Services

TransitGuru Limited, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, provides several transit planning services ranging from map and schedule development to system design of entire metro systems.

Network Analysis

• Mapping and Diagramming
• Necessary for accurate analysis of the transit network
• Compare service supply to ridership demand
• Identify potential "latent" demand
• Performance Data
• Ridership (recommended to be specific per-trip and per-stop data)
• Revenue vehicle hours as compared to total vehicle hours for each route
• Average speed of each route
• Directness of each route and/or along major portions of corridors
• Service Supply Analysis
• Frequency and span of service for each route and neighborhood
• Identify areas where routes overlap and determine if the overlap is necessary
• Identify areas of intended or unintended "trip bunching"
• Suggested Action Plans
• Utilize mapping techniques to for accurate and relevant proposals
• Estimate ridership impact on each route, community, and system-wide
• Estimate first-time and operational cost impact
• Compare and contrast "no-build" and proposed networks

Network Design

• Mind the Vehicle Hours while Being Generous with Service
• Balance the following for the best design
• ridership
• service coverage
• costs
• work rules
• topography
• distribution of operating bases
• Mapping the Network Is Important
• Reveal un- or under-served markets
• Identify areas where excessive, or unnecessary overlap occurs
• Determine the best opportunities for high-frequency service
• Identify strategic transfer nodes
• Consider connecting services not provided by the transit authority

Service Planning

• Utilize Multiple Tools
• Make the tool fit the job, not vice versa
• Adaptable to using or accommodating the tool(s) of the client's choice
• Develop tools when necessary if traditional tools do not provide desired results
• License usage of TransitGuru Limited developed tools
• Detail Oriented
• Ensure all tranfer nodes have acceptable transfer times
• Analyze all headways and ensure clock-face headways
• Provide consistent timings across different days of service
• Consider and accommodate work-shift changes of major employers

Timetable and Map Design

• Media Formatting Is Important
• Serve broad audience with different or univeral format
• Consider accessibility and ease-of-use
• Accommodate first-time transit users
• Create web-enabled or interactive versions to reach online audience
• Consistent Styling
• Each color, linetype, and font has a purpose
• Map and timetable must be intuitive, even to "novice" riders
• Improve the audience's understanding of the transit system as a network

System/Regional map and Guide Creation

• Show regional transit connections
• Interstate carriers also included in map/guide
• Clear, consise format following the Timetable and Map Design Standards
• Goal is to increase the understanding of regional transit, utimately generating ridership

Advocacy

• Demonstrate that transit is one piece of a multi-modal transportation package
• Research existing transit funding structures
• Propose alternative funding structures as an improvement over existing funding
• Analyze proposed improvements on transit funding structures

Project Management (PM) and Process

• Follow the PM process as specified by Franklin Covey's Project Management
• Visualize
• Interview Stakeholders (Funding sources, Elected officials, Riders, Non-Riders, and Business Leaders
• Rank desired results based on priority
• Determine purpose for transit service for region (based on stakeholder interviews and desired results)
• Plan
• Determine budget and time constraints
• Design a roll-out and phasing plan for implementation of service changes
• Consider risks or "hot spots" that may slow implementation
• Implement
• Communication with stakeholders throughout implementation process
• Clear and concise internal communications
• Communication plan with contractors
• Regularly revisit vision and plan to ensure that the implemenation is on-track
• Close
• Determine if success metrics were met
• Discuss what worked well and what can be improved