Analysis of local bus markets : volume II \u2013 rider characteristics : final report.

PDFTech ReportFHWA-NJ-2017-013-2RidershipTransit ridersBus transitTravel surveysOrigin and destinationTransportation disadvantaged personsLocal BusRider SurveyTraffic ImpactEnvironmental ImpactRider CharacteristicsNew JerseyUnited StatesNew Jersey. Dept. of TransportationDeka, DevajyotiRutgers University. Center for Advanced Infrastructure & TransportationNew Jersey. Dept. of TransportationUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationUS Transportation CollectionDespite having an extensive network of public transit, traffic congestion and transportation-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are significant concerns in New Jersey. This research hypothesizes that traffic congestion and air quality concerns in the state would be much greater in the absence of public transit. With this hypothesis, the study examines the congestion and GHG impacts of transit by exclusively focusing on local buses in selected parts of the state. While the primary objective of this research is to estimate the congestion and GHG impacts of local buses, its secondary objective is to examine the rider and travel characteristics of bus riders. To fulfill these objectives, a survey of bus riders was necessary. A list of 50 bus routes in four County Groups was prepared for the survey. Rider surveys were conducted on 23 of these routes as a part of this research. This research document pertains to the analysis of survey data from those 23 routes. The survey revealed that a large proportion of riders would drive their own cars, carpool with others, or use app-based services or taxis to travel to their destinations in the absence of buses. Such diversions to the automobile would generate a significant amount of vehicle miles traveled, which in turn would generate a significant amount of GHG. The traffic simulation model also indicated that diversion of riders from buses to automobile would increase traffic delay by a discernible level. Based on these results, the study concludes that local buses can potentially help to reduce congestion and GHG emissions. The analysis of rider and trip characteristics showed that the surveyed buses mostly serve riders from households without cars who have limited options to travel. Survey data analysis also showed that the buses serve a large number of low-income and minority populations, most of whom use buses to travel to work and school. Based on the results, a few recommendations have been made