Combined Effect of Changes in Transit Service and Changes in Occupancy on Per-Passenger Energy Consumption

Many transit providers changed their schedules and route configurations during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing more frequent bus service on major routes curtailing other routes, to reduce risk of exposure. This research first assessed changes in Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) by reviewing pre-pandemic versus during-pandemic General Feed Specification (GTFS) files. Energy use per for a typical week was calculated pre-pandemic, during-closure, post-closure periods integrating GTFS data with MOVES-Matrix energy emission rates (MOVES signifying MOtor Vehicle Emission Simulator). MARTA automated passenger counter were appended passenger-mile compared across three periods. The results showed that coupled effect frequency shift ridership decrease from 2019 2020 increased route-level over 87% per-passenger-mile 98% routes. In 2021, although had largely returned conditions, remained an early stage recovery. Total decreased about levels, but per-passenger higher than 91% confirm while total is closely associated trip depends both ridership. also indicate need data-based planning, help avoid inefficiency over-provision or inadequate social distancing protection caused under-provision service.