Public Transit Systems and Planning

Urban Planning and Development October 25, 2025
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Introduction

This course focuses exclusively on the design, operation, and management of public transportation systems. It examines the role of transit in shaping urban form, promoting equity, and reducing environmental impact. Participants will explore practical aspects of route planning, scheduling, service delivery, and performance measurement. A core component is understanding the financial, political, and technical challenges involved in running efficient and effective public transit that serves diverse community needs.

Objectives

The primary objective of this course is to provide a deep, practical understanding of public transit systems. Upon completion, participants will be able to:

Target Audience

  • Public Transit Planners and Analysts
  • Transit Operations Managers
  • Municipal Staff involved in urban mobility
  • Urban Planners focusing on TOD
  • Transportation Engineers
  • Elected Officials and Board Members of Transit Agencies
  • Consultants specializing in transit ridership forecasting

Methodology

  • Case Studies of major transit system extensions and their impact
  • Hands-on Exercises in simplified route planning and scheduling
  • Group Activities: Developing a scenario-based service change proposal
  • Discussions on the equity implications of fare policy and service cuts
  • Individual Exercises: Analyzing a transit agency's financial and ridership report
  • Site visits (virtual or physical) to a transit operations center

Personal Impact

  • Acquire specialized expertise in transit operations and service design
  • Enhance analytical skills for measuring and improving transit performance
  • Develop a better understanding of transit finance and funding challenges
  • Improve ability to integrate transit planning with land use and development
  • Gain proficiency in using data and technology for service optimization
  • Be prepared to manage complex public-facing operational issues

Organizational Impact

  • Increase the efficiency and reliability of public transit service
  • Improve ridership and customer satisfaction through better planning
  • Optimize capital and operating expenditures for maximum community benefit
  • Facilitate the development of high-density, mixed-use transit corridors
  • Enhance the organization's ability to secure competitive grant funding
  • Promote sustainable urban mobility and reduce traffic congestion

Course Outline

Unit 1: The Role and History of Public Transit

Transit in the Urban Context
  • Historical development of streetcars, buses, and rail systems
  • The societal and economic benefits of robust public transit
  • The role of transit in promoting social equity and access to opportunity
  • The relationship between transit network structure and land use patterns
  • Comparing transit systems across global cities (e.g., fixed rail vs. bus systems)
Governance and Finance
  • Organizational structures of transit agencies (e.g., authority, department)
  • Sources of capital and operating funding (fares, taxes, subsidies)
  • Principles of efficient and equitable fare structure design
  • Understanding the political context of service planning and resource allocation
  • Performance-based budgeting and capital improvement planning

Unit 2: Service Planning and Operations

Route and Network Design
  • Analyzing service area, population density, and trip generators
  • Principles of effective transit network geometry (grid, radial, hub-and-spoke)
  • Designing for connectivity, coverage, and directness of service
  • Evaluating stop placement and access for all users
  • Demand analysis, ridership forecasting, and service adjustment strategies
Scheduling and Operations
  • Developing effective driver shifts, vehicle assignments, and timetables
  • The importance of schedule adherence and on-time performance measurement
  • Managing operational challenges: breakdowns, detours, and severe weather
  • Maintenance planning for fleet management and infrastructure upkeep
  • Safety and security protocols for passengers and employees

Unit 3: Transit Modes and Infrastructure

Bus and Paratransit Systems
  • Design and operation of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and exclusive lanes
  • Planning for bus priority at intersections and signal optimization
  • Fundamentals of paratransit and ADA service compliance
  • Vehicle technology: electric buses, hybrid fleets, and fueling infrastructure
Rail and High-Capacity Systems
  • Planning principles for Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Commuter Rail
  • Station area planning and multi-modal integration (bike parking, kiss-and-ride)
  • Track, signal, and power system requirements and maintenance
  • The challenges of extending and upgrading existing rail infrastructure

Unit 4: Performance Measurement and Technology

Metrics and Evaluation
  • Key performance indicators (KPIs): ridership, productivity, cost-effectiveness
  • Service quality metrics: reliability, comfort, and security
  • Conducting surveys and focus groups for customer satisfaction assessment
  • Benchmarking performance against peer agencies
Technology Integration
  • Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) and real-time passenger information systems
  • Electronic fare collection, mobile ticketing, and payment integration
  • Data analytics for service optimization and predictive maintenance
  • Planning for the integration of autonomous transit vehicles (if applicable)

Unit 5: Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)

Integration Strategies
  • The principles and benefits of high-density, mixed-use development around transit
  • Policy and regulatory tools for fostering TOD (e.g., zoning, subsidies)
  • Financing strategies for TOD projects and infrastructure costs
  • Case studies of successful and challenging TOD implementation

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