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Abstract

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have provided a platform to present information over the Internet to potential users of public transportation. The advantage of using a GIS is that it allows the user to select an origin and destination on a map, easing the task of inputting information to the itinerary-planning process. In addition, the mapping features of GIS can provide a user-specific map showing the route(s) used in the itinerary, as well as local access, egress, and bus stop information. In this article, the design issues associated with the use of GIS in itinerary generation are discussed. Specific design principles are articulated, based on existing knowledge of requirements for the human-computer interface (HCI). In application of these principles, this article describes the implementation of an ArcIMS GIS-based itinerary planner for the Sun Tran bus network in Tucson, Arizona. This system provides users the option of selecting their origin or destination on the map, manually entering an address, or selecting a landmark from a pull-down menu. The routing algorithm then finds the optimum path, and the output is presented to the user both in text and on the map. This is unique from other itinerary planners because it provides an interactive point-and-click map feature that can be implemented using commercially available GIS software.

DOI

http://doi.org/10.5038/2375-0901.9.2.3

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