Case Study

Leicester Star Trak

Tools Involved

Passenger Information Systems;
Public Transport Priority.

Site Description

Star Trak is Leicester's Real Time Information system for buses. It was conceived in 1998 to deliver real time passenger information and to allow the monitoring of route and vehicle performance. In addition, modern Intelligent Transport System tools, such as intelligent signal priority for late running buses were installed.

Site Problems

Leicester, like many cities in the UK, suffers from congestion due to the number of commuters making their way into the centre every morning in their cars, followed by congestion in the pm peak as commuters make their way home again.

Scheme Description

The system was formally launched in November 2000 and now covers 22 routes with around 250 buses. Leicester received £1,650,000 funding from the Transport Direct programme towards the cost of scheme expansion.

Each bus is equipped with an on-vehicle unit, which consists of a Global Positioning System receiver and a radio unit. The vehicles radio back their position to a central database at set time intervals.

The central database can then track the positions of the buses in real-time and estimate the time of arrival at bus stops. This information is transmitted to the bus stops using the Private Mobile Radio (PMR) network. The stops then display the timings of the next buses.

At bus stops where there is no real time information display provided, users can SMS a short message from their mobile phones and receive the estimated time of arrival of the next buses. Users pay both to send and to receive the text message. Outgoing texts are charged at the standard rate (dependent on the users tariff). Incoming texts cost 25 pence per text (2004).

Users can also track the progress of buses on the Leicester Star Trak web site.

Buses additionally can receive priority at traffic signals when they are running late.

Scheme Objectives

The main aim of the tool is to encourage sustainable transport within Leicester city centre. The Star Trak system provides improvements in the quality of the bus services, which will promote a modal shift away from car commuters to bus use. This will decrease congestion and improve the environment in the city centre.

Improvements

Before and after surveys on the original scheme showed:

bus users perceive that buses operate more frequently;
bus users perceive that the buses are of a better quality;
bus users find the information to be accurate and useable; and
bus operators find an increase in passenger numbers.

In addition it is anticipated that the system will:

improve network integration;
reduce traffic congestion;
enhance the environment through modal shift; and
reduce the cost for local expansion and for other Local Authorities looking to implement similar schemes.

Integrated Systems

Real time information is available via the Real Time Information displays at stops and at interchanges. The information is also available via the web site and SMS.

Costs

Capital costs: approximately £3,397,000 over 4 years
Revenue costs: approximately £90,000 per year

Benefits

Benefits are shown in the table below.

Actual benefits reported
Impact Assessment	Environment	No direct impacts from introduction of Star Trak (impacts may result from associated bus corridor improvements).
	Accessibility	No benefits expected or reported.
	Safety	No direct impacts from introduction of Star Trak (although users do report improved feeling of personal security).
	Efficiency	Selected routes have recorded a 20% increase in patronage since the introduction of Star Trak. (these routes may have had infrastructure improvements and new vehicles).
	Integration	Star-Trak has enhanced the quality of information at interchange points, though no specific integration benefits were reported.
Technical Performance		No information reported.
User Acceptance		62% of users believed that bus services had increased in reliability (actual change was negligible). 53% believe the real time information has reduced waiting times at stops. 67% respondents said they are 'more prepared to wait for a bus with the Star Trak system'. 68% state that their wait is now more acceptable, while 26% said it made no difference. 80% of respondents felt Star Trak increased their sense of personal security when waiting for a bus after dark.

Leicester Star Trak benefits table

(source: Measured Impacts of Real-time Control and Information Systems for Bus Services - A Compilation of the Key Findings and Conclusions from Research Projects in Four Selected Urban Areas. Prepared for Transport Direct, Department for Transport by Peter Warman, Consultant to Centaur Consulting Limited, March 2003).

No attempt has been made to validate the results reported. Users of the guidance are encouraged to assess the robustness of the results presented and the likely transferability of the case study to their own local environment.

More Information

DfT Traffic Advisory Leaflet ITS 13/03 - Leicester -Star Trak Real Time Information System

Star Trak website - http://www.star-trak.co.uk