This is a report on some work my colleagues and I have done evaluating accessibility on the soon-to-open Metro Transit A-Line BRT running from Rosedale to the Blue Line in Minneapolis. The line improves speeds on the local bus line through various improvements, most notably all-door boarding. Most notably, it increases frequency and reduces the number of stops.
The results of the research are not surprising. Accessibility increases at the retained stops (more buses per hour, so less wait time), and decreases at the stops not served by the A-Line (which continue to get some local bus service, but at reduced frequency). This nets out as a positive increase in accessibility for the region as a whole at the 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 minute thresholds. (It should be noted, that the 10 minute accessibility actually drops a fraction of a percent, as the reduction in service at some bus stops means that walk distances are greater for some people. There is a coverage/frequency tradeoff. However, because this is a well-designed net increase in service, there is a net increase in accessibility).
Change in number of jobs accessible within 30 minutes by transit available with Metro Transit A-Line
Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11299/180900
Suggested Citation
Palmateer, Chelsey; Owen, Andrew; Levinson, David M. (2016). Accessibility Evaluation of the Metro Transit A-Line.Accessibility Observatory, University of Minnesota. Retrieved from the University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy, http://hdl.handle.net/11299/180900.