The body of asset management research and the Asset Management Guide (FTA Report 0027, October 2012) acknowledge that asset condition encompasses a broad spectrum of factors that include age, inspected asset condition, and performance. The body of transit service quality research is documented in Transit Capacity and Quality of Service Manual (TCQSM, Edition 3, TCRP Report 165, 2014).

While many factors affect transit service quality (e.g., weather, environmental factors, service design, special events, congestion, asset condition, etc.), research is needed that focuses only on asset conditions as variables affecting transit service quality. More specifically, this research must consider what empirical data, assumptions, and analyses are needed to estimate how asset conditions affect transit service quality.

Currently there is insufficient empirical evidence to support the quantitative relationships between asset condition and transit service quality. Clearly establishing the connection between asset condition and service quality will allow transit agencies and the public transportation industry, as a whole, to make better investment decisions.

The objective of this research is to provide guidance to transit decisionmakers, based on empirical evidence, on the relationship between asset condition and transit service quality to support investment prioritization.

Completed; The report  has been published as TCRP Report 198 and can be downloaded at TRB.org .