Long Description
Table 1. ITS Technologies That Benefit Transportation-Disadvantaged Populations
Table is broken down into Passenger-related Technologies and Organization-related technologies. For each category, table lists types of technology and a corresponding description.
Passenger Related Technologies follow:
Technology: Traveler information, including internet websites, automated telephone systems, audible enunciators, kiosks, transit stops with automated information. Description: Advanced traveler information systems (ATIS) provide the customer (i.e., transit passenger) with traveler information electronically. The information may be static or real-time. The content might include schedules, fares, routes, transfers, arrival time of next vehicle, and/or availability of special accommodation equipment. Information can be provided on the transit vehicle, at the transit stop, available through the Internet or over the telephone. Automated travel itinerary planners are included in this category.
Technology: Electronic fare payment. Description: This technology allows the rider or human services agency to pay for transportation services on one or more transit systems electronically using a smart card or magnetic stripe card. While the passenger sees only the card, the operational component uses the data to simplify billing and payment.
Technology: Surveillance and security systems. Description: Safety and security technologies include video surveillance cameras, silent alarms and covert microphones on vehicles, and "smart" cards for driver identification. Surveillance and security systems can be provided in transit vehicles and at transit stops and stations.
Organization-related technologies follow:
Technology: Automatic Vehicle Location. Description: Using a positioning system, such as the global positioning systems (GPS), and a GIS, the operating agency can track its buses. Combining AVL with ATIS, the agency can alert riders with real-time information; combining AVL with CAD, the agency can reroute vehicles to provide flexible service.
Technology: Computer-Aided Dispatch. Description: CAD is used to assist agencies in dispatching paratransit vehicles and is typically integrated with AVL and other information management technologies, such as scheduling and routing software.
Technology: Mobile Data Terminals/Mobile Data Computers. Description: An MDT/MDC is a small on-board computer and interface that links the driver to an agency's computer network through wireless communications.
Technology: Coordination and integration software. Description: This technology helps agencies with scheduling, routing, billing, and reporting. Typical applications include coordinating paratransit routes and schedules within a single agency or among multiple agencies, coordinating fare card usage and billing among multiple agencies, and integrating software systems across multimodal transit systems.
Return to Table 1.