Traveler performance and information availability: an experiment in route choice

The ability of transit patrons to fully use a transit system depends on their ability to understand traveler information. Past studies indicate that travelers are often incapable of answering basic questions, such as “What are the names and numbers of the bus routes that pass nearest your home?” using available guides.

An experiment was conducted to see how travelers’ ability to understand transit information affects their performance in choosing travel routes. New students at a major university weré observed as they traveled by foot or bus from the campus to a small library 1½ miles away. Those subjects supplied with maps reached the destination significantly faster than those given no transit information. However, subjects supplied with both schedules and maps were actually slower than those using maps alone. Results indicate that travelers are unable to adjust their routes in response to a bus schedule. Subjects also made mistakes reading maps that cost them travel time or walking effort. These results suggest that travelers need improved information, and that such improvements would produce tangible benefits (e.g. reduced travel time).

Notes

Research was supported by the National Science Foundation.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Randolph W. Hall

Research was supported by the National Science Foundation.