TravInfo Evaluation (Technology Element) Traveler Information Center (TIC) Study (September 1996-June 1997

Problem and Method

The researchers conclude that the TravInfo system successfully collects and integrates traveler information with the exception of problems encountered with the accuracy and reliability of loop detector data. However, the system falls far short of reaching the number of intended TATS users, even with an accompanying media campaign to make potential users aware of the TravInfo system.

Use of the TravInfo system was also far short of expectation for the private sector LDS participants. This is concluded to be a result of unreliable loop detector data, which the private sector uses to assess congestion and suggest alternate travel routes. Approximately 85% of the LDS data accessed was speed and congestion data provided by loop detectors, 75% of which had critical data accuracy problems.

Findings

TravInfo is a field operational test (FOT) of advanced traveler information systems (ATIS) for the San Francisco Bay Area. The project seeks to compile, integrate, and broadly distribute timely and accurate multi-modal traveler information through commercial products and services. The evaluation of the TravInfo system consists of four major elements: (1) institutional, (2) technology, (3) traveler response, and (4) network performance. This paper focused on the technology component of the TravInfo project.

The technology evaluation covered in this paper consists of four elements: systems reliability, communications interface, operator interface, and response time analysis.

System Reliability
Issues in the primarily software, TransView, were the major factor contributing to a loss in reliability of the TravInfo system. The system reliability problems encountered were found to be of serious or critical nature.

Communications Interface
The communications interface is divided into two distinct groups: Traveler Advisory Telephone System (TATS), utilized primarily by the traveling public, and LDS (Landline Data System), utilized by the private sector for electronic traveler information devices.

The demand for access to the TravInfo communications interface was consistently within capacity for the period of this study. TATS access was fairly constant, with some increase in usage due to media reports about the system. TATS usage is disproportionately high for Oakland residents because AC Transit uses the TATS line as a customer information service. However, total usage, even for the disproportionately heavy Oakland region, was well within capacity.

The LDS system experienced problems due to some system reliability issues - problems with the update of data originating in the software led to LDS users (private sector users of the travel data) having to download data several times.

This report goes on to summarize call volume, LDS logons, user preferences by region, and other uses of the TravInfo system. The report also summarizes how certain data are incorporated into the TranInfo system. Finally, "choke points" in the flow and delivery of information in the TravInfo system are identified.