Author

Dr. John Collura & Dr.Valeri Plotnikov
Virginia Polytechnic Institute
E-mail: jcollura@vt.edu & valeriplotnikov@pbsj.com
Phone: (703) 538-8457

Description

This course presents an overview of ITS applications in public transit management and operations with emphasis on three specific areas. Applications and technologies employed in the Public Transit Operations domain include advanced communications systems, AVL, automated passenger counter systems, and electronic payment systems, to name a few. These, and several other technologies are described in the first section. The second area explored is that of Traveler Information Systems for Transit and their benefits, components, and requirements. The last section introduces Traffic Signal Priorities for Transit (TSPS) benefits, requirements, and technologies used. Case-studies and examples of implementations in each area illustrate the three sections of the course.

Objectives

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Distinguish between the positive and negative consequences of past and on-going experiences in the implementation of traveler information systems and traffic signal priority strategies for transit and to translate these consequences into lessons learned.
• Explain the relationship between the key concepts and components of the national ITS systems architecture and the basic design of traveler information systems and traffic signal priority strategies for transit.
• Identify measures (or metrics) to assess the benefits and other impacts of traveler information systems and traffic signal priority strategies for transit.
• Illustrate the benefits and other impacts associated with the implementation of traveler information systems and traffic signal priority strategies for transit.
• Describe the objectives, limitations, and major factors associated with the development of traveler information systems and traffic signal priority strategies for transit.
• Explore the use of ITS applications in public transit in the areas of fleet management and operations, traveler information systems, and transportation demand management.

Audience

Public-sector Transportation Professionals including US DOT engineers, planners, project managers, and field staff, FTA Regional staff, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Specialists, and others as appropriate. Transportation professionals from state, regional, and local agencies would also benefit from participation in the course.

Length

Approximately four hours.

Prerequisites

Some familiarity with User Services and ITS Functions is necessary.

Course Outline

The revised course outline is as follows:
(numbers in parentheses refer to pages)

1. Public Transportation Operations (3-32)
   1. Objectives and Scope
   2. Introduction
   3. Public Transportation Technologies
      • Advanced Communications Systems (ACS)
      • Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) Systems
      • In-Vehicle Diagnostic Systems
      • Transit Operations Software
      • Fixed-Route Bus CAD Systems
      • Paratransit CAD Systems
      • Automatic Passenger Counter Systems
      • Electronic Payment Systems
   4. Relationship to the National ITS Architecture

    

2. ITS Applications in Public Transportation Operations (33-42)
   1. Objectives and Scope
   2. Case Study: Winston-Salem Transit, N.C.
   3. Case Study: Santa Clara County, CA
   4. Case Study: Montgomery County, MD

    

3. Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS) for Transit (43-56)
   1. Objectives and Scope
   2. Background
   3. ATIS Objectives and Benefits
   4. ATIS Components and Requirements
   5. ATIS and the National ITS Architecture

    

4. ITS Applications in Public Transportation Operations (57-64)
   1. Objectives and Scope
   2. Case Study: Seattle MDDI
      • ITS Information Backbone
      • Busview
      • Transit Watch
5. Traffic Signal Priorities Strategies (TSPS) for Transit (67-77)
   1. Objectives and Scope
   2. Background
   3. Ojectives and Requirements of TSPS
   4. Benefits and Impact of TSPS
   5. TSPS and the National ITS Architecture

    

6. ITS Applications in TSPS (78-90)
   1. Objectives and Scope
   2. Case Study: Charlotte, NC
   3. Case Study: Bremerton, WA
   4. Case Study: King County, WA
   5. TSPS Quiz

    

7. Conclusion (91-93)