Methodology for evaluating out-of-direction bus route segments.

Out-of-direction (OOD) travel is a deviation from the main line of a fixed-route bus service. Deviations can help improve accessibility to potential riders along the OOD segment, but they can also lead to loss of through riders because of increased travel time. This is especially true of discretionary riders, for whom travel time is important in the decision to use transit. The issue is how to objectively evaluate the trade-off between increased accessibility and impact on through riders. The San Diego Metropolitan Transit Development Board contracted with Crain and Associates to develop a formal methodology for evaluating OOD segments. The development of the methodology is discussed, and examples of how it works are provided.