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From page 38... ... Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-1 Transit Cooperative Research Program Project A-29 Controlling System Costs: Basic and Advanced Scheduling Manuals and Contemporary Issues in Transit Scheduling Appendix B Transit Agency Survey Results B.1 Introduction and Methodology The Transit Agency Survey, undertaken as a Phase I task of TCRP Project A-29, was developed as a tool for understanding the state of the practice in scheduling at transit properties of different sizes, for identifying the challenges facing transit operators as they schedule their system, and to assist in identifying agencies for detailed case study analysis in Phase II of the project. Read the entire page →
From page 39... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-2 Each section of this report presents survey results related to a specific topic area. Read the entire page →
From page 40... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-3 B.2 General Scheduling Practices Participating transit agencies were asked to rank the primary reasons that they revise their schedules. Read the entire page →
From page 41... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-4 With service changes being a primary reason for updating schedules, agencies were asked how much of their service changes in any given year. Read the entire page →
From page 42... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-5 Most agencies indicated that the schedule creation process takes six months or less from concept to implementation. Read the entire page →
From page 43... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-6 Although nearly all agencies operate and schedule both fixed route and paratransit service, these services are being scheduled separately, particularly at larger agencies. Read the entire page →
From page 44... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-7 Union review and approval is required at approximately one- third of responding agencies. Read the entire page →
From page 45... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-8 Most agencies reported that exception scheduling does not account for a significant portion of the scheduling department's workload. Read the entire page →
From page 46... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-9 As noted in the introduction, survey responses regarding constraints that limit the efficiency of schedules are especially important. Read the entire page →
From page 47... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-10 When asked to prioritize in terms of practices the agency would change if it could, 24 percent cited spread time limitations, 24 percent named break requirements, and 22 percent would change split run limitations. Read the entire page →
From page 48... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-11 One survey question asked about innovative or alternative approaches to scheduling that might be of interest to other systems. Read the entire page →
From page 49... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-12 B.3 Schedule Writing Workload and historical requirements typically determine manpower needs for scheduling departments. Read the entire page →
From page 50... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-13 Most agencies adjust their schedules as needed. Read the entire page →
From page 51... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-14 Most agencies (85 percent) Read the entire page →
From page 52... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-15 Agencies frequently use multiple means to determine service frequency on a given route. Read the entire page →
From page 53... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-16 Clockface headways are considered important at approximately two-thirds of responding agencies. Read the entire page →
From page 54... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-17 Timed transfers are an established feature of transit systems: 73 percent of respondents report the use of timed transfers. Read the entire page →
From page 55... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-18 Agencies tend to have either a low or high percentage of routes with at least one timed transfer. Read the entire page →
From page 56... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-19 Over two-thirds of agencies operate school day only trips, ranging from 38 percent of small agencies to 90 percent of large agencies. Read the entire page →
From page 57... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-20 Nearly 70 percent of respondents reported that they intertime multiple routes operating in a single corridor. Read the entire page →
From page 58... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-21 Survey responses regarding constraints and other influencing factors on various aspects of scheduling are especially important. Read the entire page →
From page 59... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-22 B.4 Running Time and Layover/Recovery Time Running Time One of the principal challenges that a scheduler faces is to establish "optimal" running times on route segments. Read the entire page →
From page 60... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-23 Almost half of participating agencies collect running time data on a typical route daily, due largely to the increased prevalence of new technologies like AVL and APC. Read the entire page →
From page 61... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-24 Most agencies use more than three days worth of data to calculate running times. Read the entire page →
From page 62... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-25 Among agencies using APC or AVL data, 82 percent reported that its use has improved reliability of service by providing more accurate (through multiple observations) Read the entire page →
From page 63... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-26 Most agencies (86 percent) Read the entire page →
From page 64... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-27 Route length is a factor affecting running time reliability, according to 59 percent of responding agencies. Read the entire page →
From page 65... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-28 Running time is not only affected by traffic congestion and ridership. Read the entire page →
From page 66... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-29 One-third of responding agencies indicated that vehicle type affects dwell time. Read the entire page →
From page 67... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-30 Layover and Recovery Time Layover time is used to allow vehicle operators a break from driving. Read the entire page →
From page 68... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-31 Sixty percent of respondents do not have a minimum layover prescribed in their labor contract. Read the entire page →
From page 69... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-32 Respondents reported layover time as a percentage of platform time and of total in-service time, either overall or by day of the week. Read the entire page →
From page 70... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Read the entire page →
From page 71... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Read the entire page →
From page 72... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-35 Approximately half of the participating agencies provide mid-route layover time. Read the entire page →
From page 73... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Read the entire page →
From page 74... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-37 B.5 Blocking Blocking practices are largely dependent on the agency size. Read the entire page →
From page 75... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-38 Only one-quarter of responding agencies indicated that they undertake "optimized" systemwide blocking, but the agencies that do this tend to do it with every bid or schedule change. Read the entire page →
From page 76... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-39 Among agencies that interline, 42 percent stated that there is evidence of negative reliability impacts from interlining. Read the entire page →
From page 77... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Read the entire page →
From page 78... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Read the entire page →
From page 79... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-42 Survey responses regarding constraints and other influencing factors on various aspects of scheduling are especially important. Read the entire page →
From page 80... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-43 In deciding if a blocking solution is efficient, number of peak vehicles required and percentage of layover and recovery time are the parameters used most frequently. Read the entire page →
From page 81... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-44 B.6 Runcutting Runcutting is most often undertaken at the garage level basis. Read the entire page →
From page 82... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-45 Many agencies must pay overtime for work over eight hours a day (42 percent) Read the entire page →
From page 83... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-46 Nearly all agencies have guaranteed minimum time for full-time operators. Read the entire page →
From page 84... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-47 Half of responding agencies require daily make-up time. Read the entire page →
From page 85... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-48 Operator breaks, for meals or other purposes, are a challenge for schedulers. Read the entire page →
From page 86... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-49 Operator breaks are mandated by either labor agreement or law in most large agencies, but overall many agencies schedule breaks by operating practice/preference. Read the entire page →
From page 87... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-50 The majority of agencies (85 percent) Read the entire page →
From page 88... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-51 Almost all agencies (92 percent) Read the entire page →
From page 89... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-52 Over two-thirds of responding agencies report upper and lower limits for hours worked per week for PTOs. Read the entire page →
From page 90... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-53 As with other aspects of scheduling, runcutting constraints reported in the survey are of particular interest. Read the entire page →
From page 91... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-54 The most common parameters used to define if a runcut is efficient are pay to platform ratio and the number of operators required. Read the entire page →
From page 92... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Read the entire page →
From page 93... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-56 B.7 Period Rostering Respondents were asked to provide a brief overview of how rosters are created and administered. Read the entire page →
From page 94... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-57 As noted above, part-time operators are sometimes treated differently in terms of rostering. Read the entire page →
From page 95... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-58 Treatment of days off split roughly half and half between being assigned and picked (this matches the cafeteria approach) Read the entire page →
From page 96... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Read the entire page →
From page 97... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-60 At least some scheduled runs are left for extraboard/relief to cover at about 60 percent of agencies. Read the entire page →
From page 98... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-61 Operator work assignments can include both extraboard/relief and regular run assignments at two-thirds of the sampled agencies. Read the entire page →
From page 99... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-62 Approximately half of the responding agencies allow 4-day work weeks for operators. Read the entire page →
From page 100... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-63 • A careful analysis revealed that 4/10 was not effective because it affected blocking of trips to get proper breaks and weekend work did not fit well into the runcut process • No optimum mix because full-time operators cannot work 4/10 • It is a subject of debate whether the savings from 4/10 are cancelled out by the need to maintain a larger PTO staff to fill open assignments • When 4/10 assignments approach 12 percent, the advantage is lost • 40 percent 4/10, 60 percent 5/8, and no PTOs is optimal Constraints and challenges regarding roster development included the requirement for consecutive days off (yet the majority of agencies reported this was not a labor rule constraint) Read the entire page →
From page 101... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-64 B.8 Computerized Scheduling Computerized scheduling and applications are becoming more commonplace and agencies that use computerized packages reported an improved scheduling process. Read the entire page →
From page 102... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-65 The most obvious reported benefit of scheduling software is the automation of tasks. Read the entire page →
From page 103... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-66 Trapeze and Hastus were the most frequently mentioned scheduling software packages. Read the entire page →
From page 104... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-67 Most scheduling software was procured since 1990. Read the entire page →
From page 105... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-68 Implementation is not a simple process. Read the entire page →
From page 106... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-69 Paratransit personnel 3 3 9% Payroll 1 1 3% Planning 7 9 16 50% Software Analyst 1 1 3% Station Clerks 1 1 3% Traffic checking 1 1 3% 3 14 15 32 A major constraint on using computerized scheduling packages is the cost of purchasing the software and training staff. Read the entire page →
From page 107... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-70 potential cost savings. Read the entire page →
From page 108... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-71 Large agencies especially were more likely to assess non-economic impacts of the implementation of computerized scheduling. Read the entire page →
From page 109... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-72 The benefits of computerized scheduling have altered the size of scheduling departments in only one-third of the responding agencies. Read the entire page →
From page 110... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-73 Computerized scheduling packages have changed the time it takes to produce and implement schedule at most agencies (71 percent) Read the entire page →
From page 111... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-74 One of the more interesting findings from the survey was the continued reliance on manual finetuning of the computerized scheduling solutions. Read the entire page →
From page 112... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-75 This finding strongly underlines the continued requirement for schedulers to maintain experience in manual scheduling techniques. Read the entire page →
From page 113... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-76 Scheduling software is interfaced with other data systems at most agencies. Read the entire page →
From page 114... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-77 The survey asked respondents if the expected benefits of implementing computerized scheduling software have been realized. Read the entire page →
From page 115... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Read the entire page →
From page 116... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-79 The increasing integration of scheduling software with other agency functions data systems raises the issue of whether this integration would preclude consideration of a change in scheduling package. Read the entire page →
From page 117... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-80 scheduling: Customer Service, Finance, and Business Development were all mentioned. Read the entire page →
From page 118... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-81 A typical breakdown of staff time allocation in scheduling departments, based on the normalized average of all responses, has schedule writing and blocking accounting for 31 percent of staff time, while period rostering accounts for only eight percent. Read the entire page →
From page 119... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-82 These added tasks are often related to downstream data requirements. Read the entire page →
From page 120... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-83 another 15 percent who look specifically for vehicle operators. Read the entire page →
From page 121... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Read the entire page →
From page 122... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-85 The onset of sophisticated computerized scheduling tools has increased the training burden, for now there is a need for both basic scheduling training and for application-specific training. Read the entire page →
From page 123... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-86 Despite the perceived need for additional training, over 85 percent of respondents report their scheduling staff proficiency as "excellent" or "good". Read the entire page →
From page 124... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-87 Only about one-quarter of all agencies reported innovative techniques in schedule development and training. Read the entire page →
From page 125... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-88 Agencies were asked about what scheduling issues specific to light rail they would like to have addressed. Read the entire page →
From page 126... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-89 B.11 Toward the Scheduling Manual Two questions on the survey were designed to elicit agency responses indicating key scheduling issues and needs that the new scheduling manual could address. Read the entire page →
From page 127... ... TCRP Project A-29 Appendix B: Transit Agency Survey Results Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-90 The second question asked about the agency's greatest needs that should be addressed in the scheduling manual. Read the entire page →
From page 128... ... Transit Scheduling Survey Draft - Transit Agencies TCRP Scheduling Manual - Transit System Survey RESPONDENT INFORMATION 1 Date: 2 Name and Title of Respondent: 3 Respondent Telephone Number: 4 Respondent e-mail address: 5 Is your agency willing to participate in a more detailed case study later in this project? Yes/no only TRANSIT SYSTEM INFORMATION 6 Agency Name: 7 City 8 State 9 Transit System Size Bus LRT Heavy Rail Weekday Peak Vehicles Weekday Off Peak Vehicles Saturday Peak Vehicles Sunday Peak Vehicles Total full-time operators (drivers) Read the entire page →
From page 129... ... o12 Does your agency use any innovative or alternative approaches to scheduling that may be of interest to other systems? 13 What is the relationship between fixed-route and paratransit scheduling? Read the entire page →
From page 130... ... 24 What are your agency's greatest needs re scheduling that this scheduling manual should address? SCHEDULING ORGANIZATION 25 Are your agency's schedulers represented by a union? Read the entire page →
From page 131... ... 37 Do schedulers work across all aspects of scheduling, or do they work within specific tasks (e.g. runcutting only) Read the entire page →
From page 132... ... 47 Is basic schedules training provided for anyone not directly involved in scheduling within your agency? If so, who provides this training, and what does it consist of? Read the entire page →
From page 133... ... Policy headways "X" all that applyAd hoc, depending on the route and its history Budgetary considerations Other (please describe) 55 Where average or peak loads are used, how is the load factor determined? Read the entire page →
From page 134... ... 71 Does your agency operate school-day only trips? Yes/no only 72 If yes, are schedules, blocks and runs adjusted for non school days? Read the entire page →
From page 135... ... 88 How would your agency address minimum layovers if no labor agreement restrictions were in place? 89 Does your agency provide mid-route layover time on any of your routes (e.g., to ensure timed transfers at certain locations) Read the entire page →
From page 136... ... 101 Are there any labor contract limitations/constraints on the blocking process? Yes/no only 102 If yes, please describe. Read the entire page →
From page 137... ... 115 What constitutes "overtime" for operators? Over 8 hours a day (10 hours for a four-day week) Read the entire page →
From page 138... ... 132 Please describe below how operators get to/from relief points. This could include several methods. Read the entire page →
From page 139... ... 142 Are picks rostered or is a cafeteria style system used? Please describe in greater detail below. Read the entire page →
From page 140... ... COMPUTERIZED SCHEDULING 156 Does your agency use a computerized scheduling package? Yes/no only (If no, skip to Question 193) Read the entire page →
From page 141... ... Other (please specify) 170 To what extent are the solutions produced by your computerized system utilized (i.e. Read the entire page →
From page 142... ... 184 What is the new package? 185 When was the new system purchased? Read the entire page →

From page 38...

... Dan Boyle & Associates, Inc. Page B-1 Transit Cooperative Research Program Project A-29 Controlling System Costs: Basic and Advanced Scheduling Manuals and Contemporary Issues in Transit Scheduling Appendix B Transit Agency Survey Results B.1 Introduction and Methodology The Transit Agency Survey, undertaken as a Phase I task of TCRP Project A-29, was developed as a tool for understanding the state of the practice in scheduling at transit properties of different sizes, for identifying the challenges facing transit operators as they schedule their system, and to assist in identifying agencies for detailed case study analysis in Phase II of the project.