Generating a Bus Route O‐D Matrix From on‐off Data

Abstract

The accuracy of route origin‐destination estimates generated from boarding‐alighting data was tested against actual origin‐destination data. The estimates of trip length distributions and origin‐destination matrices did not statistically differ from the actual data in tests of both simple and complex (branching) bus lines. While a note of caution was offered about applicability to extremely complex lines, the procedure is to be recommended as both an inexpensive and accurate method of estimating route O‐D matrices for existing lines. Limitations and applications of the method are examined.