Putting Google Transit to work for Northeastern California. A feasibility study and pilot project for Google Transit in rural and micropolitan areas. How all transit agencies benefit from Google Transit. Presenters: Kimberly Gayle, Caltrans DMT; Sue Crowe, Shasta County RTPA; Linda Rhine, Nelson\Nygaard; Aaron Antrim, Trillium Solutions

1. Point A to B
Putting Google Transit to work for
Northeastern California
A project to study feasibility
and map to the path to implementation
CalACT spring conference | March 17, 2009
Kimberly Gayle Sue Crowe Linda Rhine Aaron Antrim
Caltrans DMT Shasta County RTPA NelsonNygaard Trillium Solutions
Trillium
TRANSIT INTERNET SOLUTIONS
Friday, March 20, 2009

2. • The 2008 Intercity Bus Study
Background
recommended enhanced
Project objectives
dissemination for transit
Agency roles information through inline
information systems
CALIFORNIA STATEWIDE
RURAL INTERCITY BUS STUDY
Final Report: March, 2008
Prepared for:
The State of California
Department of Transportation
Division of Mass Transportation
Prepared by: KFH Group, Inc.,
In association with
Judith Norman Transportation Consultant
Landsman Transportation Planning, LLC
Friday, March 20, 2009

3. Background
• The study area for this Google
Project objectives
Transit Feasibility project
Agency roles
includes the seven counties
within Caltrans District 2
(Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta,
Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity)
plus Inyo and Mono counties
Friday, March 20, 2009

4. Background
• Test the feasibility of using
Project
Google Transit mapping and
objectives trip planning in nine northern
Agency roles California rural counties
• Determine if it is viable and
sustainable on long-term basis
Friday, March 20, 2009

5. Background
• Caltrans is providing 100%
Project objectives
funding for this project
Agency roles
• Shasta County RTPA is the
lead on the project with Caltrans
in a supporting role
• Modoc Sage Stage is “live’ on
Google Transit and MCTC is
providing technical support
Friday, March 20, 2009

6. Starting the • Can we commit staff to the project?
project
• What IS Google Transit and the
Structure
Google Transit Feed Specification
Staffing & (GTFS)?
Participation
• The Request for Proposal (RFP)
Early successes
process
!
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
FEASIBILITY STUDY
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA INTERNET TRANSIT TRIP PLANNING SERVICE
ISSUED OCTOBER 29, 2008
PROPOSALS ARE DUE BY 5:00 PM ON NOVEMBER 21, 2008
!
!
!
quot;#$$!%&'()*!+,*)),!
-)../012!34!!5677quot;!
8$97:!;;$<$6$=!
Friday, March 20, 2009

7. • Is a nine-county integrated trip
Starting the project
planning network possible?
Structure
• Feasibility Study
Staffing &
Participation
• Implementation Plan
Early successes
Friday, March 20, 2009

8. Starting the project • County and agency participation
Structure
• Least impact on staff and resources
Staffing &
• How and where do we kick this off?
Participation
•
Early successes MPO role once project started
Friday, March 20, 2009

9. • Enthusiasm about the project
Starting the project
• Willing to participate
Structure
• Support from Caltrans
Staffing &
Participation
• Teamwork
Early successes
• Choice of consultant
Friday, March 20, 2009

10. The project in context
Current and anticipated Google Transit participation
in California, shown with project study area
projects in progress
+90% participation of services
(anticipated +90% participation)
projects in progress
limited participation
(anticipated limited participation)
NorCal project area no participation / unknown
(we may not have included every Google Transit
project in this informal inventory)
Friday, March 20, 2009

11. • Conduct stakeholder interviews
Study process
Resources Survey • Conduct ongoing and regular
communication with all parties
Pilot agency
selection
• Resources Survey
Pilot project
• Collect data to create Google
evaluation
Transit Feed
Expected final
• Select agencies for pilot project
outcome
• Submit data and coordinate with
Google
• Test and evaluate pilot
• Evaluate and document results
Friday, March 20, 2009

12. A few questions we asked
Study process
agencies:
Resources
Survey • Existing software tools & systems?
Pilot agency • Who maintains and publishes
selection schedules offline and/or online?
Pilot project • How many staff hours for trip
evaluation planning help?
•
Expected final How many schedule updates/year?
outcome
• What is your level of interest and
what are your major concerns &
priorities?
Friday, March 20, 2009

13. Criteria for pilot selection
Study process
• Level of interest and staff support
Resources Survey
• No major service changes in next six
Pilot agency
months
selection
• Availability of bus stop data for Google
Pilot project
Transit Feed
evaluation
• Connectivity of services
Expected final
• Selected transit agencies:
outcome
• RABA (Shasta County)
• Plumas Transit
• Tehama Area Rural Express
• STAGE (Siskiyou County)
• Trinity Transit
Friday, March 20, 2009

14. Study process
• Who are the actual users of Google
Resources Survey Transit?
•
Pilot agency Does Google Transit work well in
selection rural areas?
• What is the feedback from users and
Pilot project /
participating agencies?
evaluation
• Does the Google Transit provide the
Expected final
right level of detail?
outcome
• What are the benefits to agencies?
Users?
Friday, March 20, 2009

15. Study process • Pilot project experience
Resources Survey • Detailed implementation plan
Pilot agency • Challenges and solutions for longer term
selection sustainability
•
Pilot project / What are the tools to maintain Google
evaluation Transit feed data?
•
Expected final Are there opportunities for leverage
Google Transit feed for other purposes?
outcome
• What are the ongoing maintenance costs?
• Staff time / commitments
• Financial requirements
Friday, March 20, 2009

16. Google
Transit
• What is it?
• Why?
• How to
participate?
• Making the
most of Google
Transit
Trillium
TRANSIT INTERNET SOLUTIONS
Friday, March 20, 2009

17. Friday, March 20, 2009

18. • Conventional transit schedules and
What is it?
maps are unfamiliar/hard-to-use
Why Google
• Google Transit is a familiar format
Transit?
for public transportation
Participating
information
Making the most
• Most Americans on the web
of Google Transit
• Shows transit as an alternative to
driving
• Interface in 12 different languages
• Available on mobile devices like
iPhones and Blackberries
Trillium
TRANSIT INTERNET SOLUTIONS
Friday, March 20, 2009

19. Why Google
Transit?
Conventional
transit schedules B at 11th :23
33
TRANSIT CENTER
14th at B :24
29
HSU (Library) :26
37
925 E Street
14th at B :28
18
and maps are
14th at Union :29
20
Between 10th & 9th
Union at 11th :30
21
Community Center :31
21 A
(10:30 to 2:30 or on request)
Transfer to HTA
Colony Inn :33
22
harder-to-use than
Sunnybrae Prof. Bldg. :34
23
Sunnybrae Centre :35
24
Bus stops on demand at intersections.
Sunnybrae Loop :37
DOWNTOWN Sunnybrae Loop :37
we may realize
Sunnybrae Centre :41
CLOSED ON MAJOR HOLIDAYS:
24
Crescent Way :42
25
NEW 26 Equinox School
YEARS DAY • MEMORIAL DAY:44
Union at 11th :45
27
MARTIN LUTHER Union DAY • 4TH:46
14th at KING OF
28
JULY • LABOR DAY :50
14th at B :47
29
HSU (Library)
37
THANKSGIVING at 14th & DAY AFTER
LK Wood DAY :51
30
14th West of G :52
CHRISTMAS DAY & DAY AFTER
example:
N O R T H B O U N D
at least three steps GENERAL REFERENCE:! quot; 45#6 $ !758% !! !quot; # % !# TRANSPORTATION: &# &$ 'quot;&' quot;! quot;quot; quot;#
!$ !% &! &quot; &%
!quot;#$ %quot;&'
'()*+*,-,'.-)/'0'1*,23
two agencies & info
!quot;#! %quot;&( 'quot;&(
'92:;<-=2+'.>?>3 45#& !758#
Arcata: A&MRTS ...................................... 822-3775
!quot;#) %quot;&# 'quot;&#
'@AA+:;A+2'B2-C<3 45#7 !758quot;
(quot;&$ %quot;%' 'quot;%'
'DE-F'B2-C<'G++3 4586 !75quot;%
Chamber of Commerce ........... 822-3619 Eureka Transit ............................. 443-0826
(quot;&& %quot;%% 'quot;%%
'H)-+I2'1A-,3 4588 !75quot;$
sources $58$ 458! %5&$ !75quot;8 !!5&7 )(quot;%) )quot;%$ (quot;&( !quot;() %quot;%) &quot;($ 'quot;%) $quot;($
'J*)KA);'(2)F*+-E3
'D2+;)-E'0'@L))-M ................................... 822-5951
City Hall Redwood !quot;)$ %quot;!$ (H.T.A.)'quot;!$ $quot;(! 443-0826
)quot;%! (quot;%* Transit &quot;(! ............
$58quot; 45quot;$ %5&quot; !75quot;7 !!5!6 )(quot;!$
$58! 45quot;# %5&! !75&4 !!5!8 )(quot;!& )quot;%) (quot;%' !quot;)& %quot;!& &quot;() 'quot;!& $quot;()
'@CN*+E2M=*EE2'O*I<'PC<AAE3
Fire Dept. ................................. 822-2000 Greyhound ................................... 825-8934
45quot;quot; %5!% !75&6 !!5!& )(quot;!! )quot;!+ (quot;%% !quot;)! %quot;!! &quot;)+ 'quot;!! $quot;)+
'1-*E)A-,'J=2+L2
Library ...................................... 822-5954 ....................................... (800) 231-2222
45quot;7 %5!6 !75&quot; !!57% )(quot;!# )quot;!' (quot;%) !quot;)# %quot;!# &quot;)' 'quot;!# $quot;)' )#quot;%'
'@CN*+E2M=*EE2'P<AK:3
45&4 %5!8 !75&! !!57$ )(quot;(* )quot;!% (quot;!+ !quot;#* %quot;(* &quot;)% 'quot;(* $quot;)% )#quot;%%
'PC<AAE'1A-,3
Police ....................................... 822-2428 Arcata Dial-A-Ride Info ............... 822-3775
45&6 %5!& !75!% !!57# )(quot;(' )quot;!( (quot;!$ !quot;#' %quot;(' &quot;)! 'quot;(' $quot;)( )#quot;%(
'B2EE-'Q*:;-'J=2+L2
)(quot;(( (quot;!! %quot;(( 'quot;(( )#quot;!*
'Q-EE2M'R-:;3 45&& !75!#
Highway Patrol ............................ 822-5981 )(quot;%+ Dial-A-Ride pickup ...................... 442-4555 ,
)(quot;)+ (quot;!# %quot;)+ %quot;%* 'quot;)+ )#quot;!+
'Q-EE2M'92:;3 45!% !75!&
!7576 !75#4 )(quot;)! )(quot;%( )quot;(& (quot;(% (quot;&+ %quot;)! %quot;%( &quot;#& 'quot;)! $quot;#& *quot;(& )#quot;!!
'OLFSAE,;'P;-;2'T*S)-)M3 $576 $5quot;quot; 45!quot; %57# 826-3011
H.S.U. Information ....................... !7578 !75#6 )(quot;)) )(quot;%# City Cab ....................................... 442-4551
-
)quot;(! (quot;(( (quot;&$ %quot;)) %quot;%# &quot;#! 'quot;)) $quot;#! *quot;(! )#quot;!)
'!8;<'0'B'P;)22;:'U'J)C-;- $578 $5quot;! 45!! %57quot;
$57! $5&4 4574 %577 !757! !75#quot; )(quot;#* )(quot;!$ Express Taxi ................................ 442-0900
)quot;(# (quot;)+ (quot;&% %quot;#* %quot;!$ &quot;## 'quot;#* $quot;## *quot;(# )#quot;(*
'J)C-;-'()-+:*;'D2+;2)3
Arcata Ambulance ....................... 822-4166 !quot;&$ &quot;&$ *quot;#+
'@-+*E-'DAFFL+*;M'D2+;2) $5#$ !!5#$
.
Mad River Comm. Hosp. ............. 822-3621 Airport Shuttle ............................. 442-9266
!quot;&# &quot;&# *quot;#(
'quot;),'0'1'P;)22;:'V'RL)2/-3 $5#7 !!5#7
458% %5#7 !758& )(quot;(' )quot;#+ (quot;#* (quot;%! %quot;(' %quot;%+ 'quot;%+ )#quot;)$
'#;<'0'W'P;)22;:3 65#7 $5!$
/
Emergency Calls ................................. 911 )(quot;(% AMTRACK ........................ (800) *quot;## )#quot;)&
)quot;#$ (quot;#' (quot;%) !quot;%* %quot;(% %quot;%$ &quot;%* 'quot;%$ USA-RAIL
'#;<'0'?'P;)22;:3 6584 $5!# $584 458$ %584 !7587 !!584
Frequently called No.!s
Trillium
TRANSIT INTERNET SOLUTIONS
Friday, March 20, 2009

20. Why Google
Result of Florida study
Transit?
Conventional
Almost half of
transit schedules
participants were
and maps are
harder-to-use than
unable to correctly identify
we may realize
bus times using the tabular
example:
schedules.
at least three steps
two agencies & info
sources
Design Elements of Effective Transit Information
Materials,
National Center for Transit Research at the University of South Florida
(http://www.nctr.usf.edu/pdf/527-12.pdf)
Trillium
TRANSIT INTERNET SOLUTIONS
Friday, March 20, 2009

21. Why Google
The third most common
Transit?
internet activity for
Google Transit
Americans is to “search
provides is a
for a map or driving
familiar format for
public directions,” (87%)
transportation
behind only email and
information
using search engines.
Source: Pew Internet & American Life Project,
(http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Internet_and_Daily_Life.pdf)
Trillium
TRANSIT INTERNET SOLUTIONS
Friday, March 20, 2009

22. Most Americans are
Why Google
Transit?
on the web
Most Americans
use the internet
• 73% of all Americans are
internet users
• 63% of of people in rural areas
• 53% of < $30k/year income
households
• 71% of 50-64 year olds
• 88% of 18-29 year olds
Source: Pew Internet & American Life Project,
(http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Internet_and_Daily_Life.pdf)
Trillium
TRANSIT INTERNET SOLUTIONS
Friday, March 20, 2009

23. Why Google
Transit?
Shows transit as
an alternative to
driving
Travelers who will
otherwise never
think of transit or
visit your website
will see the transit
option
Trillium
TRANSIT INTERNET SOLUTIONS
Friday, March 20, 2009

24. Why Google
Transit?
Interface in 12
different languages
Trillium
TRANSIT INTERNET SOLUTIONS
Friday, March 20, 2009

25. Why Google
Transit?
Available on
mobile devices like
iPhones and
Blackberries
Twitter status
messages:
• “I’m thinking of catching my
1st ever bus since iPhone 2.2
got released! It even tells you
the bus timetable!”
@timjennion
• Took a bus for the first time
in over a year.The new public
transport option in maps on
the iPhone is brilliant!”
@helloBos
Trillium
TRANSIT INTERNET SOLUTIONS
Friday, March 20, 2009

26. What is it?
Agency experiences
Why Google
Transit? Duluth Transit Authority
12% ridership increase w/ Google Transit
Participating as part of marketing package
Redwood Transit System
Making the most
Google Transit + high gas prices +
of Google Transit
university bus pass = 30% year-over-year
ridership increase
General Manager says “passengers love
it.”
Hampton Roads Transit
“Google effect” – Google’s image has
helped to improve public perception
Trillium
TRANSIT INTERNET SOLUTIONS
Friday, March 20, 2009

27. What is it? Google welcomes participation from
any fixed-route agency.
Why Google
Transit? PRICE:
Participation is free.
Participating
Making the most
of Google Transit However, agencies need to provide
valid schedule data in the Google
Transit Feed Specification (GTFS).
Agencies must agree to the
Google Transit Agreement
Trillium
TRANSIT INTERNET SOLUTIONS
Friday, March 20, 2009

28. Participating
Trillium’s
WebSchedule is
one available tool
to publish and
maintain Google
Transit Feed
information
Trillium
TRANSIT INTERNET SOLUTIONS
Friday, March 20, 2009

29. Making the
most of
Google
Transit
Agency website
can include trip
planner form
Trillium
TRANSIT INTERNET SOLUTIONS
Friday, March 20, 2009

30. Making the
most of
Google
Transit
Choose an easy-
to-remember
web-address to
include on
vehicles,
schedules, signs,
press releases,
and outgoing off-
hours voicemail
greeting ci.yourcity.ca.us/depts/transit/index.aspx?page=main
is not easy-to-remember!
Trillium
TRANSIT INTERNET SOLUTIONS
Friday, March 20, 2009

31. Making the
most of
Google
Transit
Use Google
Transit as a tool
to make transit a
more readily
available option
when someone is
planning a trip
Example:
CalACT conference
webpage
Trillium
TRANSIT INTERNET SOLUTIONS
Friday, March 20, 2009

32. Making the
most of
Google
Transit
Use Google
Transit as a tool
to make transit a
more readily
available option
when someone is
planning a trip
Example:
CalACT conference
webpage
Trillium
TRANSIT INTERNET SOLUTIONS
Friday, March 20, 2009

33. Friday, March 20, 2009

34. Transit instructions
on the Northcoast
Journal event
calendar:
to reach new audiences and
improve off-peak ridership.
Friday, March 20, 2009

35. Friday, March 20, 2009

36. GTFS: Google Transit
Making the
most of
Feed Specification
Google
Transit
• A lightweight standard format for
transit schedule, fare, stop location, and
Leverage your
service calendar data
investment:
Take advantage of • Open license for the standard
other uses for (not owned by Google)
Google Transit • In 3 years, has become the most
feed data commonly-used format for transit data:
+115 North American agencies, many
European and Asian agencies
• More at http://code.google.com/transit/
spec/transit_feed_specification.html
Trillium
TRANSIT INTERNET SOLUTIONS
Friday, March 20, 2009

37. Making the
most of
Google
Transit
Public data makes a
world-wide
community of
developers your
R&D lab
Over 20
agencies provide
their GTFS data
on the public
http://code.google.com/p/
feeds page
googletransitdatafeed/wiki/PublicFeeds
Trillium
TRANSIT INTERNET SOLUTIONS
Friday, March 20, 2009

38. Making the
most of
Google
Transit
Sendero GPS:
Leverage your GTFS can be used to create
investment: transit point of interest libraries
for sight-impaired people to use
Take advantage of with talking GPS
other uses for
Google Transit
feed data
Trillium
TRANSIT INTERNET SOLUTIONS
Friday, March 20, 2009

39. Making the
most of
Google
TimeTable
Transit
Publisher:
Leverage your
takes what was a multi-day process
investment: of proofreading schedules into a
Take advantage of few hour long process of
other uses for automatically outputting schedules
(see timetablepublisher.org).
Google Transit
feed data
Trillium
TRANSIT INTERNET SOLUTIONS
Friday, March 20, 2009

40. 108-H Line
Weekday Inbound
Space Sciences
Berkeley BART
Lawrence Hall
Lawrence Hall
Hearst Mining
Hearst Mining
UC Botanical
UC Botanical
Recreational
Recreational
Stop ID 2532
Stop ID 2590
Stop ID 2592
Stop ID 2579
Stop ID 2589
Stop ID 2539
Stop ID 2553
Stop ID 2551
Stop ID 2532
Evans Hall:
Evans Hall:
Strawberry
Strawberry
Circle Side
Circle Side
Downtown
of Science
of Science
Avenue @
Lab/MSRI
Shattuck
Station:
Canyon
Canyon
Garden
Garden
Area
Area
7:35 7:40 7:45 7:47 7:49 7:55 7:57 7:59 8:01 8:05
— 8:10 8:15 8:17 8:19 8:25 8:27 8:29 8:31 8:35
— 8:40 8:45 8:47 8:49 8:55 8:57 8:59 9:01 9:05
— 9:10 9:15 9:17 9:19 9:25 9:27 9:29 9:31 9:35
— 9:40 9:45 9:47 9:49 9:55 9:57 9:59 10:01 10:05
— 10:10 10:15 10:17 10:19 10:25 10:27 10:29 10:31 10:35
— 10:40 10:45 10:47 10:49 10:55 10:57 10:59 11:01 11:05
— 11:10 11:15 11:17 11:19 11:25 11:27 11:29 11:31 11:35
— 11:40 11:45 11:47 11:49 11:55 11:57 11:59 12:01 12:05
— 12:10 12:15 12:17 12:19 12:25 12:27 12:29 12:31 12:35
— 12:40 12:45 12:47 12:49 12:55 12:57 12:59 1:01 1:05
— 1:10 1:15 1:17 1:19 1:25 1:27 1:29 1:31 1:35
— 1:40 1:45 1:47 1:49 1:55 1:57 1:59 2:01 2:05
— 2:10 2:15 2:17 2:19 2:25 2:27 2:29 2:31 2:35
— 2:40 2:45 2:47 2:49 2:55 2:57 2:59 3:01 3:05
— 3:10 3:15 3:17 3:19 3:25 3:27 3:29 3:31 3:35
— 3:40 3:45 3:47 3:49 3:55 3:57 3:59 4:01 4:05
— 4:10 4:15 4:17 4:19 4:25 4:27 4:29 4:31 4:35
— 4:40 4:45 4:47 4:49 4:55 4:57 4:59 5:01 5:05
— 5:10 5:15 5:17 5:19 5:25 5:27 5:29 5:31 5:35
— 5:40 5:45 5:47 5:49 5:55 5:57 5:59 6:01 6:05
6:40 6:10 6:15 6:17 6:19 6:25 6:27 6:29 6:31 6:35
6:55 7:00 7:02 7:04 7:06 7:15 7:17 7:19 7:21 7:23
TimeTablePublisher.com : PDF generation — created by Frank Purcell.
Friday, March 20, 2009

41. Friday, March 20, 2009

42. Making the
most of
Google
Transit
Mashup with other
geographic
information
Example: UC
Berkeley Bear
Transit shuttle
routes with parking
lots and bike
parking
Trillium
TRANSIT INTERNET SOLUTIONS
Friday, March 20, 2009

43. Extensible
Making the
Applications
most of
Google
Transit
3rd party applications designed to
Leverage your consume GTFS
investment:
Software that Multi-modal trip planning
uses Google Show all relevant options –
Transit feed including public transit, private
information in employer shuttles, carpool,
multi-modal trip vanpool, biking, walking – through
planning a single map
Show interagency transfers
Trillium
TRANSIT INTERNET SOLUTIONS
Friday, March 20, 2009

44. Multi-Modal Planning
Patagonia - Ventura
Show all relevant
options; 7 carpool, 3
transit
Trillium
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Friday, March 20, 2009

45. Inter-service Transfers
Genentech – South San Francisco
Transfer from BART to
private employer shuttle
Trillium
TRANSIT INTERNET SOLUTIONS
Friday, March 20, 2009

46. Making the
most of
Google
Transit
Leverage your
investment:
Take advantage of
other uses for
Google Transit
feed data
Walkscore.com
“Transit shed”
map uses open
GTFS
Trillium
TRANSIT INTERNET SOLUTIONS
Friday, March 20, 2009

47. Making the
• Use a Google Transit launch to get
most of
media attention for your transit
Google
agency.
Transit
• Create a page on your agency
Other ideas & website with basic use instructions
strategies to get
for Google Transit and links to
the most out of
frequent trips.
Google Transit
• Educate social service
providers and other partners on
how to use Google Transit.
• Collect rider feedback to
improve the trip planner.
Trillium
TRANSIT INTERNET SOLUTIONS
Friday, March 20, 2009

48. Questions?
Kimberly Gayle Sue Crowe Linda Rhine Aaron Antrim
Caltrans DMT Shasta County RTPA NelsonNygaard Trillium Solutions
Trillium
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Friday, March 20, 2009