OneBusAway is a set of tools for improving the usability of public transit, in particular, tools for providing real-time arrival information for busses. The system is used by over 40,000 people per week in the Seattle area. Our research focusses on evaluating the effect on behavior of providing such tools, on improving the tools and adding new functionality, and on integrating them with mobility applications for blind and deaf-blind riders.
Our results so far show significant positive impacts on rider satisfaction, reduced wait time and stress around taking transit, a modest increase in the number of trips taken (especially discretionary trips), and even increased walking, which has health benefits.