GTFS2STN: Analyzing GTFS Transit Data by Generating Spatiotemporal Transit Network

TL;DR

GTFS2STN is a new tool that converts static transit data into dynamic spatiotemporal networks, enabling detailed accessibility analysis and travel time variability assessments for transit planning.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method and web-based application for transforming GTFS data into spatiotemporal networks, enhancing transit analysis capabilities.

Findings

GTFS2STN produces results comparable to Mapnificent.

The tool allows analysis of historical and proposed transit feeds.

Enhanced flexibility for transit accessibility and variability studies.

Abstract

The General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) is an open standard format for recording transit information, utilized by thousands of transit agencies worldwide. This study introduces GTFS2STN, a novel tool that converts static GTFS transit networks into spatiotemporal networks, connecting bus stops across space and time. This transformation enables comprehensive analysis of transit system accessibility. Additionally, we present a web-based application version of the GTFS2STN tool that allows users to generate spatiotemporal networks online and perform basic analyses, including the creation of isochrone maps from a given origin and the calculation of travel time variability between origin-destination pairs over time. Comparative analysis demonstrates that GTFS2STN produces results similar to those of Mapnificent, an existing open-source tool for generating isochrone maps from GTFS inputs. Compared with Mapnificent, GTFS2STN offers enhanced flexibility for researchers and planners to evaluate transit plans, as it allows users to upload and analyze historical or suggested GTFS feeds from any transit agency. This feature facilitates the assessment of accessibility and travel time variability in transit networks over extended periods, making GTFS2STN a valuable tool for the planning and research for the transit systems.