Bus Stop Inventories can take many forms from simple to very complex. The exact data kept depends on what the end user needs, or how they plan to use the data. BUS STOP AND LIGHT RAIL STATION INVENTORY DATABASE During the summer of 2000, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) used Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers and
software to collect the Latitude and Longitude coordinates, and perform an inventory of all bus stops and light rail stations served by VTA. A digital photograph (in jpeg format) was also taken of each
stop as part of the inventory. There are currently over 4,750 stops. The 4,750 plus photographs use over 735MB of memory. A Microsoft Access database (MS Access 97) program is used to store
the data. Currently the Text Data uses 7.5MB of memory. A Microsoft (MS) Access 97 database was created to store the data with a link to the digital photograph. Ridership numbers
(fall quarter 2000) and Jurisdiction information are included in the database. The pictures can be accessed through the database, or the appropriate file folder. The complete database is on two
CD's, but due to the size; picture files are divided between the two disks. This database has been migrated to Access2000. The picture file folders are based on the first two digits of the
bus stop number. For example; the picture of stop number 396732 (Santa Clara and First Street), is located in the folder named 37-39. Stop numbers that start with 00 (Light Rail Stations) through stop
number 428009 are on disk one. Stop numbers with the first two digits of 43 through stop number 772102 are on disk two. If the picture does not appear when you access it through the MS Access
database, It is most likely on the other disk. The MS Access database includes several tables and queries. Under queries, the "Jurisdiction_Ridership_Inventory_qry" combines the
jurisdiction, ridership, and inventory information. More detail about the tables and queries in the database is available under TABLES (page 3) or QUERIES (page 6) in this document. The
latitude and longitude coordinates allow the data to be used in Geographical Information System software (GIS). Exporting and importing the data may vary depending on the GIS program. Some of our
experience is included under the GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS heading (page 7). This data was collected for use by a new radio system that includes Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) for the
buses, light rail vehicles (LRV's), and non-revenue vehicles. The accuracy of the location is within one meter for most stops. The location was usually taken from a car parked at the bus
stop to reflect a point located one to two meters from the face of curb. Each picture has a date stamp to show when it was taken. Changes do happen, and pictures can become out of date. HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE USED FOR INVENTORY:
The following GPS Hardware was used:
Trimble Pro XR GPS receiver, with Car Kit for mounting antenna on vehicle.
Trimble TSC1 handheld device for data entry.
Atlanta Laser Range Finder, for use at stops where GPS readings cannot be taken due to surroundings, such as trees, overpass, buildings, etc. This
accounted for less than one percent of all the stops, but proved to be a valuable tool when necessary.
Kodak DC280 Digital Camera, with 64MB flash card for storing pictures. The digital cameras were set
at a medium resolution as a compromise between quality and hard drive space. The following software was used:
Trimble Pathfinder Software for creating and maintaining GPS data: Supports the
desktop computer, Pro XR Receiver, and TSC1 handheld unit. Is used for downloading and exporting the GPS data, as well as creating data dictionaries.
Microsoft Excel 97/2000: Used in compiling and translating data from one format to another.
Microsoft Access 97: Used to maintain the actual database.
ACDSee: Graphic image viewing software used to review and organize digital pictures.
Transcad: GIS software used to check data, as well as the base map to be used for the CAD/AVL system.
DISTRIBUTION:
The main method if distribution is by copying the data and pictures onto CDs. Due to size, the pictures are divided on two CD's. The complete MS Access database will be copied
onto both CD's. The user will have access to all the stop data, but will only be able to view pictures of the stops on the active CD. TRANSFERRING TO LOCAL COMPUTER OR NETWORK:
The
database can be transferred to a local computer or network for ease of use. The user must do this to create new queries. To transfer the inventory you need to copy all the files and directories
from the CD (or Jazz drive) to a directory on your local computer or network. The directory structure must stay intact to properly utilize the links to the pictures. If you are copying the files
from a CD, you may need to change the properties of the database file from read only. UP-DATES:
Changes occur frequently. Stops are moved, routes modified, new routes introduced,
and light rail is expanding. The database is updated weekly to keep up with these changes. Stops that have been deleted, relocated, or abandoned are moved into the Deleted Stop Table for
historical reference. The new stops are entered in the Inventory table. Distribution is proposed to take place on a semiannual basis. This Database contains GPS coordinates and stop
inventory information. It also contains tables that provide stop names, ridership, bus use, and jurisdiction data. The relationship between the tables is the Stop number. Every bus
stop has been assigned a unique number based on the VTA Bus Stop Map Book. This map book uses the Mount Diablo Base Meridian Grid Coordinate System for California and Nevada. Light Rail Stations
are assigned unique numbers. TABLES:
INVENTORY TABLE contains GPS data and attributes of each stop. The attributes include shelters, benches, trash containers, parking restrictions,
lighting, etc. Adjacent property information is available as well as a digital picture of each stop and light rail station. This table is based on the data dictionary that was developed for field
collection. To save time in the collection process the names of the stops were not entered as an attribute. The names are available in the picture fields of this table. The stop names are
also available in the other tables and queries of the database. The data dictionary is included at the end of this document. Inventory Table Definitions:
ID = Unique Number assigned to record during database development
Index = Number assigned during data collection by GPS software, (Not Unique)
Lat = Latitude coordinate of Stop
Long = Longitude coordinate of Stop
Feature = Bus Stop is a point type feature used in data collection. The inventory data consists of attributes of this feature. (It is in every record and can be
ignored for queries).
Route Number = Route used during data collection (Does not include all stops on a route or all routes serving stop).
Routes listed = All the routes serving a specific stop (Use this to Query specific routes).
Standard VTA Sign = Yes/No field verifying presence of standard VTA sign.
Other Agencies Signs = None,
SAMTRANS, AC TRANSIT, OTHERS are the available choices in this field.
Others Using Stop = Description of "Others" from previous field.
Adopt A Stop = Identifies if there is an Adopt a Stop sign present.
Information Sign = Schedule information at the stop.
Other Info Sign = Description of "Other" from previous field.
Tactile Signs = Braille signage.
Pole = Type of pole the bus stop sign is mounted on.
Other Pole = Describes "Other" from previous field.
Pole Location = Describes where pole is located (SW = Sidewalk).
Other Locations = Describes "Other" from previous field.
Shelter = Identifies whether there is a shelter and the type.
Other Shelter = Describes "Other" from previous field.
VTA Bench = Number of VTA benches at the stop.
Ad Bench = Number of advertising benches at the stop.
Private Benches = Number of privately owned benches at the stop.
Other Benches = Describes "Other" type of bench that is at the stop.
VTA Trash Container = Number of VTA trash containers at the stop.
TC with Shelter = Confirms "Metal Basket" type container is attached to shelter.
Other TC = Describes "Other" type of trash containers at the stop.
Ash Tray = Identifies if the stop has an ash tray (Usually at transit centers).
Parking Restrictions = Describes the type of parking restrictions at the stop.
Other Restrictions = Description of "Other" from previous field.
Boarding Pavement = Type of material at passenger boarding area.
Other Paving = Description of "Other" from previous field.
Concrete Sidewalk = Describes type of sidewalk at the stop.
Other Sidewalk = Description of "Other" from previous field.
AC Asphalt Paving = Describes AC paving if applicable.
Other AC = Description of "Other" from previous field.
No Improvements = Describes the area if there are no sidewalk improvements.
Bench Pad = Identifies if there is a paved area for a bench.
Shelter Pad = Identifies if there is a paved area for a shelter.
PCC Bus Pad = Identifies if there is a concrete pad for the bus to stop on.
Other pad Type = Describes "Other" from the previous field.
Telephone Near By = Identifies if there is phone near the stop.
News paper Racks = Identifies number of news racks at the stop.
News Rack Location = Identifies if the news rack is attached to VTA property.
Mail/Express boxes = Identifies if mail or express boxes are at the stop.
Adjacent Property = Type of property at the stop.
Other Property = Description of "Other" from previous field.
Residential = Describes type of housing at the stop if applicable.
Other Housing = Description of "Other" from previous field.
Commercial Property = Type of commercial property at the stop if applicable.
Other Commercial = Description of "Other" from previous field.
Government Property = Type of government use of the property if applicable.
Other Government = Description of "Other" from previous field.
School = Type of school if applicable.
Other School = Description of "Other" from previous field.
Sidewalk Width = Describes how wide the sidewalk is at the stop.
ADA Accessible = Identifies if the stop meets minimum ADA standards.
Curb Cuts = Identifies if there are wheel chair ramps near the stop.
Lighting Nearby = Identifies type of lighting at the stop (S.L. = street light).
Pavement Condition = Identifies the condition of the pavement where the bus stops.
Picture = Hyper Link to a digital photograph of the stop.
Comments = Additional information regarding stop.
Date visited = Date of data collection at the stop. This seems like a lot of data, but with practice it takes about 2-3 minutes to collect for each stop with the equipment described above.
JURISDICTION TABLE contains the stop number, name, street direction, jurisdiction, and the city it resides in. The jurisdiction can be different from the city, for example, if the stop is on private
property or a county expressway, the property owner or county will have jurisdiction, but the stop resides within city boundaries. Jurisdiction Table Definitions:
ID1 = Assigned by MS Access.
ID2 = Assigned by MS Access.
STOP = Stop Number (Use this to link relationship to other tables).
LINE = Route number (This does not show all the routes that a stop may serve).
STPNAM = The name of the stop or light rail station.
ONNAME = The street the stop is on.
ATNAME = The cross street, intersection, property, or other identifying feature.
ST_DIR = The direction of travel at the stop.
ST_LOC = Detail of stop location at intersection or identifying feature.
MAP_P# = Page number to locate stop in the VTA Bus Stop Map Book.
JURISD = The jurisdiction the stop resides under.
C_CITY = The city or county where the stop resides. |
