The use of a computer to compile integrated public transport travel information would appear to be of benefit to public transport users and operators alike by providing the facilities for quicker, more accurate and consistent responses to public transport travel enquiries. In order to determine the practicability and costs of producing and disseminating this type of travel information, a field trial of a system using a mini-computer was mounted in some bus and rail travel enquiry offices and libraries in Wiltshire. Six new methods for disseminating travel information are described and an assessment of these methods is made. It is concluded that a method using microfiches is the most economical and effective at the present time. Estimates of the costs of software development, of creation and maintenance of the timetable database, and of production and dissemination of the travel information are given. It is shown that the overall cost of maintaining up-to-date computer-generated travel information at five outlets in each of three towns was approximately #1 per day per outlet (1980 prices), and that the rate would be less for larger systems. (Author/publisher)
Abstract