A recent study conducted by Ohio State University found that public transportation in cities faces substantial disruptions during large events. The research, utilizing new technology, focused on the impact of major events, particularly Ohio State home football games in Columbus, on the reliability of bus services across the city.

 
The study, led by Luyu Liu, a PHD student at the university at the time of the study, was published in the Journal of Transport Geography and revealed that the disruptions extended beyond the immediate vicinity of a major public event. Harvey Miller, co-author and geography professor at Ohio State, emphasized, "if you're a bus rider, you didn't have to be anywhere near the stadium to be affected by the game."

Analyzing data from the Central Ohio Transit Authority, the researchers compared bus service on game days with days featuring away games and non-game days. The findings highlighted that the bus service was "significantly less reliable" for over seven hours on game days, impacting even those not traveling near the stadium.

Liu, now a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Florida, noted distinct disruptions before and after the games. Pre-game disruptions, though lasting longer, were less severe, while post-game impacts were shorter but more disruptive. The study found that bus service unreliability peaked at 8.7% before the game but surged to 24.5% after.

Ohio State University highlighted the broader applications of the study's measures, suggesting they could be employed to analyze disruptions beyond public transit, such as crashes, construction delays, or other major events. Professor Miller noted, "We now have the ability to look at what parts of a city's transportation system are most vulnerable to disruption." The research enables cities to proactively prepare for and manage disruptions to maintain efficient transportation systems.

https://aashtojournal.transportation.org/study-dissects-how-large-events-impact-transit-systems/