How crowded is the train? Optimal conditions for providing information on capacity utilization in public transport

Abstract

Crowding in public transportation (PT) is a major challenge that has both negative economic consequences for providers and negative psychological consequences for passengers. The increasing availability of precise information on capacity rates of PT brings the possibility of providing information on alternative, less crowded route options to passengers. In order to determine when, how and where the information on capacities needs to be displayed to be effective for planning a trip, an online study was administered. The goal of the study was to investigate the effects of socio demographic features of passengers and certain trip characteristics on the perceived usefulness of information on capacity utilization (CU) for passengers. Data was collected via an online questionnaire. Results (N = 204) show that trip purpose, service frequency and trip duration had a significant effect on the perceived usefulness of CU. Differences between people living in a metropole and people living in smaller cities could be observed. Strategies and requirements for providing capacity information effectively will be derived.