An Integration of Network Data Model and Linear Reference System for Transit Planning

There has been much research over the past decade on aspects of the Transit Information System, which is an important component of the Advanced Public Transit System (APTS). Studies suggest the necessity of building a network data model. Usually this entails transit routes forming the transit network data model through the use of geographic information systems (GIS). However, little attention has been paid to transit data issues inherent in Chinese Urban Areas. Research has emphasized the key demand in building a transit network data model using GIS on the basis of analyzing transit management problems of Shanghai, which is one of the most developed transit metropolises in China. To this end, we propose a series of conceptual models, logical data models and physical data models which take into account network analysis and linear reference systems explicitly. As such, functions like inquiring, analyzing and editing transit system data are realized by using GIS. The study results suggest that the integration of network analysis and a linear reference system is complementary in building the transit network data model which is a critical support for transit planning.