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The following page contains recent transit research publications funded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) from 2004 to the current year.

Older research publications (pre-2004) are listed in the Research Reports Archive.

They can be located via the Transportation Research Information Services (TRIS), a searchable database of publications, reports and articles maintained by the Transportation Research Board and supported by state and federal agencies.

Preparation Instructions for FTA Final Reports and Report Documentation Page

Latest Research Publications

Research reports published in the last several months will be listed here as well as within category sections below.

April 2012

• FTA Report 0008 - Safe Transit in Shared Use (July 2011). This report provides a research study that develops concepts for temporal separation to enable shared use operations in additional locations with more frequent and more flexible operations of FRA-compliant and non-compliant services.
• FTA Report 0007 - Preparedness and Catastrophic Event Management for the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area (December 2010). This report studies the devastating effects of terrorism and examines and assess the outcome of potential terrorist attacks in preparation for an emergency evacuation by minimizing damages and enhancing solutions for the safety of the public in Washington, D.C.
• FTA Report 0006 - Evolution of Intelligent Transportation Systems for Mobility Management and Coordination Serving California’s Rural Frontier (January 2012). This report documents the evolution, development, and lessons learned while attempting to identify, modify, and deploy Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) and advanced technology tools to facilitate coordination of public transit and social (human) service transportation and mobility management in a “one stop shop” located in Modoc County (northeast), California.

January 2012

• FTA Report 0005 - Crashworthiness Evaluation of Light Rail Vehicle Interiors (December 2011). This report contains results of a study on passenger safety depending on the configuration and severity of the accident, as well as the degree of crashworthiness engineered in the overall vehicle design.
  NOTE: Document may be slow to download due to its size.
• FTA Report 0004 - Metro Orange Line BRT Project Evaluation (October 2011). This report contains a comprehensive overview of the Orange Line, including a historical narrative; a profile of project elements, project costs, issues in planning, design, and implementation; technology applications; and a “lessons learned” summary.

November 2011

• FTA Report 0003 - National Fuel Cell Bus Program: Proterra Fuel Cell Hybrid Bus Report, Columbia Demonstration (October 2011). This report summarizes the experience and early results from a fuel cell bus demonstration funded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) under the National Fuel Cell Bus Program. A team led by the Center for Transportation and the Environment and Proterra developed a new concept fuel cell hybrid bus for demonstration.

September 2011

• FTA Report 0002 - Miami Urban Partnership Evaluation Report Agreement (UPA) Pines Boulevard Transit Signal Priority (September 2011) - This report summarizes the findings of TSP data collection on Pines/Hollywood Blvd. from December 2010 to February 2011. The data showed an average time savings of 4 minutes in the AM peak period due to TSP, which amounted to a 12 percent reduction in travel times.

August 2011

• FTA Report 0001 - Flooded Bus Barns and Buckled Rails: Public Transportation and Climate Change Adaptation (August 2011). This project is to provide transit professionals with information and analysis relevant to adapting U.S. public transportation assets and services to climate change impacts. Climate impacts such as heat waves and flooding will hinder agencies’ ability to achieve goals such as attaining a state of good repair and providing reliability and safety.
• Implementation of Advanced Technologies in Rural Transit Service for the State of North Dakota (June 2009) - The final report for the Implementation of Advanced Technologies in Rural Transit Service for the State of North Dakota project, describes the motivation for, development and operation of, and lessons learned from an Internet based trip planning system.

 

July 2011

• FTA Transit Intelligent Transportation System Architecture Consistency Review – 2010 Update (June 2011). The report provides an assessment on the level of compliance among the FTA grantees with the National ITS Architecture Policy, specifically (1) examining the use and maintenance of Regional ITS Architecture by transit agencies to plan, predict, and guidance their ITS deployment within their regions; (2) the use of the systems engineering process; and (3) the use and implementation of US DOT-supported ITS standards.

 

June 2011

• Multimodal Trip Planner System Final Evaluation Report (May 2010) - The purpose of this evaluation is gathering information to share with the transit community and other stakeholders on the technical and institutional issues including Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) standards, communication, marketing, and the technical feasibility of integrating single-mode trip planning. The report concludes with lessons learned and recommendations related to the development of a door-to-door, multimodal trip planner system.

 

May 2011

• An Evaluation of the Cleveland HealthLine Mechanical Guide Wheel (March 2011) - Vehicles on the Cleveland HealthLine Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system are equipped with a mechanical docking arm and guide wheel to assist with precision docking at the stations. This report documents the evaluation of the guide wheel in 4 areas: how close to the platform the vehicles were able to dock; how fast the vehicles were able to dock; how much money was spent on damages related to docking; and how well the guide wheels are regarded by the HealthLine drivers. The evaluation compared the performance of the HealthLine to the EmX BRT in Eugene, Oregon. The EmX uses the same model vehicle as the HealthLine but does not come equipped with a docking arm and guide wheel.
• Traveler Information Systems and Wayfinding Technologies in Transit Systems (May 2011) - The report provides a technology evaluation, with an understanding of wayfinding technology benefits and services for transit agencies and users. The research also identifies challenges experienced by transit agencies regarding the use and implementation of wayfinding technologies and gaps that exist in current technologies.

 

April 2011

• LYNX/PCTS Rural ITS Implementation and Evaluation Study (December 2010) - This report summarizes the efforts to implement and evaluate the impact of Rural Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) after the innovative software, Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs), were placed on transit vehicles in the rural community of Poinciana, Florida. The equipment was part of a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Operational Test awarded to the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX) and Polk County Transit System (PCTS).
• Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) Before/After Cost Effectiveness Study (March 2011) - This research report provides a narrative of that process, discusses issues particular to the Muni Metro system, and undertakes both a quantitative cost-benefit analysis (CBA) and a qualitative analysis of the project. It also analyzes two cases: the CBTC project as implemented and an alternative case representing a continuation of the conventional fixed-block signaling system.

 

March 2011

• Transition of Bus Transit to Hydrogen: A Case Study of a Medium Sized Transit Agency (December 2010) - This report addresses infrastructure needs to support the transition of a medium sized transit agency to operation using hydrogen fuel, using the Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) as a case study. Specifically, requirements for hydrogen bus fleets, production, storage, refueling and maintenance facilities, and facility personnel are addressed as well as the transition strategy for implementing the technology and associated costs are addressed.

 

February 2011

• Automated Parking Information System Operational Test Evaluation Report (December 2010) - This report presents the evaluation of commuter responses to the Automated Parking Information System at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Glenmont parking facility and the Maryland State Highway Administration’s Park-and-Ride Lot on Norbeck Road, in Montgomery County, MD. The report also describes the results of the before-and-after parking utilization study at both parking locations.
• Miami UPA Phase 1 Transit Evaluation Report (January 2011) - Evaluation of the Miami Urban Partnership Agreement (UPA) Phase 1 improvements on transit. Miami is one of the United States Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) UPA sites. Phase 1 involved the conversion of a single high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane in both directions to two high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes, employing dynamic pricing, in both directions on Interstate 95 between downtown Miami and Golden Glades Interchange, along with additional 95 Express Bus service, and Travel Demand Management (TDM) and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) enhancements. The report discusses the impacts of Phase 1 improvements on transit performance, ridership, mode shift to transit, and congestion mitigation.

 

January 2011

• Transit Greenhouse Gas Management Compendium (January 2011) - This Compendium provide up-to-date information to transit operators, as well as regional transportation planners and decision–makers, on the sort of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions being reported, and on the sources of information available for making informed decisions about specific GHG reduction actions. The Compendium provides a framework for identifying greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction opportunities, highlighting specific examples of effective GHG reduction practices.

October 2010

• Biodiesel Mass Transit Demonstration Final Report (October2010) - This report evaluates the extended in-use performance of biodiesel (a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% ultra low sulfur diesel) in an independent engine test and two separate field demonstrations, specifically: a 1,000 hour engine durability test conducted by Southwest Research Institute (SWRI); an over-the-road field test with the St. Louis Metro Bus Transit System; and an over-the-road field test with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority.

 

September 2010

• International Public Transportation Program Program Strategic Plan (September 2010) - This document provides a description of the International Public Transportation Program (IPTP) roles and goals for 2011.
• Accessing the Global Marketplace (September 2010) – This document serves a resource guide to the transit industry interested in public transportation international markets.

 

August 2010

• 2009 Annual Research Report (July 2010) - This report highlights the significant achievements for the Office of Research, Demonstration and Innovation for FY 2009.
• Monterey-Salinas Transit ITS Augmentation Project: Final Phase III Report (December 2009) - This report presents the findings from Phase II and Phase III of the Evaluation of the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Augmentation Project that was implemented at the Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) in Monterey, California. The goal of the evaluation was to determine the impacts of ITS technologies in functions such as operations, scheduling, service planning, and maintenance, and to gather and document any lessons learned by the MST.
• Using Data from an Electronic Fare Collection System to Identify the Travel Behavior of Seniors and People with Disabilities (August 2010) - This research was designed to help transit agencies efficiently use data collected at the farebox and generate information that can be used to improve services for seniors and people with disabilities. The research was sponsored by the Federal Transit Administration and Florida International University, Lehman Center for Transportation Research, Miami, FL.

 

July 2010

• RTC ITS Evaluation Report (May 2010) - This report documents the evaluation of the procurement, implementation, and operation of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in Washoe County, Nevada. The purpose of the report is to provide insight and lessons learned to other agencies considering the development of transit ITS to improve system efficiency, customer service, and safety.

 

June 2010

• Regional Rail Onboard Electronic Payment Project (September 2009) - This report presents the findings of The Regional Rail On-board Electronic Payment Project, an investigation by SEPTA and Temple University that tested the feasibility of conducting electronic fare payment on commuter rail service using a system of hand held devices that communicate with contactless smart cards.
• Fuel Cells for Transportation Applications (February 2009) - This report presents the findings of a team of scientists from Northern Illinois University working to improve Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Some work on solid-oxide fuel cell cathodes is also presented.
• Development of Air Sterilization System for Chemical and Biological Agents (May 2010) - A new air sterilization system was developed and shown to be effective at inactivation of bacterial spores. In the future such systems may be useful for bus and rail vehicle decontamination. The system’s capability to provide effective sterilization and removal of volatile organic compounds, it’s ability to operate 24/7 as part of existing air/gas supply systems without raising temperature of the gas flow or requirements for replacement parts make the system well suited for deployment in bus and rail vehicles for decontamination purposes.

 

May 2010

• Hurricane Evacuation Planning for Special Needs Populations - The report focuses on lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina for special needs populations, those unable to be evacuated from an emergency by themselves. Better coordination methods need to be established between emergency management agencies and institutions, i.e., homeless shelters and nursing homes, to develop evacuation plans and interagency agreements. The study developed a method for assessing the vulnerability of special needs populations and estimating the demand for public assistance during the threat of hurricanes.
• Advanced Technologies for Transportation Research Program at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (2009). This report documents the results of technology development and deployment activities that included recommissioning and upgrading a unique Advanced Vehicle Test Facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee; completing a comprehensive campus transit plan; deploying a dynamic message sign system for bus riders in conjunction with the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority; developing, testing and demonstrating a data acquisition system for dynamic measurement of battery power consumption by electric-drive buses; providing technical assistance on electric-drive buses and energy storage systems for a wide range of organizations; and disseminating research results at conferences, seminars and symposia and the World Electric Vehicle Journal.

 

April 2010

• Transit Operations Decision Support System (TODSS) Core Requirements Prototype Development Case Study And Lessons Learned - This report summarizes the TODSS Core Requirements Prototype development and provides lessons learned from the implementation and operation of the system. Specifically, it highlights and discusses Pace's transit service and operating environment, the final TODSS prototype concept of operations, the system's architecture, issues encountered during the prototype development and implementation, the TODSS core requirements evaluation and update recommendations, and the operating experience from the time of implementation.

 

March 2010

• Evaluation of Ultra-Clean Fischer-Tropsch Diesel Fuel in Transit Bus Applications - This study reports on one particular FTA-sponsored, Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) diesel fuel evaluation program, and it incorporates related findings of other research projects conducted by ICRC/VSE. The type of F-T fuel evaluated can be produced form a variety of US domestic energy resources other than petroleum. The overall technical priorities of these F-T fuel evaluations have been to: 1) Determine whether or not operational problems are likely to occur with F-T diesel fuel over the full spectrum of transit-relevant conditions; 2) Compare directly the fuel consumption of F-T and conventional diesel fuels under well controlled but still realistic on-road conditions in the more severe (than typical transit service) region of the spectrum of heavy-duty, diesel-engine service and 3) Compare the potential environmental impacts, in terms of both engine exhaust emissions and fuel biodegradability, of F-T and conventional diesel fuels under transit-relevant conditions.
• Transit Operations Decision Support System (TODSS) Core Requirements Evaluation and Update Recommendations Report - This report documents the evaluation of the Transit Operations Decision Support System (TODSS) demonstration project with respect to the core requirements and impacts of TODSS, and includes recommended changes and lessons learned for the transit industry to better understand the TODSS core requirements for future implementations.
• Attracting Senior Drivers to Public Transportation: Issues and Concerns - This research was sponsored by the Federal Transit Administration and Florida International University, Lehman Center for Transportation Research, Miami, FL. The report was written to help transit agencies attract senior drivers to fixed route transit and identifies opportunities and challenges faced by senior s and transportation providers related to the utilization and provision of public transportation services. The research attempts to address ways to attract senior drivers to services other than paratransit. Although paratransit fulfills an important need of the elderly and people with disabilities, it is an expensive service, and occasionally abused by individuals who are able to access fixed route transit.
• Optimization Models for Prioritizing Bus Stop Facility Investments for Riders with Disabilities - This research was sponsored by the Federal Transit Administration with Florida International university, Lehman Center for Transportation Research, Miami, Florida, to develop a scientific method to help prioritize bus stops for accessibility improvements for riders with disabilities. Two optimization models were proposed and evaluated. Based on a case study using data from the Broward County Transit in Florida, the models were found to produce a list of bus stops what would extend the greatest benefits to riders with disabilities. This report details the process of identifying the bus stop accessibility requirements identifying the factors affecting accessibility, preparing the required data for model input, formulating the optimization models and evaluating the model performance. It is hoped that the proposed approach provides a more objective method of allocating the often limited resources for bus stop improvements.

 

January 2010

• Miami Urban Partnership Agreement (UPA) Project Phase 1A – Transit Evaluation Report - Evaluation of the transit elements of Phase 1A of the Miami UPA project. Miami is one of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT)’s Urban Partnership Agreement (UPA) program sites. The project involved replacing the existing High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes with ‘95 Express Lanes’ which are based on the High Occupancy Toll (HOT) concept, supported by transit, Travel Demand Management (TDM), and Intelligent Transportation Systems enhancements. Report discusses the impacts of Phase 1A improvements on transit performance, mode shift to transit, and congestion mitigation. Phase 1A was implemented in December 2008 providing new ’95 Express Lanes’ on the northbound direction of I-95 between downtown Miami and Golden Glades Interchange.

 

November 2009

• Collision Safety Improvements for Light Rail Vehicles Operating in Shared Right of Way Street Environments - Study to investigate the potential for reducing injuries to automobile occupants struck by LRVs with the addition of appropriate front-end structures.
• Remote Infrared Audible Signage (RIAS) Pilot Program - Report of evaluation findings on the Remote Infrared Audible Signage (RIAS) Pilot Program in the Puget Sound Region of Washington State. RIAS is an orientation and mobility technology designed to eliminate barriers to accessibility for people who are visually impaired or are cognitively or developmentally disabled.

 

October 2009

• The EmX Franklin Corridor BRT Project Evaluation - Project evaluation of the EmX Franklin Corridor BRT, a Bus Rapid Transit project funded by the Federal Transit Administration in the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area in Oregon.
• Electronic Fare Collection Options for Commuter Railroads - Research discusses technical and institutional issues and “lessons learned” related to the implementation of automated fare collection systems on commuter railroads in the United States.
• East Tennessee Hydrogen Initiative (Chattanooga) - This research has led to the design and implementation of a system for generating, compressing, storing and dispensing hydrogen in sufficient quantities to support testing of hydrogen fueled transit vehicles. This report provides background information on alternative fuels and compares various methods for producing hydrogen including nuclear energy, coal gasification, electrolysis and natural gas reformation.
• A Transit Methodology Using Six Sigma For Heavy Rail Vehicle Maintenance Programs - Research developing a methodology for determining how substantial public resources should be invested so that rail transit operations can be improved relative to capital and operating efficiencies. The research used a proven methodology tool (Six Sigma) for increasing productivity.

 

September 2009

• Construction Project Management Handbook (2009 Update) A comprehensive introduction to construction project management for transit agencies new to the process.

 

July 2009

• Washington State Ferries Wireless Connection High-Speed Data Project - Report on a project to study the feasibility of providing technologies capable of very high data transmission rates for wireless networks in a mobile marine environment

 

June 2009

• Demonstration of Enhanced Human Service Transportation Models: Phase 1 - System Development and Design: The Purchase Area Regional Travel Management Coordination Center (TMCC) - Provides a comprehensive review of the policy, operational, and technical design and development of the Purchase Area Transportation Management Coordination Center (TMCC) for western Kentucky.
• Demonstration of Enhanced Transportation Models: Phase I – System Development and Design (Atlanta, Georgia) - Review of the system development and design work conducted to support a Transportation Management Coordination Center (TMCC) for Human Service Transportation (HST) in the Atlanta region.
• UWR/MSAA Demonstration of Coordinated Human Service Transportation Models: Phase 1 - System Development and Design M-ITS: Mart's Integrated Traveler Services (Massachusetts) - Results of a sixteen month project for system development and design of a model for a Travel Management Coordination Center (TMCC) utilizing ITS capabilities for Montachusett Regional Transit Authority in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
• Model Orlando Regionally Efficient Travel Management Coordination Center (MORE-TMCC) Final Report - Presents a detailed review of the fifteen month process of designing a travel management coordination center in Orlando, Florida.
• United We Ride/Mobility Services for All Americans Joint Demonstration (South Carolina) - Presents a detailed review of the process of designing a travel management coordination center in the Lower Savannah Region (Aiken), South Carolina.
• Operational Test for the Implementation of Advanced Technologies in Rural Transit Service (Final Report)
• Profiles of 511 Traveler Information Services (2009) - Profiles from 2009 of the nation's 511 traveler information services program.

 

May 2009

• Low-Speed Urban Maglev Research Program - Lessons Learned (2009) - Lessons learned from the Low-Speed Urban Magnetic Levitation (UML) Program to develop magnetic levitation technology that offers a cost effective, reliable, and environmentally sound transit option for urban mass transportation in the United States.
• Feasibility Study on the Use of Personal GPS Devices in Paratransit - Study on the use of GPS devices in provision of paratransit service.
• Characteristics of Bus Rapid Transit for Decision-Making (2009) - Comprehensive guide to BRT components and performance, and an update of the 2004 document.

 

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Safety and Emergency Preparedness

• Assessing the Business Case for Integrated Collision Avoidance Systems on Transit Buses
• Civil Rights and Emergency Preparedness
• Collision Safety Improvements for Light Rail Vehicles Operating in Shared Right of Way Street Environments - Study to investigate the potential for reducing injuries to automobile occupants struck by LRVs with the addition of appropriate front-end structures.
• Development of Air Sterilization System for Chemical and Biological Agents (May 2010) - A new air sterilization system was developed and shown to be effective at inactivation of bacterial spores. In the future such systems may be useful for bus and rail vehicle decontamination. The system’s capability to provide effective sterilization and removal of volatile organic compounds, it’s ability to operate 24/7 as part of existing air/gas supply systems without raising temperature of the gas flow or requirements for replacement parts make the system well suited for deployment in bus and rail vehicles for decontamination purposes.
• Disaster Response and Recovery Resource for Transit Agencies Documented practices and procedures to improve emergency preparedness.
• Mass Transit Crashworthiness Statistical Data Analysis Federal Transit Administration-funded National Institute for Aviation Research research project to improve the crashworthiness of mass transit buses.
• Transit Safety Research at Florida A&M University - Presents the results of research building capacity in transit safety. Selected topics were areas of interest to FTA from among Florida A&M University faculty.

Sustainable Transit: Environment/Energy/Alternative Fuels

• A Report on Worldwide Hydrogen Bus Demonstrations, 2002-2007
• Advanced Vehicle Emission Reduction Sensor Program (FED-SAVER)
• Advanced Technologies for Transportation Research Program at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (2009). Results of activities including dynamic measurement of battery power consumption; recommissioning a vehicle test facility; deploying a dynamic message sign system for bus riders; and providing technical assistance for a wide range of organizations.
• Analysis of Electric Drive Technologies for Transit Applications: Battery-Electric, Hybrid-Electric and Fuel Cells The state of electric drive technology for transit buses, the benefits of major market penetration, the barriers to achieving this goal.
• Alternative Fuels Study: A Report to Congress on Policy Options for Increasing the Use of Alternative Fuels in Transit Vehicles Study, under SAFETEA-LU, about how to increase the use of alternative fuels in public transportation vehicles.
• Biodiesel Fuel Management Best Practices for Transit Benefits and challenges to the transit industry of using biodiesel.
• Biodiesel Mass Transit Demonstration Final Report (October2010) - This report evaluates the extended in-use performance of biodiesel (a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% ultra low sulfur diesel) in an independent engine test and two separate field demonstrations, specifically: a 1,000 hour engine durability test conducted by Southwest Research Institute (SWRI); an over-the-road field test with the St. Louis Metro Bus Transit System; and an over-the-road field test with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority.
• Demonstration of Fischer-Tropsch Diesel Fuel in Cold Climates The potential use of ultra-clean Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) synthetic diesel fuel in cold-climate transit applications.
• Desert Research Institute Air Quality Final Report Southern Nevada Air Quality Study
• East Tennessee Hydrogen Initiative (Chattanooga) - This research has led to the design and implementation of a system for generating, compressing, storing and dispensing hydrogen in sufficient quantities to support testing of hydrogen fueled transit vehicles. This report provides background information on alternative fuels and compares various methods for producing hydrogen including nuclear energy, coal gasification, electrolysis and natural gas reformation.
• Environmental Benefits of Alternative Fuels and Advanced Technology in Transit
• Fuel Cells for Transportation Applications (February 2009) - This report presents the findings of a team of scientists from Northern Illinois University working to improve Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Some work on solid-oxide fuel cell cathodes is also presented.
• Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Transit Bus Evaluations: A Joint Evaluation Plan of the U.S. Department of Energy and the Federal Transit Administration
• Transit Bus Life Cycle Cost and Year 2007 Emissions Estimation
• Transit Bus Life Cycle Cost Scenarios Based on Year 2008 and Future Fuel Prices
• Transit Greenhouse Gas Management Compendium (January 2011) - This Compendium provide up-to-date information to transit operators, as well as regional transportation planners and decision–makers, on the sort of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions being reported, and on the sources of information available for making informed decisions about specific GHG reduction actions. The Compendium provides a framework for identifying greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction opportunities, highlighting specific examples of effective GHG reduction practices.
• Transition of Bus Transit to Hydrogen: A Case Study of a Medium Sized Transit Agency (December 2010) - This report addresses infrastructure needs to support the transition of a medium sized transit agency to operation using hydrogen fuel, using the Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) as a case study. Specifically, requirements for hydrogen bus fleets, production, storage, refueling and maintenance facilities, and facility personnel are addressed as well as the transition strategy for implementing the technology and associated costs are addressed.
• Useful Life of Transit Buses and Vans - Study detailing the useful operational life of transit vehicles.

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

• 2006 DOT ITS/Operations Resource Guide A comprehensive listing of over 400 documents, websites, training courses, software tools, and points of contact related to ITS.
• FTA Report 0002 - Miami Urban Partnership Evaluation Report Agreement (UPA) Pines Boulevard Transit Signal Priority (September 2011) - This report summarizes the findings of TSP data collection on Pines/Hollywood Blvd. from December 2010 to February 2011. The data showed an average time savings of 4 minutes in the AM peak period due to TSP, which amounted to a 12 percent reduction in travel times.
• FTA Transit Intelligent Transportation System Architecture Consistency Review – 2010 Update (June 2011). The report provides an assessment on the level of compliance among the FTA grantees with the National ITS Architecture Policy, specifically (1) examining the use and maintenance of Regional ITS Architecture by transit agencies to plan, predict, and guidance their ITS deployment within their regions; (2) the use of the systems engineering process; and (3) the use and implementation of US DOT-supported ITS standards.
• Regional Rail Onboard Electronic Payment Project (September 2009) - This report presents the findings of The Regional Rail On-board Electronic Payment Project, an investigation by SEPTA and Temple University that tested the feasibility of conducting electronic fare payment on commuter rail service using a system of hand held devices that communicate with contactless smart cards.
• RTC ITS Evaluation Report (May 2010) - This report documents the evaluation of the procurement, implementation, and operation of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in Washoe County, Nevada. The purpose of the report is to provide insight and lessons learned to other agencies considering the development of transit ITS to improve system efficiency, customer service, and safety.

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) - Advanced Public Transportation Systems

• Automated Parking Information System Operational Test Evaluation for WMATA Glenmont Parking Facility - Report on evaluation of commuter responses to the Automated Parking Information System (APIS) at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Glenmont parking facility and the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) Park-and-Ride Lot on Norbeck Road, in Montgomery County, Maryland.
• ITS Applications for Coordinating and Improving Human Services Transportation: ITS technologies to improve transportation for older adults, people with disabilities, and people with lower incomes.
• APTS State-of-the-Art Report 2006 Up-to-date information on the current deployment status of transit ITS technologies, lessons learned from deployment experiences, what the future holds for Advanced Public Transportation Systems (APTS).
• Evaluation of the South Lake Tahoe Coordinated Transit System (CTS) Project Evaluation of combined public/private transit services into one centrally dispatched operation using ITS technologies to improve efficiency and create a more user-friendly transit system.
• Feasibility Study on the Use of Personal GPS Devices in Paratransit
• FTA Report 0006 - Evolution of Intelligent Transportation Systems for Mobility Management and Coordination Serving California’s Rural Frontier (Jauary 2012). This report documents the evolution, development, and lessons learned while attempting to identify, modify, and deploy Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) and advanced technology tools to facilitate coordination of public transit and social (human) service transportation and mobility management in a “one stop shop” located in Modoc County (northeast), California.
• LYNX/PCTS Rural ITS Implementation and Evaluation Study (December 2010) - This report summarizes the efforts to implement and evaluate the impact of Rural Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) after the innovative software, Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs), were placed on transit vehicles in the rural community of Poinciana, Florida. The equipment was part of a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Operational Test awarded to the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX) and Polk County Transit System (PCTS).
• Monterey-Salinas Transit ITS Augmentation Project: Final Phase III Report (December 2009) - This report presents the findings from Phase II and Phase III of the Evaluation of the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Augmentation Project that was implemented at the Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) in Monterey, California. The goal of the evaluation was to determine the impacts of ITS technologies in functions such as operations, scheduling, service planning, and maintenance, and to gather and document any lessons learned by the MST.
• Oregon Regional Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Integration Program Final Close-out Report: Transit Buses as Traffic Probes
• Oregon Regional Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Integration Program Final Phase III Report: I-5/Barbur Boulevard Parallel Corridor
• Oregon Regional Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Integration Program Final Phase III Report: Transit Tracker Information Displays
• Montachusett Area Regional Transit Authority (MART) Automatic Vehicle Location and Mobile Data Terminal (AVL/MDT) Pilot Program Report Project overview, challenges and lessons learned for implementation of ITS technologies at the Montachusett Area Regional Transit Authority.
• NVTC SmarTrip Roll-Out Report Northern Virginia Transportation Commission's SmarTrip Regional Farebox Procurement project.
• Transit Operations Decision Support System (TODSS) Core Requirements Evaluation and Update Recommendations Report - This report documents the evaluation of the Transit Operations Decision Support System (TODSS) demonstration project with respect to the core requirements and impacts of TODSS, and includes recommended changes and lessons learned for the transit industry to better understand the TODSS core requirements for future implementations.
• Transit Operations Decision Support System (TODSS) Core Requirements Prototype Development Case Study And Lessons Learned - This report summarizes the TODSS Core Requirements Prototype development and provides lessons learned from the implementation and operation of the system. Specifically, it highlights and discusses Pace's transit service and operating environment, the final TODSS prototype concept of operations, the system's architecture, issues encountered during the prototype development and implementation, the TODSS core requirements evaluation and update recommendations, and the operating experience from the time of implementation.
• Washington State Ferries Wireless Connection Project Final Report Describes continuous high speed internet access on Washington State Ferry
• Washington State Ferries: Evaluation Results, Wireless Connection Project Project design evaluation.
• Independent Verification and Validation of Washington State Ferries' Wireless High Speed Data Project
• Evaluation of South Carolina’s Virtual Transit Enterprise Shared web-based technology helping transit providers and South Carolina DOT solve mutual problems

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) - Integrated Corridor Management

• Best Practices for Using Geographic Data in Transit: A Location Referencing Guidebook "Best practices" in planning, implementing and using geographic data in transit.
• ITS in My State - A USDOT site with information on benefits, costs, lessons learned, and deployment statistics on ITS in that State
• Transit Signal Priority Research Tools - This report presents the results of a research project that addresses Transit Signal Priority (TSP) deployment issues. The report reviews National Transportation Communications for ITS Protocol (NTCIP) 1211 Signal Control and Prioritization (SCP) standards, defines five SCP scenarios, describes how the SCP scenarios can be applied differently based on TSP priority and operating policies, and discusses other TSP topics.
• Transit Signal Priority: A Planning and Implementation Handbook A guide book for traffic engineers and transit planners about Transit Signal Priority (TSP) implementation.
• Evaluation of Transit Applications of Advanced Parking Management Systems
• Oregon Regional Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Integration Program - Final Phase II Report
• Oregon Regional Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Integration Program - California Oregon Advanced Transportation System (COATS) Bi-State Rural Integration Program Phase III Evaluation

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) - Mobility Services for All Americans

• Demonstration of Enhanced Human Service Transportation Models: Phase 1 - System Development and Design: The Purchase Area Regional Travel Management Coordination Center (TMCC) - Provides a comprehensive review of the policy, operational, and technical design and development of the Purchase Area Transportation Management Coordination Center (TMCC) for western Kentucky.
• Demonstration of Enhanced Transportation Models: Phase I – System Development and Design (Atlanta, Georgia) - Review of the system development and design work conducted to support a Transportation Management Coordination Center (TMCC) for Human Service Transportation (HST) in the Atlanta region.
• Model Orlando Regionally Efficient Travel Management Coordination Center (MORE-TMCC) Final Report - Presents a detailed review of the fifteen month process of designing a travel management coordination center in Orlando, Florida
• Remote Infrared Audible Signage (RIAS) Pilot Program - Report of evaluation findings on the Remote Infrared Audible Signage (RIAS) Pilot Program in the Puget Sound Region of Washington State. RIAS is an orientation and mobility technology designed to eliminate barriers to accessibility for people who are visually impaired or are cognitively or developmentally disabled.
• United We Ride/Mobility Services for All Americans Joint Demonstration (South Carolina) - Presents a detailed review of the process of designing a travel management coordination center in the Lower Savannah Region (Aiken), South Carolina.
• Using Data from an Electronic Fare Collection System to Identify the Travel Behavior of Seniors and People with Disabilities (August 2010) - This research was designed to help transit agencies efficiently use data collected at the farebox and generate information that can be used to improve services for seniors and people with disabilities. The research was sponsored by the Federal Transit Administration and Florida International University, Lehman Center for Transportation Research, Miami, FL.
• UWR/MSAA Demonstration of Coordinated Human Service Transportation Models: Phase 1 - System Development and Design M-ITS: Mart's Integrated Traveler Services (Massachusetts) - Results of a sixteen month project for system development and design of a model for a Travel Management Coordination Center (TMCC) utilizing ITS capabilities for Montachusett Regional Transit Authority in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.

Traveler Information

• 2006 National 511 Progress Report Highlights the status and direction of the nation’s 511 program.
• Bus Signage for Persons with Visual Impairments A Best Practices Paper addressing the ADA specifications for destination signs with LED displays.
• Customer Preferences for Transit ATIS Advanced Traveler Information Systems communicate information to travelers and help transit operators better manage the public transportation system.
• Oregon Statewide Transit Trip Planning Evaluation Plan
• Profiles of 511 Traveler Information Services (2007)
• Profiles of 511 Traveler Information Services (2008)
• Profiles of 511 Traveler Information Services (2009)
• Real-Time Bus Arrival Information Systems-Return on Investment Study Real-time Bus Arrival Information Systems facilitate transit usage through both perceived and actual reductions in passenger waiting time

Vehicle Automation for Safety

• Assessing the Business Case for Integrated Collision Avoidance Systems on Transit Buses
• Integrated Collision Warning System: Final Technical Report Technical developments that integrate the advanced frontal and side collision warning systems into a unified collision warning system.
• Integrated Collision Warning System: Interface Control Document Defines the architecture of the Integrated Collision Warning System (ICWS) and interface among components.
• Development of Requirement Specifications for Transit Frontal Collision Warning System -defines a system specification for how ITS technologies can be used to help avoid frontal collisions.
• Side Object Detection Systems Evaluation : Final Evaluation Report - Report on the results of an independent evaluation of a Side Object Detection System (SODS) for transit buses. The FTA worked with an evaluator and three transit agencies that use the system to address three key goals: 1) to assess operator usability and acceptance of SODS, 2) to assess the return on investment (ROI) of SODS, and 3) to identify lessons learned and other information that would be useful to agencies considering deployment of SODS or similar technologies in the future.

Bus and Paratransit Systems

• A Report on Worldwide Hydrogen Bus Demonstrations, 2002-2007
• An Evaluation of the Market for Small-to-Medium-Sized Cutaway Buses
• Attracting Senior Drivers to Public Transportation: Issues and Concerns - This research was sponsored by the Federal Transit Administration and Florida International University, Lehman Center for Transportation Research, Miami, FL. The report was written to help transit agencies attract senior drivers to fixed route transit and identifies opportunities and challenges faced by senior s and transportation providers related to the utilization and provision of public transportation services. The research attempts to address ways to attract senior drivers to services other than paratransit. Although paratransit fulfills an important need of the elderly and people with disabilities, it is an expensive service, and occasionally abused by individuals who are able to access fixed route transit.
• The EmX Franklin Corridor BRT Project Evaluation - Project evaluation of the EmX Franklin Corridor BRT, a Bus Rapid Transit project funded by the Federal Transit Administration in the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area in Oregon.
• Evaluation of Ultra-Clean Fischer-Tropsch Diesel Fuel in Transit Bus Applications - This study reports on one particular FTA-sponsored, Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) diesel fuel evaluation program, and it incorporates related findings of other research projects conducted by ICRC/VSE.
• Feasibility Study on the Use of Personal GPS Devices in Paratransit
• Mass Transit Crashworthiness Statistical Data Analysis Federal Transit Administration-funded National Institute for Aviation Research research project to improve the crashworthiness of mass transit buses.
• Nonrail Vehicle Viability Study Final Report Explores the viability of the U.S. bus manufacturing industry and its ability to meet the demand for fixed-route transit buses.
• Optimization Models for Prioritizing Bus Stop Facility Investments for Riders with Disabilities - This research was sponsored by the Federal Transit Administration with Florida International university, Lehman Center for Transportation Research, Miami, Florida, to develop a scientific method to help prioritize bus stops for accessibility improvements for riders with disabilities. Two optimization models were proposed and evaluated. Based on a case study using data from the Broward County Transit in Florida, the models were found to produce a list of bus stops what would extend the greatest benefits to riders with disabilities. This report details the process of identifying the bus stop accessibility requirements identifying the factors affecting accessibility, preparing the required data for model input, formulating the optimization models and evaluating the model performance. It is hoped that the proposed approach provides a more objective method of allocating the often limited resources for bus stop improvements.
• Transit Bus Life Cycle Cost and Year 2007 Emissions Estimation
• Transit Bus Life Cycle Cost Scenarios Based on Year 2008 and Future Fuel Prices
• Useful Life of Transit Buses and Vans - Study detailing the useful operational life of transit vehicles.

Bus Rapid Transit

• 2008 Bus Rapid Transit Vehicle Demand & Systems Analysis Update
• BRT Network Planning Study - Final Report - Advanced Network Planning for Bus Rapid Transit The “Quickway” Model as a Modal Alternative to “Light Rail Lite”
• Bus Rapid Transit and the American Community
• Bus Rapid Transit Developments in China, April 2006 - Report of National Bus Rapid Transit Institute's 2006 mission to China to better understand the urban transportation problems and solutions.
• Bus Rapid Transit Vehicle Characteristics - Vehicle issues related to BRT.
• Bus Rapid Transit: A Handbook for Partners - Improve state, regional, local communications to implement BRT
• Bus Rapid Transit: Report on South American BRT Field Visits - Tracking the Evolution of the TransMilenio Model
• The Characteristics of Accessible Bus Rapid Transit - Examines Bus Rapid Transit and highlights major elements that affect accessibility.
• Characteristics of Bus Rapid Transit for Decision-Making (2004) - Comprehensive guide to BRT components and performance
• Characteristics of Bus Rapid Transit for Decision-Making (2009) - Comprehensive guide to BRT components and performance, and an update of the 2004 document.
• FTA report 0004 - Metro Orange Line BRT Project Evaluation (October 2011). This report contains a comprehensive overview of the Orange Line, including a historical narrative; a profile of project elements, project costs, issues in planning, design, and implementation; technology applications; and a “lessons learned” summary.
• The EmX Franklin Corridor BRT Project Evaluation - Project evaluation of the EmX Franklin Corridor BRT, a Bus Rapid Transit project funded by the Federal Transit Administration in the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area in Oregon.
• Las Vegas MAX Evaluation Second evaluation of the Las Vegas MAX BRT project to determine the full effects of its implementation as the system matured.
• Miami UPA Phase 1 Transit Evaluation Report (January 2011) - Evaluation of the Miami Urban Partnership Agreement (UPA) Phase 1 improvements on transit. Miami is one of the United States Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) UPA sites. Phase 1 involved the conversion of a single high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane in both directions to two high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes, employing dynamic pricing, in both directions on Interstate 95 between downtown Miami and Golden Glades Interchange, along with additional 95 Express Bus service, and Travel Demand Management (TDM) and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) enhancements. The report discusses the impacts of Phase 1 improvements on transit performance, ridership, mode shift to transit, and congestion mitigation.
• Miami Urban Partnership Agreement (UPA) Project Phase 1A – Transit Evaluation Report - Evaluation of the transit elements of Phase 1A of the Miami UPA project. Miami is one of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT)’s Urban Partnership Agreement (UPA) program sites. The project involved replacing the existing High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes with ‘95 Express Lanes’ which are based on the High Occupancy Toll (HOT) concept, supported by transit, Travel Demand Management (TDM), and Intelligent Transportation Systems enhancements. Report discusses the impacts of Phase 1A improvements on transit performance, mode shift to transit, and congestion mitigation. Phase 1A was implemented in December 2008 providing new ’95 Express Lanes’ on the northbound direction of I-95 between downtown Miami and Golden Glades Interchange.
• Pittsburgh West Busway BRT Evaluation - April 2003 Evaluation of one of FTA's BRT demonstration projects, Pittsburgh, PA's West Busway.

Rural and Other Forms of Transportation

• National Evaluation Of The New Mexico Client Referral, Ridership, And Financial Tracking (CRRAFT) System: Final Evaluation Report
• Operational Test for the Implementation of Advanced Technologies in Rural Transit Service (Final Report)
• Rural ITS Guidebook: Technology in Rural Transit - Linking People With Their Community
• Rich Passage Passenger Only Ferry Study: Phase 1 High-speed water transportation between Bremerton and Seattle in Washington State
• Washington State Ferries Wireless Connection High-Speed Data Project - Report on a project to study the feasibility of providing technologies capable of very high data transmission rates for wireless networks in a mobile marine environment

Rail Transit Vehicles and Systems

• Analysis of Capital Cost Elements and Their Effect on Operating Costs Analysis of light rail transit capital cost increase.
• Collision Safety Improvements for Light Rail Vehicles Operating in Shared Right of Way Street Environments - Study to investigate the potential for reducing injuries to automobile occupants struck by LRVs with the addition of appropriate front-end structures.
• Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) Before/After Cost Effectiveness Study (March 2011) - This research report provides a narrative of that process, discusses issues particular to the Muni Metro system, and undertakes both a quantitative cost-benefit analysis (CBA) and a qualitative analysis of the project. It also analyzes two cases: the CBTC project as implemented and an alternative case representing a continuation of the conventional fixed-block signaling system.
• Electronic Fare Collection Options for Commuter Railroads - Research discusses technical and institutional issues and “lessons learned” related to the implementation of automated fare collection systems on commuter railroads in the United States.
• Sharing of Track by Transit and Freight Railroads: Liability and Insurance Issues
• SharpRAIL: Evaluation of Mobile WiMAX and Intelligent Video for Enhanced Rail Transit Safety

Facilities and Infrastructures

• Low Cost Carbon Fiber Technology Development for Carbon Fiber Composite Application: Phase I Final Report

Maglev

• General Atomics Low Speed Maglev Technology Development Program Report on the construction of a 120-meter long test track at General Atomics in San Diego, California
• Low-Speed Urban Maglev Research Program - Lessons Learned (2009)

Management, Maintenance, and Operations

• Construction Project Management Handbook (2009 Update) A comprehensive introduction to construction project management for transit agencies new to the process.
• Electronic Fare Collection Options for Commuter Railroads - Research discusses technical and institutional issues and “lessons learned” related to the implementation of automated fare collection systems on commuter railroads in the United States.
• Great Cities Transportation Initiative Urban university collaborative focusing on new technologies in urban transit
• A Transit Methodology Using Six Sigma For Heavy Rail Vehicle Maintenance Programs - Research developing a methodology for determining how substantial public resources should be invested so that rail transit operations can be improved relative to capital and operating efficiencies. The research used a proven methodology tool (Six Sigma) for increasing productivity.

Professional Capacity Building

• Individualized Marketing Demonstration Program A pilot program to test the effects of individualized marketing on public transportation ridership trends.
• 2006 DOT ITS/Operations Resource Guide A comprehensive listing of over 400 documents, websites, training courses, software tools, and points of contact related to ITS.

International

• Applicability of Bogota's Transmilenio BRT System to the United States
• Bus Rapid Transit: Report on South American BRT Field Visits - Tracking the Evolution of the TransMilenio Model

Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP)
The Transit Cooperative Research Program is a cooperative effort of FTA, the Transportation Research Board, the Transit Development Corporation, and the American Public Transportation Association. The program’s research covers topics relating to all aspects of public transportation, including planning, service configuration, equipment, facilities, operations, human resources, maintenance, policy, and administrative practices.

TCRPOnline.org contains all TCRP reports published by the Transit Cooperative Research Program. Reports still in print are available for download; printed copies may be ordered free of charge.

Evaluation of Ultra-Clean Fischer-Tropsch Diesel Fuel in Transit Bus Applications - This study reports on one particular FTA-sponsored, Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) diesel fuel evaluation program, and it incorporates related findings of other research projects conducted by ICRC/VSE. The type of F-T fuel evaluated can be produced form a variety of US domestic energy resources other than petroleum. The overall technical priorities of these F-T fuel evaluations have been to: 1) Determine whether or not operational problems are likely to occur with F-T diesel fuel over the full spectrum of transit-relevant conditions; 2) Compare directly the fuel consumption of F-T and conventional diesel fuels under well controlled but still realistic on-road conditions in the more severe (than typical transit service) region of the spectrum of heavy-duty, diesel-engine service and 3) Compare the potential environmental impacts, in terms of both engine exhaust emissions and fuel biodegradability, of F-T and conventional diesel fuels under transit-relevant conditions.