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From page 130... ... 7-1 CHAPTER 7 ITS APPLICATIONS BRT service should be fast, reliable, and safe. Buses should run on time; their performance should be monitored, and schedule adjustments should be done quickly. Read the entire page →
From page 131... ... 7-2 Traffic Signal Priority Automated Passenger Counting Card Reader Silent Alarm Driver Information Display Advanced Wireless Communication Automatic Vehicle Location (SOURCE: Casey et al., 2000) Figure 7-1. Read the entire page →
From page 132... ... 7-1.1. Location Technology The choice of location technology depends greatly on the specific agency needs and where the system will be installed. Read the entire page →
From page 133... ... be relayed back to a central control location. When there are no signposts, buses use their odometers to measure the distance from the last signpost. Read the entire page →
From page 134... ... 7-2. PASSENGER INFORMATION SYSTEMS ITS can provide dynamic (real-time) Read the entire page →
From page 135... ... 7-6 (SOURCE: Casey et al., 2000) Figure 7-3. Read the entire page →
From page 136... ... 7-7 shows the passenger information provided on buses using the Val-de-Marne BRT in Paris. Read the entire page →
From page 137... ... TABLE 7-3 Advantages and disadvantages of various vehicle detection technologies Technology Suppliers Features Advantages Disadvantages Low Frequency RF (100–150 KHz) MFS; Detector Systems/LOOPCOM; Vapor VECOM through Vapor; Vapor VECOM through LSTS Uses inductive radio technology with transmitters on vehicles and other standard loop detectors or antennas embedded in the road; transmitter factory programmed or interfaced from onboard keypad Transmitters are inexpensive and are easily removed or replaced Message transmission may be hindered by accumulated dirt or snow on tag Radio Frequency @ 900–1000 MHz TOTE/AMTECH; AT/COMM Uses transmitter tags mounted on the side or vehicle top and antennas mounted roadside or overhead; historically used in toll collection, rail car, and containerized cargo ID; requires FCC registration Transmitters are inexpensive and are easily removed or replaced; can transmit much information Message transmission may be hindered by accumulated dirt or snow on tag Spread Spectrum Radio Automatic Eagle Signal/ Tracker System; Econcile/EMTRAC Sweeps narrow band signal over broad part of frequency spectrum; uses transmitter with directional antenna, and an electronic auto compass in each priority vehicle and receiver with omni-directional antenna at each intersection Can transmit much information Not as accurate in locating buses as other radio frequency technologies; can be affected by weather; may be more expensive Infrared Siemens/HPW infrared Uses signpost on the side of the road to pick up and read signals; most common AVI technology for European bus priority systems Well-proven in Europe Limited ability to provide precise vehicle information; limited amount can be transmitted from vehicle; requires line of sight Video Racal Communications video with ALPR software Video camera equipped with Advanced License Plate Recognition Software Requires line of sight Optical 3M/Opticom Uses light emitter attached to transit coach and different frequency than emergency vehicles which have high priority Potential advantages if intersections are already equipped with Opticom emergency preemption equipment Limited ability to provide precise vehicle information and transmit from vehicle; requires line of sight Vehicle Tracking IBM/Vista System; TDOA & FDOA Tracking Uses time difference of arrival and frequency difference of arrival to locate and track radio frequency transmissions from the vehicle's emitter Buildings may block signal; may not provide precise location information for signal priority treatment SOURCE: "Transit Priority Systems Study -- Summary Report,"1994. Read the entire page →
From page 138... ... a clear trend toward using GPS to perform the location function. This enables the bus priority systems to be integrated with the master urban traffic control systems. Read the entire page →
From page 139... ... bus, is accurate to within 1 minute, and is relayed to the respective stations using technology similar to that used in cellular telephones. The Los Angeles Metro Rapid also employs automatic traffic surveillance and control technologies. Read the entire page →
From page 140... ... 6% 6% 3% 4% 9% 15% 32% 16% 9% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 Seconds Without Traffic Signal Priority Average = 85 sec 84% 8% 4% 4% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 Seconds With Traffic Signal Priority Average = 43 sec NOTE: Based on run times between two bus stops in Hamburg, Germany. (SOURCE: Goeddel, 2000) Read the entire page →
From page 141... ... 7-12 TABLE 7-4 Uses for APC systems Uses for Collected Data Number of Systems Create / Evaluate / Adjust Run Times / Schedules 14 Plan / Justify Route Changes 13 Evaluate Marketing Strategies 3 Estimate Expected Revenue 1 Determine Fleet Needs 2 Monitor Driver Performances 3 Determine Location of Stop Facilities 5 NTD (formerly Section 15) Reporting 6 Other 2 NOTE: Based on 25 agencies surveyed. Read the entire page →
From page 142... ... • Unknown: 14% (not yet selected) ; • Magnetic Stripe Cards: 35%; • Smart Cards: 40%; • Debit Cards: 4%; and • Credit Cards: 7%. Read the entire page →
From page 143... ... • Improved travel time through faster boarding, • Improved coordination within a region using the same card, • Creation of a more seamless network with one card, • Improved operational efficiency, and • Increased ridership potential with added convenience and less confusion. The financial advantages of fare collection technologies are shown in Table 7-6. Read the entire page →
From page 144... ... 7-15 Photo 7-G. BRT guideway, Adelaide. Read the entire page →
From page 145... ... in a way similar to the magnetic system. The Bombardier BRT vehicles in Nancy, France, use a light duty track in the middle of a dedicated running way that guides vehicles under electric power. Read the entire page →
From page 146... ... North America reporting a reduction in operating costs are the following: • Atlanta, Georgia. The Metropolitan Transportation Area Regional Transportation Authority has saved $1.5 million annually in operating costs because of the reduced need for schedule adherence and travel time surveys. Read the entire page →
From page 147... ... • Turin, Italy. An opinion survey regarding the provision of next-stop information on board transit vehicles revealed that 75% of customers found the system useful. Read the entire page →
From page 148... ... www.benefitcost.its.dot.gov/ITS/benecost.nsf/ByLink/Costho me. Accessed March 30, 2002. Read the entire page →

From page 130...

... 7-1 CHAPTER 7 ITS APPLICATIONS BRT service should be fast, reliable, and safe. Buses should run on time; their performance should be monitored, and schedule adjustments should be done quickly.