Abstract
Integrated timed-transfer (ITT) systems are starting up in Switzerland, Austria, and many regions of Germany. They distinguish themselves from regular timed-transfer systems, in which vehicles arrive at and depart from a station at approximately the same time to minimize waiting times for passengers, by integrating the timed-transfer systems of individual metropolitan areas into one complete public transportation system for a region. Very little has been written about ITT in the English language literature, and the purpose here is to close the information gap. The advantages and disadvantages of an ITT system are illustrated by discussing a concrete example. Technical and economic aspects of ITT are discussed. Terms such as “symmetry time” and “optimal minimum headway” are defined. Early results of ITT systems in Europe are reported. The applicability of ITT to North America is demonstrated with the example of the San Jose–Oakland–Sacramento corridor. The public transportation system in this area is currently disjointed, and the introduction of ITT would increase the usability of public transit.
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