Smartphone: A Source for Transit Service Planning and Management Using Wifi Sensor Data

Abstract

Complete information on passenger activity in a transit system is important for transit planning, demand management and service improvement. In big cities that have mass transit systems, monitoring and dynamically estimating passenger activity is thus critical to optimizing resource allocation while meeting passenger demand. Transit agencies deploy various systems to collect passenger activity data. Despite these systems, transit agencies often struggle to collect complete passenger activity information. These systems offer limited data, are expensive and require extensive capital investments. Rapid technological advancements in WiFi technology and big data processing have made it possible to provide more comprehensive, cost-effective and sustainable data collection tools in public transportation. Increasing smartphone penetration makes it possible for WiFi sensors installed at transit facilities to gather an accurate representation of passengers’ activity. Transit stations, stops and/or vehicles can be equipped with WiFi sensors that continuously track transit passengers within a sensor’s sensing region. Passengers can be identified through unique smartphone IDs along with other information like timestamps, Received Signal Strength Indicators (RSSI) and geo coordinates. This paper demonstrates the potential for transit agencies to use WiFi sensing technology to effectively collect passenger activity data at a reduced cost compared to current methods. Strategies and challenges in generating passenger activity related statistics are presented. Key performance indicators (KPIs) that can be used to guide the planning and management of transit services are also described. Finally, the WiFi sensors pilot project, being conducted by Calgary Transit, at LRT stations is described.