Development of Bus-Stop Time Models in Dense Urban Areas: A Case Study in Washington DC

Bus transit reliability depends on several factors including the route of travel, traffic conditions, time of day, and conditions at the bus stops along the route. The number of passengers alighting or boarding, fare payment method, dwell time (DT), and the location of the bus stop also affect the overall reliability of bus transit service. This study defines a new variable, Total Bus Stop Time (TBST) which includes DT and the time it takes a bus to safely maneuver into a bus stop and the re-entering the main traffic stream. It is thought that, if the TBST is minimized at bus stops, the overall reliability of bus transit along routes could be improved. This study focused on developing a TBST model for bus stops located near intersections and at mid-blocks using ordinary least squares method based on data collection at 60 bus stops, 30 of which were near intersections while the remaining were at mid-blocks in Washington DC. The field data collection was conducted during the morning, mid-day, and evening peak hours. The following variables were observed at each bus stop: bus stop type, number of passengers alighting or boarding, DT, TBST, number of lanes on approach to the bus stop, presence of parking, and bus pad length. The data was analyzed and all statistical inferences were conducted based on 95% confidence interval. The results show that the TBST could be used to aid in improving planning and scheduling of transit bus systems in an urban area

Exploring Strategies to Improve Mobility and Safety on Roadway Segments in Urban Areas

Several strategies have been proposed and developed to alleviate the congestion and throughput problem usually experienced in urban areas. These strategies include the use of Intelligent Transportation Systems, signal re-timing and signal coordination, among others. In urban areas, there are often combinations of signalized and un-signalized intersections on corridors that may impact throughput and mobility. This research investigated driver compliance rate (CR) with STOP-signs at All-Way STOP Control (AWSC) intersections that are in close proximity to upstream or downstream signalized intersections. Also, strategies to improve mobility and throughput on segments in an urban area were explored via modeling and simulation. Thirty isolated segments with combinations of signalized and un-signalized intersections in the District of Columbia were selected for the study. Field data (traffic volumes, signal timing, lane configurations, etc.) were collected at each intersection of the segments. Driver compliance with STOP-signs at AWSC intersections within the segments was also observed. In all, 13,956 observations were made at 57 AWSC intersections. The segments were then modelled in the software program, and two scenarios were simulated. The “before” scenario simulated the existing conditions on the segments. In the “after” scenario, the AWSC intersections in each segment were signalized (and optimized), while maintaining the same conditions at the signalized intersections. Control delay and average travel speed were the measures of effectiveness (MOEs) that were used to assess the performance of the segments in both scenarios. The results of a regression analysis showed a positive relationship between CR and the distance between the existing AWSC and signalized intersections. A nonlinear regression model developed indicates that, to achieve a minimum compliance rate of 95%, a minimum distance of approximately 1,298 ft. between the intersections is required. Also, a test of comparison of means of the segments’ MOEs in the “before” and “after” scenarios showed significant improvements in the “after” scenarios. Statistically significant reductions in control delays on the segments were reported, while the average travel speed of vehicles significantly increased. The study revealed that even though some un-signalized intersections may not meet the MUTCD warrants for signalization, signalizing and coordinating them with existing signalized intersections will improve mobility and throughput

Predicting Acceptable Wait Times for Patrons at Transit Bus Stops by Time of Day

The time spent waiting by bus patrons at bus stops is a primary measure for assessing the reliability of transit services. Uncertainty associated with waiting affects bus patrons’ perception of quality of the service provided. Consequently, this study aimed to determine patrons’ maximum and minimum acceptable wait times at bus stops in Washington, DC and to develop prediction models to provide decision-makers with additional tools for improving patronage. The data used in this study was obtained by surveying 3,388 bus patrons at 71 selected bus stops in Washington, D.C. over an eight-month period. Data obtained from patrons included their ethnicity, gender, minimum and maximum acceptable wait times (beyond the scheduled bus arrival time), alternate transportation mode choice, and knowledge of bus arrival times. Additionally, data on the operational characteristic of the buses were obtained via video playback of video recordings of cameras installed at the selected bus stops. In addition, information and conditions at each bus stop at the time of each survey was recorded. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine if there were any statistically significant differences in the maximum acceptable wait time of patrons based on gender and ethnicity. Further, models were developed to predict the maximum acceptable wait time of patrons. From the results, the mean of the reported maximum acceptable wait time was 8.5 minutes and 8 minutes, for female and male patrons, respectively. Also, the highest reported acceptable wait time beyond the scheduled bus arrival time was 20 minutes, while the mean differences between the maximum acceptable wait times of patrons grouped by ethnicity were determined to be statistically significant at a 5% significance level. Also, the results showed that White patrons had statistically significant lower maximum acceptable wait times than did patrons of other racial/ethnic groups

Development of a prompting method to promote adolescent mother/infant verbal interactions using bug-in-the-ear-feedback

It has been documented that adolescent mothers are less verbally and emotionally responsive in their interactions with their children compared to adult mothers. These less than optimal adolescent mother/infant interactions have been found to affect the child’s healthy growth and development. This small study aimed to identify and characterize the frequency of verbal behaviors exhibited in the infant/adolescent mother dyad during feeding sessions during a baseline phase of a study that employed single subject methodology. An individualized bug-in-the-ear feedback and prompting parent training model was instituted in the intervention phase of the study to improve the frequency and quality of infant-mother interaction. Results of the study clearly revealed low frequency of verbal interaction in the baseline phase. After a structured prompting intervention was instituted there were positive effects in the mother’s behaviors which in turn positively impacted infant behavior

The Effect of Performance Assessment-Driven Instruction on the Attitude and Achievement of Senior High School Students in Mathematics in Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana

The study was a quasi-experimental research project conducted to investigate the effect of performance assessment-driven instructions on the attitude and achievement in mathematics of senior high school students in Ghana at Ghana National College in Cape Coast. Two Form 1 science classes were used for the study and were assigned as experimental and control groups. These two classes were randomly chosen for the study. The experimental group consisted of forty-two students and control group forty students. Data was collected through the use of an open ended test in mathematics and a questionnaire on students’ attitudes to mathematics. The questionnaire contained 15 Likert-type questions. The independent samples t-test was used to find the differences between the groups. The experimental group differed significantly on the post-test scores from the control group. This study identified that PA-driven instruction improved students’ problem-solving abilities and increased student confidence in doing mathematics because they felt more competent in working mathematical problems. The study also explored students’ attitude to mathematics through the use of a Likert-type questionnaire. The findings showed that students’ attitudes toward mathematics were generally positive. It is recommended that Ghana Education Service should organise in-service training for mathematics teachers on the use of PA-driven instructions and mathematics teachers should also integrate performance assessment-based tasks in their students’ exercises. Keywords: Performance assessment, Attitud