Chapter 20: Data for Public Transit Planning, Marketing and Model Development: Synthesis of a Workshop

Public transit has a central role in the move towards sustainable transportation systems and improved quality of life, particularly in large urban areas of developed and developing countries. Changes are required in public transit infrastructure, service and travel behaviour to reach the ambitious goals of efficiently improving accessibility for all sectors of society and reducing the impact of transportation on the environment. To plan and deliver quality and affordable public transit, adequate data are needed for the following purposes:

The workshop drew from the knowledge and experience of participants representing 10 different countries who discussed the main issues regarding methods for data collection in public transit. The workshop addressed two questions: what is the state-of-the-practice in data collection for public transit planning, marketing and model development; and what are the relevant strategic needs for research in these areas?