OneBusAway: Results from Providing Real-Time Arrival Information for Public Transit
Proceedings of CHI 2010
Abstract
Public transit systems play an important role in combating traffic congestion, reducing carbon emissions, and promot- ing compact, sustainable urban communities. The usability of public transit can be significantly enhanced by providing good traveler information systems. We describe OneBus- Away, a set of transit tools focused on providing real-time ar- rival information for Seattle-area bus riders. We then present results from a survey of OneBusAway users that show a set of important positive outcomes: strongly increased overall satisfaction with public transit, decreased waiting time, in- creased transit trips per week, increased feelings of safety, and even a health benefit in terms of increased distance walked when using transit. Finally, we discuss the design and policy implications of these results and plans for future research in this area.