The Experts below are selected from a list of 159 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Janice Pepper - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Customer Perspectives on Multilevel Coaches for Increasing Rail System Capacity
Transportation Research Record, 2003Co-Authors: Janice Pepper, Gregory Spitz, Thomas AdlerAbstract:The numbers and lengths of New Jersey Transit (NJT) commuter trains accessing New York's Penn Station are currently at the limits of available capacity during peak periods, as evidenced by the significant number of standees at these times. NJT is planning to purchase multilevel coaches to address this critical passenger capacity issue. A study was conducted to determine the design of these multilevel coaches so that they will provide the extra capacity needed and also reflect customers' preferences. The study focused on interior issues, including the Seating Configuration and seat design, that relate directly to the amount of seated (and standee) capacity on the new coaches. A two-part research approach was used to obtain customer input. First, focus groups and product clinics were conducted to get qualitative feedback on the multilevel coach concepts and on specific seat designs. A detailed, computer-based survey was administered to customers to quantify their preferences among key elements of the multilevel concepts, and to estimate their willingness to pay for those elements. The study found that additional Seating capacity in the Configuration preferred by customers provides a substantial net benefit to NJT passengers, equivalent to about $2.20 fare value per trip. The benefits are higher for this application because of the crowded conditions on existing trains. The study also suggests that multilevel coaches and improved interior design have benefits well beyond increased capacity.
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Customers' Perspectives on Using Multilevel Coaches to Increase Rail System Capacity
2003Co-Authors: Janice Pepper, Gregory Spitz, Nj Transit, One Penn Plaza, Thomas AdlerAbstract:The numbers and lengths of NJ Transit commuter trains accessing New York's Penn Station are currently at the limits of available capacity during peak periods and there are significant numbers of standees during these periods. NJ Transit is planning to purchase multilevel coaches to address this critical passenger capacity issue. This paper describes the results of a study that was undertaken to determine how the multilevel coaches should be designed to both provide the needed additional system capacity and to reflect customers' preferences. The study focused on interior issues including Seating Configuration and seat design, which are directly related to the amount of seated (and standee) capacity that the coaches will provide. A two-part research approach was used to obtain customer input. First, focus groups and product clinics were conducted to get qualitative feedback on the multilevel coach concepts and on specific seat designs. A detailed computer-based survey was administered to the customers to quantify their preferences among key elements of the multilevel concepts and to estimate willingness-to-pay for those elements as a gauge of the strengths of those preferences. The study found that providing additional seated capacity in the Configuration preferred by customers provides a substantial net benefit to NJ Transit's passengers: equivalent to about $2.20 fare value per trip. The benefits are higher for this application because of the degree of crowding that currently exists on these trains, but the study suggests that multilevel coaches and improved interior design have benefits well beyond the capacity increase that they provide.
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NJ Transit’s Rail Coach Purchase: Letting the Customers Choose
Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 1997Co-Authors: Janice Pepper, Ana RayAbstract:NJ Transit was planning to purchase 95 new rail cars to be delivered in October 1996. These cars would replace 70 older cars that will be retired, thus adding 25 new cars to the existing fleet of 715 cars to accommodate expanded service. Before purchasing the new cars, NJ Transit conducted qualitative and quantitative research to test customer satisfaction with the interior features of a new proposed rail coach and to identify customers’ preferences regarding Seating Configuration. The first phase of the research consisted of four focus groups with NJ Transit employees and customers. Customers were asked to rate interior features of current coaches such as colors, doors, public address system, leg room, and Seating Configuration. Next, customers were asked to rate interior features of a new proposed coach on the basis of a pictorial design concept. The second phase entailed a quantitative research study. A questionnaire was designed to collect and analyze rail passengers’ Seating patterns, preferences, and input into the “3-2” or “2-2” Seating Configuration decision. The questionnaire was also designed to capture market segmentation of opinion and to compare current Seating behavior patterns with stated preferences and opinions. The results of the research were used to design a visually appealing, durable, and maintainable interior that incorporates customers’ preferences regarding colors, textures, and Seating Configurations for the 95 rail coaches that will go into revenue service in October 1996.
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NJ TRANSIT'S RAIL COACH PURCHASE: LETTING THE CUSTOMERS CHOOSE
Transportation Research Record, 1997Co-Authors: Janice Pepper, Ana RayAbstract:NJ Transit was planning to purchase 95 new rail cars to be delivered in October 1996. These cars would replace 70 older cars that will be retired, thus adding 25 new cars to the existing fleet of 715 cars to accommodate expanded service. Before purchasing the new cars, NJ Transit conducted qualitative and quantitative research to test customer satisfaction with the interior features of a new proposed rail coach and to identify customers' preferences regarding Seating Configuration. The first phase of the research consisted of four focus groups with NJ Transit employees and customers. Customers were asked to rate interior features of current coaches such as colors, doors, public address system, leg room, and Seating Configuration. Next, customers were asked to rate interior features of a new proposed coach on the basis of a pictorial design concept. The second phase entailed a quantitative research study. A questionnaire was designed to collect and analyze rail passengers' Seating patterns, preferences, an...
Thomas Adler - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Customer Perspectives on Multilevel Coaches for Increasing Rail System Capacity
Transportation Research Record, 2003Co-Authors: Janice Pepper, Gregory Spitz, Thomas AdlerAbstract:The numbers and lengths of New Jersey Transit (NJT) commuter trains accessing New York's Penn Station are currently at the limits of available capacity during peak periods, as evidenced by the significant number of standees at these times. NJT is planning to purchase multilevel coaches to address this critical passenger capacity issue. A study was conducted to determine the design of these multilevel coaches so that they will provide the extra capacity needed and also reflect customers' preferences. The study focused on interior issues, including the Seating Configuration and seat design, that relate directly to the amount of seated (and standee) capacity on the new coaches. A two-part research approach was used to obtain customer input. First, focus groups and product clinics were conducted to get qualitative feedback on the multilevel coach concepts and on specific seat designs. A detailed, computer-based survey was administered to customers to quantify their preferences among key elements of the multilevel concepts, and to estimate their willingness to pay for those elements. The study found that additional Seating capacity in the Configuration preferred by customers provides a substantial net benefit to NJT passengers, equivalent to about $2.20 fare value per trip. The benefits are higher for this application because of the crowded conditions on existing trains. The study also suggests that multilevel coaches and improved interior design have benefits well beyond increased capacity.
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Customers' Perspectives on Using Multilevel Coaches to Increase Rail System Capacity
2003Co-Authors: Janice Pepper, Gregory Spitz, Nj Transit, One Penn Plaza, Thomas AdlerAbstract:The numbers and lengths of NJ Transit commuter trains accessing New York's Penn Station are currently at the limits of available capacity during peak periods and there are significant numbers of standees during these periods. NJ Transit is planning to purchase multilevel coaches to address this critical passenger capacity issue. This paper describes the results of a study that was undertaken to determine how the multilevel coaches should be designed to both provide the needed additional system capacity and to reflect customers' preferences. The study focused on interior issues including Seating Configuration and seat design, which are directly related to the amount of seated (and standee) capacity that the coaches will provide. A two-part research approach was used to obtain customer input. First, focus groups and product clinics were conducted to get qualitative feedback on the multilevel coach concepts and on specific seat designs. A detailed computer-based survey was administered to the customers to quantify their preferences among key elements of the multilevel concepts and to estimate willingness-to-pay for those elements as a gauge of the strengths of those preferences. The study found that providing additional seated capacity in the Configuration preferred by customers provides a substantial net benefit to NJ Transit's passengers: equivalent to about $2.20 fare value per trip. The benefits are higher for this application because of the degree of crowding that currently exists on these trains, but the study suggests that multilevel coaches and improved interior design have benefits well beyond the capacity increase that they provide.
Ana Ray - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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NJ Transit’s Rail Coach Purchase: Letting the Customers Choose
Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 1997Co-Authors: Janice Pepper, Ana RayAbstract:NJ Transit was planning to purchase 95 new rail cars to be delivered in October 1996. These cars would replace 70 older cars that will be retired, thus adding 25 new cars to the existing fleet of 715 cars to accommodate expanded service. Before purchasing the new cars, NJ Transit conducted qualitative and quantitative research to test customer satisfaction with the interior features of a new proposed rail coach and to identify customers’ preferences regarding Seating Configuration. The first phase of the research consisted of four focus groups with NJ Transit employees and customers. Customers were asked to rate interior features of current coaches such as colors, doors, public address system, leg room, and Seating Configuration. Next, customers were asked to rate interior features of a new proposed coach on the basis of a pictorial design concept. The second phase entailed a quantitative research study. A questionnaire was designed to collect and analyze rail passengers’ Seating patterns, preferences, and input into the “3-2” or “2-2” Seating Configuration decision. The questionnaire was also designed to capture market segmentation of opinion and to compare current Seating behavior patterns with stated preferences and opinions. The results of the research were used to design a visually appealing, durable, and maintainable interior that incorporates customers’ preferences regarding colors, textures, and Seating Configurations for the 95 rail coaches that will go into revenue service in October 1996.
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NJ TRANSIT'S RAIL COACH PURCHASE: LETTING THE CUSTOMERS CHOOSE
Transportation Research Record, 1997Co-Authors: Janice Pepper, Ana RayAbstract:NJ Transit was planning to purchase 95 new rail cars to be delivered in October 1996. These cars would replace 70 older cars that will be retired, thus adding 25 new cars to the existing fleet of 715 cars to accommodate expanded service. Before purchasing the new cars, NJ Transit conducted qualitative and quantitative research to test customer satisfaction with the interior features of a new proposed rail coach and to identify customers' preferences regarding Seating Configuration. The first phase of the research consisted of four focus groups with NJ Transit employees and customers. Customers were asked to rate interior features of current coaches such as colors, doors, public address system, leg room, and Seating Configuration. Next, customers were asked to rate interior features of a new proposed coach on the basis of a pictorial design concept. The second phase entailed a quantitative research study. A questionnaire was designed to collect and analyze rail passengers' Seating patterns, preferences, an...
Gregory Spitz - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Customer Perspectives on Multilevel Coaches for Increasing Rail System Capacity
Transportation Research Record, 2003Co-Authors: Janice Pepper, Gregory Spitz, Thomas AdlerAbstract:The numbers and lengths of New Jersey Transit (NJT) commuter trains accessing New York's Penn Station are currently at the limits of available capacity during peak periods, as evidenced by the significant number of standees at these times. NJT is planning to purchase multilevel coaches to address this critical passenger capacity issue. A study was conducted to determine the design of these multilevel coaches so that they will provide the extra capacity needed and also reflect customers' preferences. The study focused on interior issues, including the Seating Configuration and seat design, that relate directly to the amount of seated (and standee) capacity on the new coaches. A two-part research approach was used to obtain customer input. First, focus groups and product clinics were conducted to get qualitative feedback on the multilevel coach concepts and on specific seat designs. A detailed, computer-based survey was administered to customers to quantify their preferences among key elements of the multilevel concepts, and to estimate their willingness to pay for those elements. The study found that additional Seating capacity in the Configuration preferred by customers provides a substantial net benefit to NJT passengers, equivalent to about $2.20 fare value per trip. The benefits are higher for this application because of the crowded conditions on existing trains. The study also suggests that multilevel coaches and improved interior design have benefits well beyond increased capacity.
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Customers' Perspectives on Using Multilevel Coaches to Increase Rail System Capacity
2003Co-Authors: Janice Pepper, Gregory Spitz, Nj Transit, One Penn Plaza, Thomas AdlerAbstract:The numbers and lengths of NJ Transit commuter trains accessing New York's Penn Station are currently at the limits of available capacity during peak periods and there are significant numbers of standees during these periods. NJ Transit is planning to purchase multilevel coaches to address this critical passenger capacity issue. This paper describes the results of a study that was undertaken to determine how the multilevel coaches should be designed to both provide the needed additional system capacity and to reflect customers' preferences. The study focused on interior issues including Seating Configuration and seat design, which are directly related to the amount of seated (and standee) capacity that the coaches will provide. A two-part research approach was used to obtain customer input. First, focus groups and product clinics were conducted to get qualitative feedback on the multilevel coach concepts and on specific seat designs. A detailed computer-based survey was administered to the customers to quantify their preferences among key elements of the multilevel concepts and to estimate willingness-to-pay for those elements as a gauge of the strengths of those preferences. The study found that providing additional seated capacity in the Configuration preferred by customers provides a substantial net benefit to NJ Transit's passengers: equivalent to about $2.20 fare value per trip. The benefits are higher for this application because of the degree of crowding that currently exists on these trains, but the study suggests that multilevel coaches and improved interior design have benefits well beyond the capacity increase that they provide.
Edward Steinfeld - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Self-reported difficulty and preferences of wheeled mobility device users for simulated low-floor bus boarding, interior circulation and disembarking.
Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology, 2017Co-Authors: Clive D'souza, Victor Paquet, James A. Lenker, Edward SteinfeldAbstract:AbstractBackground: Low ridership of public transit buses among wheeled mobility device users suggests the need to identify vehicle design conditions that are either particularly accommodating or challenging. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of low-floor bus interior Seating Configuration and passenger load on wheeled mobility device user-reported difficulty, overall acceptability and design preference.Methods: Forty-eight wheeled mobility users evaluated three interior design layouts at two levels of passenger load (high vs. low) after simulating boarding and disembarking tasks on a static full-scale low-floor bus mockup.Results: User self-reports of task difficulty, acceptability and design preference were analyzed across the different test conditions. Ramp ascent was the most difficult task for manual wheelchair users relative to other tasks. The most difficult tasks for users of power wheelchairs and scooters were related to interior circulation, including moving to the securem...
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Low-floor bus design preferences of walking aid users during simulated boarding and alighting
Work, 2012Co-Authors: Clive D'souza, Victor Paquet, James A. Lenker, Edward Steinfeld, Piyush BareriaAbstract:Low-floor buses represent a significant improvement in accessible public transit for passengers with limited mobility. However, there is still a need for research on the inclusive design of transit buses to identify specific low-floor bus design conditions that are either particularly accommodating or challenging for passengers with functional and mobility impairments. These include doorway locations, Seating Configuration and the large front wheel-well covers that collectively impact boarding, alighting and interior movement of passengers. Findings from a laboratory study using a static full-scale simulation of a lowfloor bus to evaluate the impact of Seating Configuration and crowding on interior movement and accessibility for individuals with and without walking aids are presented (n=41). Simulated bus journeys that included boarding, fare payment, Seating, and alighting were performed. Results from video observations and subjective assessments showed differences in boarding and alighting performance and users' perceptions of task difficulty. The need for assistive design features (e.g. handholds, stanchions), legroom and stowage space for walking aids was evident. These results demonstrate that specific design conditions in low-floor buses can significantly impact design preference among those who use walking aids. Consideration of ergonomics and inclusive design can therefore be used to improve the design of low-floor buses.
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Performance of Visually Impaired Users during Simulated Boarding and Alighting on Low-Floor Buses
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2012Co-Authors: Piyush Bareria, Clive D'souza, Victor Paquet, James A. Lenker, Edward SteinfeldAbstract:Low-floor buses with folding ramp access represent a significant improvement in accessible public transit for passengers with mobility disabilities. However, the safety and usability aspects of the interior design of low-floor buses on blind and visually impaired users has not been studied in much detail. A laboratory study was completed using a static full-scale simulation of a low-floor bus to evaluate the impact of Seating Configuration and crowding on interior movement and accessibility for individuals with (n=18)) and without visual impairments (n=17). The protocol simulated bus journeys including boarding, fare payment, Seating, and alighting. Results from video observations and subjective assessments showed differences in boarding and alighting performance and users’ perceptions of task difficulty across different bus layout designs The results suggest the need for more supportive design features (e.g. guide rails, handholds), legroom, and space for guide dogs too improve accommodation for passenge...