Simple procedure for creating digitized bus route information for intelligent transportation system applications

The development of procedures for creating bus route information is discussed as part of a Global Positioning System (GPS)-based bus inventory database in urban transit systems for intelligent transportation system applications. In the past, bus route information was usually entered into the database through geographic information system tools. Procedures involved in data entry were often very tedious. This study utilizes GPS technology to automate the process of generating data inventory for bus route information. An efficient algorithm was developed in this study for capturing the route information on the basis of a sequence of vehicle location data. ThE algorithm can be readily implemented with computer programs. The route information obtained from the algorithm is compared with the field bus trajectory data collected in Blacksburg, Virginia. In particular, comparison was made for different digitizing intervals and different bus routes. The results show that the route map created is sufficiently accurate for many applications. The route map information obtained from this study is particularly useful for the development of transit information systems to (a) predict arrival time of the next bus and (b) track schedule adherence of individual buses.