TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 10: Bus Route Evaluation Standards provides updated information to the 1984 United States Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) report entitled Bus Service Evaluation Methods: A Review, however, the results are not directly comparable as the respondents, questions asked, and analytical procedures differ in the 1994 synthesis. It does report what agencies do in the area of bus route, not system, evaluation standards, and how they undertake these efforts. 

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=2451 

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 11: System-Specific Spare Bus Ratios documents critical site specific variables that influence transit agencies' spare bus ratio policies. It profiles a select group of transit agencies of varying sizes and geographic locations and describes their operating environments in order to relate how these affect the number of spare buses each agency needs to meet its service requirements. 

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=2450

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 15: System-Specific Spare Rail Vehicle Ratios addresses the system-specific variables that directly impact fleet size, and the spare ratios that are maintained by individual transit agencies. From the information obtained, it appears that most rail transit agencies closely monitor the spare vehicles they maintain to maximize efficiency and thereby reduce operating costs. 

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=2446

This synthesis will be of interest to transit agency general managers, bus operations, planning, scheduling, safety, and procurement staff, as well as agency communications and engineering staff. It addresses various aspects of developing and deploying automated vehicle location ( AVL) systems over the last 20 years. Current practice, AVL architecture and technologies, and the institutional context of AVL defined in terms of funding, justification, staffing and procurement are discussed. This report of the Transportation Research Board describes the different approaches to AVL deployment used at selected transit agencies.  It attempts to define the role of AVL for bus transit by examining objectives of implementation and both technological and operational frameworks. 

The report for this topic can be purchased at http://gulliver.trb.org/bookstore/

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 17: Customer Information at Bus Stops addresses user information systems and describes current transit agency practices regarding customer information at bus stops within the text and through tables and multiple graphic illustrations. 

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=2444

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 19: Passenger Transfer System Review offers user information on a variety of transit agencies' approaches to transfer programs. Policy and operational issues, service design, and transfer automation are discussed, based on the experience of transit agencies in the United States and in Europe. 

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 16: Changing Roles and Practices of Bus Field Supervisors addresses the roles and responsibilities of bus field supervisors, including emerging concerns about how to improve the relationship between supervisors and bus operators, while placing supervisors in a more positive role; how to obtain a greater return from employee productivity with tightening budgets and declining ridership; and how to improve customer service. 

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=2445

TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 26: Bus Transit Fare Collection Practices It documents fixed route bus fare collection practices at selected transit agencies. Survey responses about fare policy, fare collection equipment, fare disputes, and fare evasion issues, as well as customer information and the impact of financial assistance are offered. 

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=2435

TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 29: Passenger Counting Technologies and Procedures summarizes information from selected transit agencies about benefits and problems associated with each passenger counting technology, as reported by current users. It also presents advice for agencies considering each technology.  

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=2432

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Research Results Digest 32: Accessibility of Automated Fare Vending and Collection for Customers with Disabilities identifies issues of accessibility to automated fare collection and vending machines by transit customers, examines the extent to which these issues arise, and describes solutions that have been implemented or identified as promising. 

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=2492

TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 34: Data Analysis for Bus Planning and Monitoring reviews the state of the practice in how data are analyzed. It addresses methods used to analyze data and what computer systems are used to store and process data. It also covers accuracy issues, including measurement error, and other problems, including error in estimates. 

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=2427

TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 39: Transportation on College and University Campuses offers survey information from 30 campus transit agencies including insights into the lessons learned and issues related to planning, implementing, and operating campus transit service. The focus is on the recent trend toward unlimited access funding systems for campus transit service, whereby students, faculty, staff, and in some cases, non-university-affiliated residents of a campus community are afforded unlimited use of transit service without paying a fare.  

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=562

TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 38: Electronic Surveillance Technology on Transit Vehicles describes the state of the practice concerning the use of on-board vehicle surveillance technologies designed to address both safety and security issues at public transportation agencies. It includes a review of emerging technologies likely to be implemented in the near future in the transit environment. Issues and shortcomings with surveillance are addressed, including financial, legal, maintenance, and procedural concerns. This document touches on the successes and failures of systems in meeting both system needs and product descriptions.

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=2423

TRB’s Transportation Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 49: Yield to Bus -- State of the Practice examines yield to bus programs in California, Florida, Oregon, Washington State, and British Columbia. It documents information gathered about the legislative process and history; program implementation, including public awareness and education campaigns, employee awareness and training, and the design and location of the yield display on the bus; as well as transit agency experiences covering transit operational issues, traffic operational issues, institutional issues, and public acceptance. 

This report is published at  http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=1951

TRB's Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis Report 48: Real-Time Bus Arrival Information Systems includes information on relevant technical capabilities, agency experience, cost, and bus rider reactions to real-time bus arrival information systems. The report describes the state of the practice, including both U.S. and international experience.

The report is published at http://www.trb.org/main/blurbs/152932.aspx

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 57: Computer-Aided Scheduling and Dispatch in Demand-Responsive Transit Services explores the experiences of selected transit agencies, four contract service providers, and four software vendors, focusing on current practice, successful implementation of computer-aided scheduling and dispatch (CASD) systems, and impediments to success. The report summarizes the state-of-the-practice experiences of a selected group of transit agencies about the implementation and use of CASD systems employed to provide Americans with Disabilities Act and other DRT services. In addition, it identifies much of the past and ongoing research pertaining to the topic.

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=4553

TRB’s Transportation Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 75: Uses of Higher Capacity Buses in Transit Service explores the use of higher capacity (HC) public transit buses in trunk, express, long-distance commuter, Bus Rapid Transit, and special (e.g., sports and special events) services in North America. For purposes of this study, HC buses included articulated, double-deck, 45-ft, and other buses that have a significant increase in passenger capacity compared with conventional 40-ft buses.

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 73: AVL Systems for Bus Transit: Update explores the uses of computer-aided dispatch/automatic vehicle location (CAD/AVL) systems in fixed-route and demand-responsive services (bus AVL), as well as changes in agency practices related to the use of AVL systems. 

The report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=9051

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 77: Passenger Counting Systems explores analytical tools and technologies for collecting transit ridership and other subsidiary data. The report also examines issues of potential concern to transit agencies considering automatic passenger counter systems.

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=9942

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 79: Light Rail Vehicle Collisions with Vehicles at Signalized Intersections explores mitigation methods tested and used by transit agencies to reduce collisions between light rail vehicles (LRVs) and motor vehicles where light rail transit (LRT) runs through or adjacent to highway intersections controlled by conventional traffic signals. 

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 87: Practices in the Development and Deployment of Downtown Circulators explores the development, deployment, and sustainability of downtown circulator systems.

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 90: Video Surveillance Uses by Rail Transit Agencies explores the current use of electronic video surveillance technology solely by passenger rail agencies onboard railcars, along rights-of-way, and more.

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 91: Use and Deployment of Mobile Device Technology for Real-Time Transit Information examines the use and deployment of real-time transit information on mobile devices. The report explores the underlying technology required to generate the information to be disseminated, the mobile technology used for dissemination, the characteristics of the information, the resources required to successfully deploy information on mobile devices, and the contribution of mobile messaging to an overall agency communications strategy, including “information equity.”

The report is published at www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/166249.aspx

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 104: Use of Electronic Passenger Information Signage in Transit documents U.S. and international use of electronic passenger information signage in terms of the underlying technology, sign technology, characteristics of the information, resources required, and decision processes used to determine its use.

The report is published at www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/169022.aspx

The report is published at www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/169294.aspx

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 117: Better On-Street Bus Stops explores major issues and successful approaches to address on-street bus stops from both the transit agency’s perspective and customer's perspective. It documents the current state of the practice with regard to actions taken to address constraints and improvements to on-street bus stops.

The report is published at www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/172376.aspx

TRB's Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 130: Battery Electric Buses—State of the Practice documents current practices of transit systems in the planning, procurement, infrastructure installation, operation, and maintenance of battery electric buses (BEBs). The goal of this study is to provide an overview of the current state of practice regarding the deployment of electric battery buses (i.e., service, operations and maintenance). Information will be gathered by a literature review and a survey of the current transit systems that deploy electric buses.

The report is published at www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/177400.aspx

TRB's Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 131: College Student Transit Pass Programs focuses on the relationship established between transit agencies and universities and colleges, and documents current state of the practice to better develop and evaluate college student transit pass programs. Many large transit agencies currently have student pass programs with colleges and universities. These are commonly known as U-Pass programs. These may have very different structures and operating regimes. Compiling information on these programs would be very useful for all transit agencies serving college student populations.

The report is published at www.trb.org/TCRP/Blurbs/177362.aspx

Transit agencies around the country are facing the challenges of reducing transit bus collisions and the injuries, fatalities, and liability expenses associated with these collisions.

The TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program's TCRP Synthesis 145: Current Practices in the Use of Onboard Technologies to Avoid Transit Bus Incidents and Accidents documents the current practices in the use of the various onboard technologies on transit buses to prevent incidents and accidents, with a primary objective of determining whether these technologies are effective in actual practice.

The examination shows that many transit agencies are proactively instituting a number of approaches to address these collisions, including the piloting and use of collision avoidance technologies, such as forward collision warning (FCW), emergency braking, lane departure warning (LDW), and electronic stability control (ESC).

Five different business models for mobile fare payment apps are examined, as the world of apps used by transit agencies in the United States and Canada continues to steadily grow.

The TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program's TCRP Synthesis 148: Business Models for Mobile Fare Apps documents current practices and experiences of transit agencies that offer mobile fare payment applications to transit riders.

The report includes case examples from six cities: Santa Monica, Denver, Austin, Chicago, Dallas, and Ontario, Canada.

Sixty percent of the transit-industry practitioners surveyed rate their transit agency’s efforts to address their major security challenges as somewhat or very successful. However, only 25 percent say they have implemented any security-risk-reduction program that they consider to be exceptional or exemplary.

The TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program's TCRP Synthesis 146: Transit Security Preparedness identifies current practices transit systems can use to enhance their security measures and to identify opportunities to apply security technology applications used in other industries to the transit environment.

One size does not fit all in the context of transit security. However, there are common themes in all effective security preparedness approaches.

The TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program's TCRP Synthesis 144: Multimodal Fare Payment Integration documents current practices and experiences of transit agencies dealing with the complexities of multimodal fare payment convergence.

The TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program's TCRP Synthesis 158: Cybersecurity in Transit Systems identifies and documents emerging cybersecurity trends related to teleworking/remote worker offices, contactless customer service, real-time information services, transit-on-demand services, and cyber resilience affecting transit agencies now and in the near future.

This TCRP synthesis documents practices in BRT/high-priority bus transit corridor planning, design, and construction, with a focus on pedestrian and bicycle safety. The final report can be found here as TCRP Synthesis 169.

This TCRP synthesis provides an overview of the current practices in real-time management of street operations at North American transit agencies. The final report can be found here as TCRP Synthesis 166.

This synthesis will document the current practice of the creation of statewide  / regionwide transportation information systems. A review of states doing similar projects, their goals, the process they are using to collect data, their organizational structure, the intended users, and their progress to date shall be included.  Published as TCRP Synthesis Report 172. 

This synthesis documents the practice of the use of transportation exclusion policies in North American transit systems. The final deliverable should assist transit agencies to understand the usefulness of such policies, as well as methods for creating, amending, or supplementing exclusion policies to maximize their effectiveness in reducing crime and disorder within their respective transit systems. Access TCRP Synthesis 173 here.

This synthesizes documents the current practices by transit agencies to coordinate or partner with electric utilities to negotiate rate structure and increase energy loads in relation to transit fleet electrification and other zero-emissions fleet transitions. Specifically, the synthesis will focus on bus fleet electrification whether for specific bus routes or the larger transit network. It is published as TCRP Synthesis 175. 

The objective of this synthesis is to document the current state of practice around transit recovery plans (plans that direct transit agency actions as they transition from response to recovery), identify if the existence of these plans reduces operational downtime and look at key instances of short, and long-term recovery.

The objective of this synthesis is to document the initiatives of transit agencies to support nighttime off-peak transit ridership.  There are two different initiatives that should be documented by this research: 

• Initiatives to support the nighttime transit demand; and,
• Initiatives to support nighttime essential, service, and shift workers. 

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 62: Integration of Bicycles and Transit examines how transit agencies may improve their existing services and assist other communities in developing new bicycle and transit services.  Synthesis 62 updates TCRP Synthesis 4: Integration of Bicycles and Transit (1994). 

The report is published at http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/tcrp/tsyn04.pdf

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 14: Innovative Suburb-to-Suburb Transit Practices provides information about the suburban shift from the more traditional central business district oriented service patterns of selected transit agencies. Transit agencies with limited marketing successes in this area are being challenged to address these nontraditional markets anew. 

The report is published at https://www.nap.edu/catalog/9540/tcrp-synthesis-of-transit-practice-14-innovative-suburb-to-suburb

TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 32: Transit Advertising Revenue: Traditional and New Sources and Structures offers information from selected North American and other transit agencies about the existing environment for advertising on transit property and describes agency experiences. It also explores innovative revenue-generating practices.  

The report is published at http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/tcrp/tsyn32.pdf

TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 37: Communicating with Persons with Disabilities in a Multimodal Transit Environment describes current North American transit practice in information and communication technologies, as well as operations, implementation, and human factor issues. Attention is given to information and communication technologies related to planning, customer service, marketing, and training that can improve the travel experience for all persons traveling in a transit environment. The focus is on the communication techniques and technologies for persons with sensory and cognitive disabilities. 

The report is published at http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/tcrp/tsyn37.pdf

TRB's Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 41: The Use of Small Buses in Transit Service examines the use of small buses -- 30 ft or less in length -- as replacements for large buses in fixed-route, scheduled servcice or those used in innovative, more flexible operations such as route deviation or demand-resonse service. 

The report is published at http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/tcrp/tsyn41.pdf

TRB's Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 45, Customer-Focused Transit, documents the experiences of selected public transportation agencies in developing and implementing customer-service programs by examining the effectiveness of certain customer-focused activities. 

The report is published at http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/tcrp/tsyn45_Intro.pdf

TRB's Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 43: Effective Use of Transit Websites explores current practices and recent experiences concerning website design, marketing, and administration. 

This report is published at  http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=645

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 53: Operational Experiences with Flexible Transit Services examines transit agency experiences with “flexible transit services,” including all types of hybrid services that are not pure demand-responsive (including dial-a-ride and Americans with Disabilities Act paratransit) or fixed-route services, but that fall somewhere in between those traditional service models.  

This report is published at https://www.nap.edu/read/23364/chapter/2

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 51: Transit Advertising Sales Agreements documents and summarizes transit agency experiences with advertising sales and synthesizes current practices for advertising sales, contracting, and display. 

The report is published at https://www.nap.edu/read/23381/chapter/1

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 60: Practices in No-Show and Late Cancellation Policies for ADA Paratransit examines current and innovative practices of U.S. transit agencies in the development and implementation of passenger no-show and late cancellation policies for paratransit programs operated under the regulatory requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).  The report reviews the administration, community response, and effectiveness of policies in small, medium, and large transit agencies.  The report addresses policies as a way to improve system productivity, efficiency, and capacity, and as a means to better service riders with disabilities who may experience difficulties with the advance reservation aspect of most ADA complementary paratransit operations. 

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=5343

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 62: Integration of Bicycles and Transit examines how transit agencies may improve their existing services and assist other communities in developing new bicycle and transit services.  Synthesis 62 updates TCRP Synthesis 4: Integration of Bicycles and Transit (1994). 

The report is published at http://onestreet.org/documents/BicyclesandTransitUS2005.pdf

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 65: Transit Agency Participation in Medicaid Transportation Programs explores the tasks that may help develop successful public transit–non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) partnerships.  The report examines real and perceived barriers to NEMT and public transit coordination and includes case studies of Medicaid transportation program participation by transit agencies. 

The report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=6603

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 68: Methods of Rider Communication examines methods of communicating with transit customers in a variety of situations. The report explores the state of the practice in transit agency communications with customers, investigates how transit agencies determine the effectiveness of their communications activities, and reviews lessons learned in developing communications programs and communicating by electronic means. 

The report is published at http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/tcrp/tcrp_syn_68.pdf

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 74: Policies and Practices for Effectively and Efficiently Meeting ADA Paratransit Demand highlights policies and practices that transit agencies may be able to apply to their own paratransit services, often without the need to devote significant funds, personnel, or other resources.  The report also examines certain practices and technologies that are still under development or have not undergone extensive testing.

The report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=9150

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 76: Integration of Paratransit and Fixed-Route Transit Services explores the experiences of transit agencies that have attempted to depart from the traditional binary model of separate fixed-route and paratransit services by seeking a variety of ways to integrate their services.  Options examined in the report include the provision of paratransit feeder services, community bus or circulators, connectors, fixed-route fare incentives, and route deviation. 

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 94: Innovative Rural Transit Services highlights transit and rural intercity bus service responses to changing rural community transportation needs. The report includes an emphasis on the innovative and/or entrepreneurial spirit, the innovator, and the conditions required for innovation.

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 88: Strollers, Carts, and Other Large Items on Buses and Trains documents the state of the practice of transit agencies managing capacity on vehicles carrying customers with large items. The synthesis also includes a discussion of vehicle designs to accommodate these various large items.

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 98: Ridesharing as a Complement to Transit explores current practices in using ridesharing to complement public transit and highlights ways to potentially enhance ridesharing and public transit.

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 99: Uses of Social Media in Public Transportation explores the use of social media among transit agencies and documents successful practices in the United States and Canada.

For the purposes of the report, social media are defined as a group of web-based applications that encourage users to interact with one another, such as blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, Foursquare, and MySpace.

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 103: Transit Station and Stop Adoption Programs explores transit agency programs in which local organizations, individuals, or other partners “adopt” a transit station or stop and receive recognition or incentives in exchange for, periodically, performing duties such as removing litter, maintaining vegetation, or reporting suspicious activity.

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 116: Practices for Establishing ADA Paratransit Eligibility Assessment Facilities examines practices that transit agencies use to determine if a user is eligible for paratransit under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Specifically, it reviews the processes, facilities, equipment, and tools used by transit agencies, through data collection that included in-person interviews and functional assessments.

The goal of this synthesis is to provide a better understanding of cooperative transit and bikesharing relationships and to document the experiences of transit systems with bikesharing as a mode.

Although several reports describe transit agency practices for determining eligibility for ADA paratransit service, little has been documented about how transit agencies manage appeals by applicants who are determined to be “not eligible” or are found “conditionally eligible,” including temporary eligibility. This synthesis will document the current state of the practice and identify challenges and lessons learned through a literature review, survey of representative transit agencies, and documentation of selected case examples/profiles.

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 142: Implementing the U.S. DOT Reasonable Modification Rule provides an overview of the current state of practice regarding transit systems implementation of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) regulation 49 C.F.R Part 37.

The report describes the experiences of agencies as they make reasonable modifications to their practices and policies in order to both respond to the regulation and ensure service to people with disabilities. The report also includes case examples of six transit systems, which present an in-depth analysis of the issues, opportunities, challenges, lessons learned, and keys to success in implementation of reasonable modifications . The need for future research is also discussed.

Under the U.S. DOT regulations for implementing the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (49 C.F.R. Parts 37 and 27), transportation service providers and recipients of federal funding are required to ensure their services do not discriminate against people with disabilities.

In 2015, the U.S. DOT amended 49 C.F.R. Parts 27 and 37 to require transportation entities to make “reasonable modifications/accommodations to policies, practices, and procedures to avoid discrimination and ensure that their programs are accessible to individuals with disabilities.” Effective July 13, 2015, 49 C.F.R. §37.169 of this final rule requires that public entity transit providers develop their own processes for making decisions and for providing reasonable modifications to their policies and practices.

This Research Results Digest identifies and documents current practices for transit agencies of all sizes and from across the country that have neotitated and structured local agency service agreements with social service agencies to meet mutual needs. The final report can be found here as TCRP Research Results Digest 115. 

This Synthesis documents current practices in how on-demand services are marketed to various rider groups, including outreach to persons with disabilities, older adults, and marginalized populations. The final report can be found here as TCRP Synthesis 165. 

This TCRP synthesis documents the current use of CDO for ADA paratransit where optimization results in imporiving the efficiency of the route schedule and the overall productivity of the on-demand service without affecting the customer's confirmed pickup time window.. The final report can be found here as TCRP Synthesis 168.

The increase in the population of older adults who are ambulatory but are eligible to use paratransit has increased the demand for paratransit service delivery. This growth has, in turn, led some transit agencies to move away from standard one-vehicle type fleets in favor of a mixed fleet incorporating smaller accessible vehicles and non-accessible vehicles (generally sedans). TCRP Synthesis 174 can be downloaded here. 

This Synthesis will document the current practices transit systems use to improve customer perception of personal security. The report will highlight the following: the strategies that are being used to increase customer perception of  security on transit; whether the strategies are successful; how these strategies are communicated to the public; and the associated change in customers’ perceptions.

The objective of this synthesis is to document the current practice of providing discounts for low-income riders at transit agencies. In addition, the synthesis will document how discount programs work with different fare structures and mediums, and how programs can be coordinated regionally with neighboring operators. Finally, access and equity evaluations from a selection of agencies will provide insights into the rider outcomes of these program.

The objective of this synthesis is to document the current state of practice of transit agencies that have implemented microtransit in less-dense settings. 

The objective of this synthesis is to document the types of integrations/consolidations of ADA paratransit with on-demand services, including those offered to the general public, and its associated outcomes in a variety of geographic settings (including ex-urban and rural communities).

The purpose of this synthesis is to document the successes and challenges of public transit agencies serving IDD customers with ADA paratransit service.

The objective of this synthesis will be to document the use of art (permanent artwork, rotating installations, visual and performing art, etc.) in transit systems around the United States and Canada. This synthesis will document what types of programs exist and explore the reasons why agencies utilize art in their transit systems.

The objective is to document emerging practices in transit CX programs. 

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 50: Use of Rear-Facing Position for Common Wheelchairs on Transit Buses describes the international state of the practice with respect to use of the rear-facing position for accommodating “common wheelchairs” (as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act) on large transit buses (more than 30,000 lbs) and identifies pertinent issues related to its transferability to the U.S. context.  This topic is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=2311

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 58: Emergency Response Procedures for Natural Gas Transit Vehicles identifies and documents the state of the practice on emergency response protocols to incidents involving natural gas-filled transit buses.  The report is designed to assist first responders to natural gas incidents—emergency response professionals such as police officers and fire-fighters; transit agency operations and maintenance employees, police, and security guards; and certain members of the general public.  This topic is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=4806

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 70: Mobile Data Terminals explores the state-of-the-practice of mobile data terminals in transit and examines the capability of mobile data computers offered by technology vendors to the industry. The report also reviews wireless communications infrastructure that supports mobile data terminal (MDT) deployment in transit.  A copy of this report can be found at http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/tcrp/tcrp_syn_70.pdf

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 72: Use of Biodiesel in a Transit Fleet explores potential benefits offered by biodiesel in order to help transit agencies make informed decisions regarding its use. A copy of this report can be found at http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/tcrp/tcrp_syn_72.pdf

TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 23: Inspection Policy and Procedures for Rail Transit Tunnels and Underground Structures describes the current state of the practice for specific management policies and procedures and engineering/physical techniques used to inspect rail transit tunnels and underground structures. It discusses the available data on, different approaches of, and potential data inadequacies for agency rail transit tunnel inspection policies and procedures and inspection techniques. 

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=2438

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 64: Bus Use of Shoulders explores transit agencies’ experiences with policies and regulations that permit buses to use shoulders on arterial roads or freeways to bypass congestion either as interim or long-term treatments.  The report examines the issue from the transit and highway perspectives. 

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=6444

The TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program's TCRP Synthesis Report 150: Third Rail Insulator Failures: Current State of the Practice documents the present practices and lessons learned, challenges, and gaps in the information related to the use of third rail insulator systems in the United States.

The TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program's TCRP Synthesis 152 Transit Agencies Relationships and Initiatives to Improve Bus Stops and Pedestrian Access summarizes the current state of practice for bus stop and pedestrian infrastructure improvement programs and processes in place at transit agencies and other public organizations. 

 The Report is published here.

The objective of this synthesis is to document the current state of practice in the performance and implementation of red tinted bus lanes. 

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 12: Transit Bus Service Line and Cleaning Functions provides a variety of approaches to transit bus service line and cleaning functions so transit agencies can evaluate the effectiveness of their own operations. 

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=2449

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 54: Maintenance Productivity Practices provides descriptions of successful maintenance productivity programs and creative modifications to existing programs. 

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=4199

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 61: Maintenance Staffing Levels for Light Rail Transit examines light rail maintenance staffing practices and factors important in their development at U.S. transit agencies. It covers the areas of maintenance functions, new light rail start-up, and management in attempting to give better insight into the variables affecting maintenance staffing. 

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=5503

The objective of this synthesis is to document the current practices employed by public transit agencies to define, assess, and manage the "state of good repair" for their capital assets and infrastructure.

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 18: Bus Occupant Safety offers information on the current practices of transit agencies to reduce injuries to bus occupants during collisions and injuries to passengers while boarding, riding, and leaving the bus. 

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=2443

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 3: Employee Incentive Programs to Improve Transit Performance provides an overview of current practice in employee incentive programs. Information on incentive programs that provide a one-time payment or recognition for a particular job accomplishment are presented as gleaned from survey responses from a varied group of public transit agencies. The synthesis contains observations on establishing incentive programs in public transit agencies, information on the types of incentive programs in transit organizations, and describes samples of programs in use, as well as offering general perceptions from survey recipients. 

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=2458

TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 21: Improving Transit Security examines the nature and extent of transit crime, effective strategies to combat problem situations, and case studies of specific control practices deemed successful by transit agency professionals (with no distinctions drawn between bus and rail modes) are discussed.  

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=2440

TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 22: Monitoring Bus Maintenance Performance describes current practices related to maintenance performance. The objective is to identify how maintenance performance measures drive day-to-day and strategic decisions.  

This report is published at  http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=2439

TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 27: Emergency Preparedness for Transit Terrorism provides a useful perspective on mass transit preparedness, offering information on the current practices of selected transit agencies to prevent and respond to terrorism and acts of extreme violence. This synthesis contrasts transit perspectives to those of general service police through a review of the relevant literature.  

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=2434

TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 33: Practices in Assuring Employee Availability presents state of the practice information about the various actions transit agencies (and other employers) have taken to help ensure the availability of quality employees in an increasingly competitive employment environment. It focuses on the practices and policies transit agencies have put in place to help minimize absenteeism at their agencies, from which other agencies may find useful applications.  

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=2428

TRB's Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 40: A Challenged Employment System: Hiring, Training, Performance Evaluation, and Retention of Bus Operators provides a snapshot of public agencies' practices in bus operator hiring, training, performance evaluation, and retention. 

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=561

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 71: Paratransit Manager's Skills, Qualifications, and Needs examines current requirements for being a paratransit manager and actual experiences of current paratransit managers in their positions.  The synthesis is designed to help enhance the paratransit management profession and paratransit service delivery. A copy of this report can be found at http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/tcrp/tcrp_syn_71.pdf

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 93: Practices to Protect Bus Operators from Passenger Assault highlights practices and policies implemented by transit agencies to deter and mitigate assaults on bus operators.

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 95: Practices for Wayside Rail Transit Worker Protection is designed to highlight knowledge, practice, lessons learned, and gaps in information related to wayside rail transit worker protection programs.

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 97: Improving Bus Transit Safety Through Rewards and Discipline addresses the practices and experiences of public transit agencies in applying both corrective actions and rewards to recognize, motivate, and reinforce a safety culture within their organizations.

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 108: Transit Bus Operator Distraction Policies is designed to help transit agencies develop policies and programs to address and prevent distracted driving incidents.

The TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program's TCRP Synthesis 147: Attracting, Retaining, and Advancing Women in Transit explores the strategies that have been deployed in transit and other related industries in order to attract, retain, and advance women in a variety of roles.

A critical first step to ensure success in these areas is to remove barriers to entry and address challenges women face once employed.

TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 28: Managing Transit Construction Contract Claims offers information from selected transit agencies about the underlying causes of construction disputes and practices in use today to identify and resolve them before they become formal claims. The synthesis focuses on avoidance and resolution of disputes, examines ways of settling disputes at their inception, and considers the experiences of the transit industry in the use of alternative dispute resolution techniques. 

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=2433

TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 31: Paratransit Contracting and Service Delivery Methods offers information from selected transit agencies about the operational practices used to provide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit services and identifies factors perceived by transit personnel to have influenced the selection of service delivery methodology. It focuses on the state of the practice in paratransit contracting and service delivery methods to comply with ADA paratransit provisions. 

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=2430

TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 36: Identifying and Reducing Fraudulent Third Party Tort Claims Against Public Transit Agencies Research Board describes those practices in place at public transit agencies to prevent and respond to third party fraudulent claims, including a review of salient aspects of the public transit claims process in the context of managing current and partial tort liability. It examines the level of claims, presents a structured methodology for approaching the fraudulent claims issue, and describes practices that have been implemented to reduce claims abuse. The emphasis is on strategies that organizations have adopted to counter insurance fraud. 

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=2425

TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 35: Information Technology Update for Transit is an update of TCRP Synthesis 5: Management Information Systems, and documents the transit industry's state of the practice in information and communication technologies against a contemporary background of business practice. It is organized into the basic architectural pieces that constitute an IT plan in order to provide the essential framework for the planning process. Additionally, organizational issues and policies and market trends affecting investment in and deployment of Management Information System (MIS) technology are documented.  

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=2426

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 56: Performance-Based Measures in Transit Fund Allocation examines the extent to which traditional measures of transit performance, such as internal measures of economic efficiency, service effectiveness, and productivity, are used in allocating funds to transit. 

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=4552

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 92: Transit Asset Condition Reporting examines and documents the current state of the practice in transit asset condition management. The report defines transit asset management as a strategic planning process that supports informed capital investment planning and programming.

The report’s objective is to provide transit agencies and their federal, state, and local funding partners with a review of current practices in order to help encourage an industry-wide discussion on standards and the data needed to measure conditions and use the information in making effective investment decisions.

The TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program's TCRP Synthesis 155: Intelligent Transportation Systems in Headway-Based Bus Service synthesizes the current state of the practice of headway-based service operations and focuses on the proactive use of intelligent transportation systems technologies to optimize these services.

The TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program's TCRP Synthesis 153: The Transit Analyst Toolbox: Analysis and Approaches for Reporting, Communicating, and Examining Transit Data will assist transit agencies that want to develop and/or adopt data-drive culture.

The synthesis will document current practices and metrics used to contract out bus operations and maintenance in North America. It will look at all situations where O&M  services are contracted out (i.e. the entire network is contracted out or divisions or sections of the network are contracted out). The synthesis will document the reasons for outsourcing and the metrics used by agencies for evaluating whether to self-operate or contract out bus operations and maintenance in North America.  In addition, the synthesis will ascertain how agencies are holding their third party providers accountable against contractual terms as well as methodologies that agencies use to monitor and oversee contractors. Research published as TCRP Synthesis 171. 

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 20: Transit-Focused Development offers information on a variety of municipalities' and transit agencies' attitudes toward the built environment around rail stations. Policy and implementation issues, completed and unimplemented projects are discussed. 

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=2441

TRB's Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 42: Use of Flexible Funds for Transfer Under ISTEA and TEA-21 reviews how current flexible funding provisions are being used to support transit investment and to examines lessons that may have the broadest relevance throughout the transit industry. The scope of the synthesis includes references to summary FTA data from FY 1992–2000, spanning the entire life of the ISTEA legislation and the first 3 years of TEA-21. 

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=646

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 55: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Applications in Transit examines the value of GIS to transit agencies in service and cost savings. The synthesis summarizes the experiences of a variety of transit agencies, with information from small- and medium-sized transit operators, as well as from large transit agencies. It documents current practices, effective applications, and challenges.  

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=4502

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 59: Strategic Planning and Management in Transit Agencies examines the value and benefits of strategic planning and management in transit agencies.  The report also provides case studies from five transit agencies based on the comprehensiveness of process or presence of innovative or noteworthy practices. 

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=4943

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 63: On-Board and Intercept Transit Survey Techniques examines transit agencies’ experiences with planning and implementing on-board and intercept surveys. On-board and intercept surveys include self-administered surveys distributed on board buses and railcars, and in stations, as well as interviews conducted in these environments. The report provides an overview of industry practices and covers a broad range of issues addressed in planning a given survey. 

This report is published at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=5680

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 66: Fixed-Route Transit Ridership Forecasting and Service Planning Methods examines the state of the practice in fixed-route transit ridership forecasting and service planning.  The report also explores forecasting methodologies, resource requirements, data inputs, and organizational issues.  In addition, the report analyzes the impacts of service changes and reviews transit agency assessments of the effectiveness and reliability of their methods and of desired improvements.  A link of this report is located at http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7084

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 85: Effective Use of Citizen Advisory Committees for Transit Planning Operations examines the involvement of advisory committees in transit planning and operations by exploring the experiences from a few agencies in detail.

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 89: Public Participation Strategies for Transit documents the state-of-the-practice in terms of public participation strategies to inform and engage the public for transit-related activities.

The synthesis also provides ideas and insights into practices and techniques that agencies have found to be most successful, and discusses challenges relating to engaging the public.

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 138: Public Transit Rider Origin–Destination Survey Methods and Technologies captures the state of the practice among agencies of different sizes, geographic locations, and modes and evaluates the opportunities for and challenges of conducting surveys in an era of emerging technologies.

The report presents the reality and complexity of conducting origin–destination surveys and will allow agencies to compare what they are currently doing with what others are doing, get ideas about what other strategies are possible, and make better decisions about surveying in the future.

The report includes case examples of five transit systems that present an in-depth analysis of various survey strategies and include two agencies that have leveraged passive data to complement or eliminate origin–destination surveys.

The TRB Transit Cooperative Research Program's TCRP Synthesis 154: Innovative Practices for Transit Planning at Small to Mid-Sized Agencies documents innovative practices for solving transit planning challenges faced by small and mid-sized transit agencies.

This TCRP synthesis documents current, effective, ongoing public participation mechanisms resulting in, and instilling participation from, communities of color, communities with limited English-language proficiency and low-income populations; and people with disabilities. The final report can be found here as TCRP Synthesis 170.

This TCRP synthesis identifies how transit agencies were able to quickly pivot during the pandemic to deploy resources for other temporary "incidental uses" and respond to the need for essential services. The final report can be found here as TCRP Synthesis 167.

The objective of this synthesis is to document the current practices of transit systems dealing with illegal substances like methamphetamine and fentanyl use in their transit vehicles and stations.  The synthesis should assess the current use of methamphetamine and fentanyl in transit, describe the types of interventions, and the results of such interventions.

This synthesis will cover issues of screening/triggers for identifying rural and exurban bus stop locations, jurisdictional authority, coordination, and funding/maintenance agreements necessary to improve the conditions of these bus stops.