Beyond the route: Introducing granular MTA bus speed data
The MTA has launched a dataset detailing bus speeds across its network, using GPS data to analyze travel times, with updates monthly to aid transit planning and address congestion issues.
Read original articleThe MTA has introduced a new dataset that provides detailed information on bus speeds across its network, which includes over 4,900 buses operating on 327 routes in New York City. This initiative aims to enhance public understanding of bus travel times, which are often affected by various urban challenges such as traffic congestion, double-parked vehicles, and road closures. The dataset, available on the NYS Open Data portal, utilizes GPS data to calculate speeds between major bus stops, referred to as "timepoints." Analysis of the data reveals that bus speeds tend to be fastest during overnight hours and slowest during peak commuting times, particularly in congested areas like Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn. The MTA encourages users to explore this data to identify slow corridors and improve transit planning. The dataset will be updated monthly, allowing for ongoing analysis and insights into the performance of the bus network.
- MTA has launched a dataset detailing bus speeds across its network.
- The dataset uses GPS data to calculate speeds between major bus stops.
- Bus speeds are generally faster overnight and slower during peak hours.
- The MTA aims to use this data to improve transit planning and address congestion.
- The dataset will be updated monthly and is available on the NYS Open Data portal.
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They never actually tore up most of these lines; the city just paved over them. You can see them poking through the pavement whenever the city redoes the roads.
[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_streetcar_lines_in_Bro...
What a great dataset and effort to allow for further research into areas of the city that could benefit from anti-congestion measures (cough cough car tax) to improve bus services!
Also - where does one even store 4,900 buses in NYC? I guess most of the fleet is out on the streets all day, but I imagine servicing all of those is quite the feat.
This is the youtube link: https://youtube.com/watch?v=MsHGqVuIK5g
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