April 22, 2004

By: Jeff Parm
Website: http://www.handheld-gps-reviews.com

Bus Locator Systems to Aid Transit Rider Convenience and Safety

Investing in the future and providing Delaware transit riders with leading edge technology to get them to their destinations on time and safely is a top priority with DART First State as it begins the new century.

Earlier this year, DART First State launched the State's first real-time next bus satellite-based rider information system as a pilot program at the Resort area for its seasonal service, and contracted for an $11 million Automatic Vehicle Location system to monitor and manage DART First State's 355-vehicle and 60 route statewide fleet.

DART First State is working with NextBus Information Systems Inc of Emeryville, California, to provide its Resort riders with real time bus arrival and route information at bus stops and on the Internet. In August, NextBus will also provide the real-time bus information to riders with web wireless phones and other Internet accessible devices like personal digital assistants and pagers.

NextBus uses satellite Global Positioning System data to provide riders with arrival times for the next bus allowing riders to avoid unnecessary waiting. Armed with this real-tine information, riders can choose to take another route, run errands to nearby stores, or grab a snack.

NextBus satellite technology tracks DART First State Resort buses on each of their routes. Each bus is fitted with a satellite tracking system. Taking into account the actual position of the bus on its route, their next stops, and known traffic patterns, NextBus estimates the bus arrival times. The time estimate is updated constantly.

DART First State presently has NextBus real-time electronic display message boards for its Resort riders located at its Rehoboth Beach Park & Ride Lot, Ruddertowne stop, and on the Boardwalk at Rehoboth Avenue.

DART First State's leap into the future of technology for Delaware transit riders also includes an $11 million investment for an AVL SmartTrack system from Orbital Sciences Corporation of Linthicum, Maryland. Orbital is providing DART First State with real-time vehicle location information delivered through the US government's Global Positioning System satellites. The AVL SmartTrack system consists of data processors and software, and interfaces with rider amenities already in DART First State buses, such as digital readouts and voice annunciation of stops.

In DART First State's Operations Center, managers and dispatchers will be able to use the AVL SmartTrack system to easily monitor the bus fleet operations in real-time and to determine a vehicle's location and status. When the AVL SmartTrack system is fully operational in the Fall of 2000, DART First State operators and vehicles will also have a leading edge silent alarm feature to provide greater rider and operator safety.

When a bus operator presses the silent alarm button, the bus destination sign will automatically switch to Please call 911. At the DART First State Operations Center, the AVL SmartTrack screen will advise the dispatcher of the exact bus location and that of the closest DART First State Street Supervisor available to assist, all while the AVL SmartTrack system maintains communications between the bus operator and dispatcher.

The AVL SmartTrack system will also allow Street Supervisors to be in route to the bus location before the bus operator speaks to the Operation Center dispatcher. In addition, the AVL SmartTrack system provides for covert communications to have necessary law and emergency authorities in route to the bus prior to any communication with the bus operator.

DART First State Executive Director Raymond Miller states, DART First State, the Delaware Transit Corporation, and DelDOT are committed to providing our riders with the highest quality transportation services, including leading edge and real-time rider information and satellite-based vehicle locators. I am pleased that our investment in these new technology-based services continues Delaware's First State image as now we're also the first state transit agency to offer our riders this leading edge technology! For more information, on the latest GPS News see gps vehicle tracking.

Author Notes:

Jeff Parm contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.handheld-gps-reviews.com.  A wealth of information about Global Positioning Systems for commercial or personal use.