Dr Paul Brindley
Real Time Information Plus (RTI+)
I developed a system, coded in Python and linked to ArcGIS, that was able to import, clean, analyse and map previously stored real time bus information. The system design is shown below and linked with South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive's internal data sources (such as their SIS data). Data were held in a central SQL database ready for the user to analyse. Sample output from the system are also shown below - both in map and chart form.
This project made greater use of real time data, collected as buses travel along their routes. The time and location data collected allows bus journey times and speeds to be recorded. This data is most commonly seen in live departure information boards at interchanges, bus stops and online but has the potential to be put to greater use.
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In collaboration with South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) we developed a system that imported real time performance data and automatically analysed and mapped the data. Monitoring network performance in this way was able to highlight areas for improvement, for example roads that would benefit from new bus lanes to ease congested routes.
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The design of the RTI Plus system
Example chart output - showing variability in runtime between two stops
Example mapped output - showing variability in speed
The SYPTE Executive Director, Stephen Edwards, stated:
“The cutting-edge technology of RTI+ is transforming the way we are able to monitor and analyse public transport pinch points and traffic flow trends across South Yorkshire. For the first time, we can achieve a strategic understanding of the network and together with our bus operator and local authority partners, identify and inform potential highway investments and bus timetable adjustments that will improve reliability and journey times for our passengers. The bespoke software is also benefitting SYPTE business needs by reducing resource required to achieve analytics of this type, and in turn improving SYPTE spend and organisational efficiency.”