Author Description

"TRB's Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 2415 consists of 16 papers that explore effects of the economic crisis on users' perceptions of public transportation quality; bus drivers' occupational stress under changing working conditions; New York City subways' key performance indicators to improve service delivery and operations; and dynamic dispatch with advanced train control system data. Additionally, this issue examines route-level passengers' perceived transit service reliability; a benefit-cost evaluation method for transit stop removal; ways of improving energy efficiency of public bus services by using multiple vehicle types; and an automated, data-driven performance regime for operations management, planning, and control. This issue summarizes customer loyalty differences between captive and choice transit riders; a fare-free public transportation pricing policy plan in Tallinn, Estonia; changes in passenger perception following bus service improvements over time; and the role of transit service attributes in attracting commuters. Included in this edition are papers addressing accessibility of communication technology and the rider experience for the Saint Louis, Missouri Metro; appropriate fare levels for distance-based fare structure; the role of gender and attitudes on public transportation use; and the role of social media in communicating transit disruptions." -- Publisher's description