter 1, User’s Guide Chapter 2, Mode and Service Concepts Chapter 3, Operations Concepts

The TCQSM is available as: Free individual printed copies and PDF downloads through the TCRP

Dissemination Programhttp://www.tcrponline.org

Free PDF downloads directly from TCRPhttp://www.trb.org/TCRP/Public/TCRP.aspx (Publications section)or simply do an Internet search for the report number (e.g., TCRP Report 165)

Individual or multiple copy purchases from the TRB Bookstorehttp://books.trbbookstore.org/

http://www.tcrponline.org/

http://www.trb.org/TCRP/Public/TCRP.aspx

http://books.trbbookstore.org/


Acknowledgments and Permissions

Presentation author Paul Ryus (Kittelson & Associates, Inc.)

Photo credits Operating environments, bottom picture: Sound Transit All other photos: Paul Ryus

This presentation was developed through TCRP Project A-15C Research team: Kittelson & Associates; Parsons Brinkerhoff, Quade & Douglass;

KFH Group; Texas A&M Transportation Institute; and Arup This presentation and its contents may be freely distributed and used, with

appropriate credit to the presentation authors and photographers, and the Transit Cooperative Research Program

Documents

Transit Capacity & Quality of Service Manual, 3rd Edition Overview of the TCQSM