The Use of GIS in Restructuring San Diego’s Transit System

From 2004 to 2006, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) conducted a Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) to evaluate and restructure its services to more effectively serve the region’s transit needs within the constraints of funding limits. It was the first comprehensive evaluation of public transportation in the central and southern parts of San Diego since the early 1980s. The COA resulted in changes to roughly 90 percent of the bus services and is expected to save $9 million in annual operating subsidies through improved operational efficiencies and increased ridership.

A key factor in determining where transit services should be located is the underlying demographics. Consequently, for this project it was important to have a strong understanding of the key demographic indicators for high transit ridership, such as population and employment densities and the distribution of transit-dependent riders.

Following the demographic assessment was an analysis of the existing regional travel patterns. This allowed MTS to see the important origin-destination pairs, as well as the forecasted demand.

A final plan was developed and presented to the Board of Directors. The use of GIS enabled MTS to demonstrate the pros and cons of the plan to the Board. The map on the right shows boardings at existing transit stops overlaid on a quarter-mile buffer of proposed stops. This helped demonstrate that few existing passengers would be left without service in the proposed plan.

The plan was approved, and the changes were implemented between June 2006 and March 2007.

Courtesy of San Diego Metropolitan Transit System and Transportation Management & Design, Inc.