Transit Research
Transit Research Team:
- Alan Hoback, PE
Assoc. Prof. Civil & Environmental Engineering
313-993-1578 - Utpal Dutta, PE
Prof. Civil & Environmental Engineering - Scott Anderson
Instructor Mathematics
Projects:
Health Effects of Riding Transit:
People riding transit in SE Michigan walk on average 0.8 miles per round trip. They burn calories which controls body weight and the physical activity makes them more healthy. This healthiness is reflected in paybacks to the individual in an improved quality of life. Their employers get employees that have less absenteeism. Employers pay less for health insurance. State and Federal social programs pay less than they otherwise would have for unhealthy residents.
Employer bus pass initiative: Employers gain by giving bus passes to employees. Below are links to various on-line calculators that can help an employer estimate their payback from giving bus passes.
Additional assistance provided by Pamela Nelson, Assist. Prof. Nursing (retired); and Judith Mouch, Asst. Prof. of Nursing.
- On-line Calculator
- Sample Calculations (sample calculations.pdf)
For the Human Resources staff: See Advice for Implementation. (HR implementation.pdf)
Reference: True Walking Distance to Transit, Hoback, A., Anderson, S., Dutta, U., Journal of Transporation Planning and Technology. Vol. 31, No. 6, 2008, pp 681-692.
Reference: Preliminary overview printed in "Worried About Your Health? Take the Bus", Hoback, A.S., Technology Century, Oct.-Nov. 07, Vol. 25, No. 5. pp 2-4.
Contact Dr. Hoback for the complete Research Report, and any research publications.
Economic Impact of Transit Investment:
Transit spending increases income in a region because it provides transportation alternatives to poorer workers, it promotes development, and white collar workers do not waste time a in car but can get work done on the transit. Without transportation, many people are unable to find good paying employment because they are stuck in their own neighborhood. They become reliant on social services to provide them with income and services. Preliminary results show that for every dollar that is spent on transit, income in a region goes up by $8 to $9.
Reference: TBD.
Analysis: How do governments get payback from investment in transit?
Hovercraft Feasibility on the Detroit River
Through collaboration with the MIOH-UTC at UDM, and a private company, Hoverstar LTD, the feasibility of operating hovercraft on the Detroit River is being investigated. First, operation during all weather conditions such as fog, ice and wind are being check how well service can be maintained all year round. Next, a plan for operation as public transit along the Detroit River will be investigated. The Hovercraft will be like cool buses that speedily take commuters downtown. Hovercraft are actually a very low flying aircraft.
Contact Dr. Hoback for the complete Research Report, and any research publications.
Light Rail Cost Estimator
Costs for 23 lightrail transit lines and extensions were analyzed with a sensitivity analysis to find unit costs for types of right-of-way (R.O.W.) construction. Data about light rail systems was rigorously checked from multiple sources. A sensitivity analysis was used to limit the error and arrive at the final unit costs for each ROW type. A tool for estimating costs in feasibility studies was produced. The tool was accurate to within 10% for the projects studied.
Reference: "Sensitivity Analysis of Light Rail Transit Unit Capital Costs," Hoback, A., Proceedings of the Transportation Research Board, National Academy of Sciences, Paper 08-0024, 2008.
Detroit People Mover
Utpal Dutta has several publications related to the Detroit People Mover:
- Detroit Downtown People Mover Ridership Update Study - sponsored by the Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority. This study involved predicting future DPM ridership.1985-1986.
- Overview of Detroit Downtown People Mover Maintenance Data - Urban Transportation Development Corporation, Detroit, Michigan. This study involved review and analysis DPM maintenance data. (1991-92)
- "Prediction and Reality of Ridership for DPM In Detroit," Automated People Mover's Second International Conference, Proceedings March 13-15, 1989
- "Detroit Downtown People Mover Maintenance Data: An Overview" Transportation Research Record, #1308 . 1991.
- “ Simplified Techniques to Update Modal Share With Time”, Proceedings Canadian Society for Civil Engineers, Annual Conference, June, 1993.
- "Ten Years of Detroit People Movers", Proceedings ASCE Sixth International Conference on People Movers, Las Vegas, April 1997.
- “Detroit People Mover: Past, Present and Uncertain Future: Lessons Learned”, Conference Proceeding APM, Orlando, 2004
Transportation Energy Efficiency
Rail transit uses the least energy per passenger mile followed by bus, and automobiles when trip purpose is accounted for. This also includes actual energy used as well as embodied energy. Embodied energy is the energy it takes to make the vehicles and roads. Advances in technology from hybridization will benefit transit and automobiles equally. Effecient transportation modes include carpooling and using transit.
- Reference: Revisted: Is Transit Part of the Equation? Hoback, A., Proceedings of the Transportation Research Board 88th Annual Meeting, National Academy of Sciences, Paper 09-0272, 2009.
Transit Consulting
Utpal Dutta is a Panel Member of the Transit Cooperative Research program: Synthesis 54, Transportation Research Board; and a Member, Transit Maintenance Committee, Transportation Research Board (AC302).
Detroit Regional Mass Transit
Leo Hanifin, Scott Anderson, Alan Hoback and Utpal Dutta were co-authors with others at UDM and elsewhere on a feasibility study for Light Rail Transit on Woodward Avenue in Detroit. See the main article.
Questions?
Feel free to contact the researchers.
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