The Transportation Research Board recently released these new Transit Cooperative Research Program reports.

Synthesis 104-Use of Electronic Passenger Information Signage in Transit documents U.S. and international use of electronic passenger information signage in terms of the underlying technology, sign technology, characteristics of the information, resources required, and decision processes used to determine its use.

Synthesis 105-Use of Market Research Panels in Transit describes types of market research panels, identifies issues to be aware of when engaging in market research and panel surveys, and provides examples of successful market research panel programs. It also provides information about common pitfalls to be avoided and successful techniques that may help maximize research dollars without jeopardizing the quality of the data or validity of the results.

Legal Research Digest 43-Contractual Means of Achieving High-Level Performance in Transit Contracts explores the use by public transit agencies of performance-based provisions in their contracts and identifies legal and other restrictions on an agency’s use of incentives or liquidated damages in its contracts. The printed version of the report includes a CD-ROM that contains Appendix C: Index to Performance-based Clauses and Standards.

Synthesis 106-Energy Savings Strategies for Transit Agencies reports on energy reduction strategies being used in the U.S. and Canada that address vehicle technologies; vehicle operations, maintenance, and service design; non-revenue vehicles; stations and stops; building; indirect energy use; and renewable power generation.

These reports are available here.