Evans – THE DESIGN AND APPLICATION OF THE STOP-SPECIFIC BUS MAP 2010

Description

This comprehensive doctoral thesis by Gareth David Evans (University of Glasgow, November 2010) presents a rigorous investigation into the “Design and Application of the Stop-Specific Bus Map” (SSBM). Spanning over 300 pages, the document addresses the critical issue of increasing car dependency and the need for improved public transport mapping. The author meticulously details the manual design of SSBMs based on an established specification, utilising GIS and graphics software, and provides numerous cartographic examples. A key strength lies in its real-world validation: extensive on-street field tests were conducted across four diverse UK cities (Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cambridge, and York) involving a substantial sample of 636 respondents. Through robust statistical analysis, the research demonstrates that SSBMs significantly outperform traditional public transport information in terms of journey planning accuracy, speed, and user confidence. The thesis concludes by advocating for the widespread adoption of SSBMs, highlighting their potential to foster increased bus patronage and inform future policy on geospatial public transport information dissemination.