Accuracy of Automatic Passenger Counting in Open Mass Transit Systems: Insights from Italy

Abstract

Background Accurate knowledge of passenger volumes is critical for enhancing public transportation, particularly in Open (without barriers) Mass Transit (OMT) systems where traditional counting methods may be inadequate. Automatic Passenger Counting (APC) systems offer a reliable solution, yet their performance in OMT remains underexplored. Additionally, a lack of a comprehensive framework for evaluating APC accuracy has limited a full understanding of their effectiveness. Objective This study proposes an integrated framework to evaluate the accuracy of APC systems in OMT. The practical effectiveness of this framework is demonstrated through a real-world case study conducted on the Brescia Metro (Italy), showcasing how user-friendly outputs can highlight potential areas for improving the efficient management of APC systems. Methods The framework is divided into two blocks. Block 1 selects representative stations and collects passenger data through manual counts and APC systems. Pre-processing ensures the synchronisation of both data sources. Block 2 analyses APC performance at aggregated and disaggregated levels. The aggregated analysis uses several error metrics to assess overall accuracy, with confidence intervals identifying potential systematic errors. The disaggregated analysis examines station-specific performance. Results The Brescia Metro’s APC system demonstrated high reliability, with slight overestimations for both entering (+0.52%) and exiting (+1.41%). Errors were classified as random, indicating no need for corrective coefficients. Station-specific analyses revealed that simpler layouts and lower passenger volumes yielded higher accuracy. The performance metrics showed consistency with literature findings but highlighted unique error patterns influenced by open environments. Conclusions This study offers practical insights for transportation authorities (TAs), public transport companies (PTCs), and APC producers. It encourages TAs and PTCs to optimise service using real-time passenger flow data from APC. It also advises producers to customise APC systems for stations with complex layouts or higher passenger density. Future research should enhance APC accuracy using advanced analytical methods, integrate emerging technologies such as Wi-Fi and cellular tracking, include more complex case studies, and address data security concerns.

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