Human Factors in a Bus Route Monitoring System

by Frank Markowitz, Maryland Mass Transit, Administration, Baltimore, MD, USA,
Harvey Zelefsky, Maryland Mass Transit, Administration, Baltimore, MD, USA,
Steven Blume, Maryland Mass Transit, Administration, Baltimore, MD, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Microcomputer Applications in Transportation II

Abstract:

In 1984 the Maryland Mass Transit Administration began a systemwide route monitoring effort. Data collection was accomplished principally by on-board checkers using laptop Epson microcomputers recording boardings, alightings, and schedule adherence. Throughout the project, staff found that careful attention to man-machine interaction was critical in testing computer systems, screening and training data collection personnel, and conducting data editing and analysis. This paper considers: how testing can incorporate realistic simulations of actual data collection processing activity; the kinds of experience and attitudes that are helpful for data collection personnel using microcomputers; the aspects of a screening test for data collection personnel (checkers); in screening and editing ridership data, how much reliance on human judgment is advisable; and the kinds of skills and staffing levels needed for processing computerized ridership data.

Subject Headings: Data collection | Information management | Human and behavioral factors | Ridership | Information systems | Data analysis | Systems management

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