Providing Real-time Information for Transit Riders: In Search of an Equitable Technology

Transcription

1 Providing Real-time Information for Transit Riders: In Search of an Equitable Technology Aditi Misra, Sarah Windmiller, Dr. Kari E. Watkins, Dr. Patricia L. Mokhtarian UTC March 24, 2014

2 Outline Introduction / Background National and American Transit Agency Trend St. Louis Metro Rider s Mobile and Technology Utilization Trend Analysis & Alternative Technology Access Summary/Suggestions

3 Background Increase in Transit Real-Time Information The availability of the technologies providing this information is unknown Communication Preferences & Technology Utilization Agencies need to utilize the positive effects of realtime information Customers will ride the system more Lower perceived wait time Overall higher satisfaction with service Background National Trends Technology Utilization Trend Analysis Implications

4 Real-Time Information Technologies Smartphone Application Interactive Voice Response (IVR) Text Messaging (SMS) Mobile-Based Website Computer-Based Website Signage Next Train Arrival Time at Station Washington, DC Background National Trends Technology Utilization Trend Analysis Implications

5 National and American Tr ansit Agency Trends

6 Cell Phone Ownership In 2013, 91% of Americans own a Cell Phone Steady increase since 2004 Source: Pew Internet

7 Smartphone Ownership the majority of Americans own a smartphone Smartphone ownership is higher among Transit Riders Source: Pew Internet

8 Alternative Technology - United States Alternative Real-Time Information Technologies Availability among Americans 90% 80% 70% 80% 77% 60% 56% Yes 50% 44% No 40% 30% 20% 20% 23% 10% 0% Internet Access on Mobile Device Text Messaging on Mobile Device Internet Access in General Technology Type Background Methodology National Trends Technology Utilization Implications

9 St. Louis Metro Rider s Mobile and Technology Utilization

10 St. Louis Methodology Saint Louis Metro Transit On-Board Survey Summer Statistical Analysis: Overall Availability Cross Tabulations Chi-Square Test Binomial Logistic Regression Background National Trend Technology Utilization Trend Analysis Implications

11 St. Louis Survey Questions Background National Trend Technology Utilization Trend Analysis Implications

12 Mobile Technology Trend Background National Trend Technology Utilization Trend Analysis Implications

13 Mobile Technology Availability

14 Mobile Technology Availability

15 Mobile Technology Availability

16 Mobile Technology Availability

17 Mobile Technology Availability Inverse relationship between age and smartphone ownership Retired, unemployed, and homemakers most likely to not have smartphones Slight relationship between income and smartphone ownership White / Caucasians have lowest percentage of smartphone ownership No notable difference between males and females Background National Trend Technology Utilization Trend Analysis Implications

18 Chi-Squared Test Background National Trend Technology Utilization Trend Analysis Implications

19 Logistic Regression Bus 2013 Bus 2012 Background National Trend Technology Utilization Trend Analysis Implications

20 Mobile Technology Availability Age is a major contributor to smartphone application availability Riders who are not Black / African Americans need an alternative technology for real-time information Confirmation riders employed and/or students more likely to have smartphone applications No clear trend regarding income Gender has no influence Background National Trend Technology Utilization Trend Analysis Implications

21 Trend Analysis & Alternative Technology Access

22 Trend Analysis Technology Adoption Pattern (Nelson and Phelp 1966, Blackman 1978) Adoption Pattern, St. Louis Metro, Background National Trends Technology Utilization Trend Analysis Implications

23 Trend Analysis National Transit Ridership Trend, National PopulationTrend, Technology Adoption Trend, St. Louis,

24 Trend Analysis Predicted number of riders with smartphone access in a particular year = number of riders in base year percent increase in transit ridership for an age group population growth rate in that age group numberof years technology penetration rate in that age group for that year Assuming St. Louis Metro has 100 riders in 2013, In 2018: Ridership Population Age Group Change Rate Change Rate T otal Riders T echnology Penetration Rate Number of Riders with Access <= > Background National Trends Technology Utilization Trend Analysis Implications

25 Implications For age group <44 years, smartphone based applications may have a sufficient coverage For age group >=44 years, smartphone based applications do not have a good coverage and:. Clubbing all age groups blankets the 65+ age group Technology has a saturation it will never capture all riders Therefore, there has to be an additional technology platform beside smartphone based application Background Methodology National Trends Technology Utilization Implications

26 Alternative Technology Access Background Methodology National Trends Technology Utilization Implications

27 Alternative Technology Access 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Overlap of Technology Availability among Riders Without Smartphone Applications MetroBus, % 67% 20% 15% 12% 44% 49% 15% IVR Mobile Website SMS Computer None (Signage) Alternative Technology Have Access to this AND another Technology ONLY have Access to this Technology

28 Summary / Suggestions

29 Summary Strong trend toward internet-based applications over traditional methods of communication Trip planning behavior shifting toward convenience, accessibility, immediacy of electronic information Dramatic increase in bi-modal cell phone use and access to the internet Increasing smartphone adoption Growing potential for service improvements such as mobile tech apps (RTI) and revenue enhancements (smartphone integrated fare collection). Background Methodology National Trends Technology Utilization Implications

30 Suggestion What is the Best Alternative Technology? Based on goals and resources of agency Subjective answer technology preferences differs between users Our recommendations: In addition to smartphone apps, Interactive Voice Response (IVR) Computer-Based Website

31 Questions?

32 Alternative Technology Availability Internet Access on Mobile Device 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 76% 24% 72% 28% 56% 44% LAC MTA St. Louis Metro United States Agency Yes No Background National Trends Technology Utilization Trend Analysis Implications

33 Alternative Technology Availability Text Messaging on Mobile Device 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 88% 80% 70% 30% 12% 20% CTA St. Louis Metro United States Agency Yes No Background Methodology National Trends Technology Utilization Implications

34 Alternative Technology Availability Internet Access on Computer 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 93% 7% 81% 19% 77% 23% CTA St. Louis Metro United States Agency Yes No Background National Trends Technology Utilization Trend Analysis Implications

35 Mobile Technology Trend Cell Phone Ownership 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 81% 68% 70% 84% 92% 95% 91% 94% Year Bus Rail Background National Trend Technology Utilization Trend Analysis Implications

36 Mobile Technology Trend Smartphone Ownership 80% 70% 60% 50% 70% 73% 40% 30% Bus 20% 10% 0% Year Background National Trend Technology Utilization Trend Analysis Implications

37 Mobile Technology Trend Cell Phone Owners with Internet on Device 80% 70% 71% 72% 77% 78% 60% 50% 40% 30% Bus Rail 20% 10% 0% Year Background National Trend Technology Utilization Trend Analysis Implications

38 Mobile Technology Trend Cell Phone Owners with Text Messaging on Device 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 64% 49% 88% 88% 90% Year 92% Bus Rail Background National Trend Technology Utilization Trend Analysis Implications

39 Mobile Technology Trend Riders with Computer Internet Access 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 69% 84% 61% 77% 85% 86% 81% 76% 50% 40% Bus Rail 30% 20% 10% 0% Year Background National Trend Technology Utilization Trend Analysis Implications