With the TBEST scenario-based planning framework, users construct transit alternatives to support a variety of service and strategic planning tasks including out-year ridership forecasting, market analysis, mobility planning and network accessibility analysis. TBEST provides supporting functions for simple and complex tasks and analytical functions related to transit service development.
The TBEST Transit Planning Framework contains the following features:
- Scenario Alternatives – The core of the TBEST framework is the creation and management of transit system scenarios. Scenarios contain the data components required for TBEST modeling and market analysis including the transit network, socio-economic data and growth rates, land use data, fare structure and many additional attributes.
- Network Editing – The TBEST Transit Network Editor contains all elements for creating and managing route definitions including multiple patterns per route and segment and stop digitizing. The editor includes tools for defining vehicle trip times, travel times, stop amenities, special generators, transfer stations, and interlined routes.
- Title VI Support – TBEST contains tools for interactive Title VI reporting, Triennial Reporting, and Disparate Impact Analysis. The TBEST Market Analysis and Network Accessibility Analysis tools are also equipped to assist transit agencies in evaluating routes and stops for FTA Title VI compliance.
- Mobility Area Tools – TBEST provides tools which enable the user to define and save unique geographic markets or areas of interest within the system service area. Areas can be defined within TBEST either from interaction with the scenario map or relative to transit features including stops, route segments, and routes. TBEST provides the ability to interactively create market sheds including Transit Sheds, Drive Sheds, Bike Sheds and Walk Sheds. Defined Mobility Areas can then be used to select routes or stops, summarize route performance summarize ridership, update socio-economic data, summarize markets or be used in network accessibility market analysis.
- Service Evaluation – TBEST provides tools for detailed service evaluation and reporting. With TBEST, transit agencies can simulate new route performance, socio-economic conditions, cost and connection to other routes in the transit network.
- ArcGIS Integration – TBEST utilizes the ArcGIS Engine framework to develop, display and analyze spatial features. TBEST map components function similarly to ArcGIS components and all spatial data is stored in ArcGIS formats. Users are required to purchase an ArcGIS Basic (or greater) license to run TBEST. All TBEST map data can be exported to a variety of formats including File Geodatabase, Shapefiles, KMZ and Excel. GIS-based exports data can be directly opened in ArcMap with TBEST map symbols retained to support custom map development.
- Planning Workflow Support – The TBEST scenario development toolset inherently supports a variety of planning functions native to transit agencies including service development grant applications, operational analysis and many more…