‘How do I move more people?’ : As Nashville aims for major transit funding, data efforts are already happening to improve trips

Written by Cynthia Abrams

Nashville is gearing up to revamp its transit system through a public referendum scheduled for this November. Ahead of this, several initiatives are already being undertaken to improve WeGo’s efficiency. Abhishek Dubey, a renowned academician from Vanderbilt University, is spearheading one such effort – aiming to make Tennessee’s transit agencies more cost-effective, energy-efficient and people-friendly.

Moving towards efficiency

Spurred by the nightmarish traffic in his previous hometown, New Delhi, Dubey is striving to prevent such a scenario in Nashville. In New Delhi, traveling a paltry five miles could easily take up to two hours due to the clogged roads.

Keen to prevent such an eventuality in Nashville Dubey kickstarted the ‘Mobility For All’ initiative in partnership with WeGo and CARTA, Chattanooga’s transit agency. Utilizing millions of data points, the researchers developed algorithms to overcome the challenges faced by these agencies. Incorporating the lessons learned during the pandemic, Dubey has created a system that allows riders to see the number of occupants on a bus and is now developing another to ensure a more even distribution of buses along roads.

The power of data

According to Dubey, the objective behind these algorithms is to prevent buses from arriving at stops simultaneously (“bunching”) or appearing late (“gapping”). Both these scenarios are problematic as they are inconvenient for the rider and inefficient for the agency. Addressing these irregularities, the algorithm ensures a smoother bus schedule. The challenge, as Dubey points out, lies in keeping pace with the rapidly changing demographics of this dynamically evolving city.

In Chattanooga, the team was able to utilize data to dictate which type of bus should be used under different conditions. This is possible because Chattanooga operates a mixed bus fleet inclusive of electric, hybrid, and diesel buses.

Through data analysis, the initiative could provide valuable insights to CARTA on which buses to deploy under various circumstances. For example, an electric bus with its efficient braking system is ideal for downtown, while a diesel bus is more suitable in colder weather. A hybrid bus scores when driving uphill, whereas an electric bus becomes the most aerodynamic option in windy conditions.

Applying these insights, the initiative generated an optimal schedule that resulted in decreased fuel consumption and lower greenhouse emissions. Through the efficient use of a fleet of 100 buses across 70 trips, it showed that around $150,000 could be saved using this new schedule.

Encouraging public transit

Dubey points out that since roads are a finite resource, ideally more people should be moved together in a unit vehicle. However, in Nashville, residents are inclined to use their cars. Consequently, the transition to public transit is two-fold – residents need to adapt, and the transit system needs to be designed to fit the city’s layout. “Nashville is so big that I don’t think one single strategy works. They will have to do different strategies in different places.” Dubey says.

Beyond Nashville, Dubey believes that these challenges are common to the entire Southern region and plans to extend the program further. Talks are already on with Memphis and Knoxville’s transit agencies to realise this broader vision.