B. Ferris, K. Watkins, and A. Borning.

Location-Aware Tools for Improving Public Transit Usability

IEEE Pervasive Computing, Vol 9, no 1, 2010


 


Abstract

Real-time arrival information, immediately available on mobile devices, can significantly enhance the usability of public transit systems. The OneBusAway system provides just such information to over 3,300 Seattle-area bus riders per day. We describe a new location-aware native iPhone application for OneBusAway that provides bus stop and arrival information, tailored to the user’s current location. We present results from survey and user-study evaluations that demonstrate quicker access to data using the location-aware tool. We also present data for OneBusAway users as a whole that show strikingly positive changes in rider satisfaction, the number of transit trips per week, reduced wait time at the bus stop, and more walking. The positive results hold for users of the location-aware version as well and the data suggests that there may even be further gains.


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