September 2007

Common Technology Combinations

Daily Operations

AVL and communications systems are used by fixed-route bus agencies to monitor on-time performance, reduce bus bunching, and improve adherence to schedules. AVL also enhances transit signal priority (TSP) performance by detecting buses as they approach intersections. Impacts to cross-street traffic are minimized since only approaching vehicles are granted priority

Safety and Security

Many AVL data systems incorporate silent alarms, which allow drivers to covertly alert transit management and police of emergency situations aboard a specific vehicle. In addition, the vehicle location is displayed on a geographic information system (GIS) map to facilitate any necessary incident response resulting from a silent alarm, radio communication, or other in-vehicle emergency notification system.

Systems Planning and Fleet Management

AVL data can be combined with bus-stop and facility-inventory data and mapped on GIS. These data can also be linked to automatic passenger counters (APC) to gather ridership information by location and time. Archived data are then used for assessing routes, schedules, and facility and fleet requirements. This analysis can be incorporated into the facility capital planning and operations planning processes.

Traveler Information

The AVL system can enable real-time information to be provided on an agencies website, which could also include an automated trip planner system. When linked to an electronic traveler information infrastructure, such as variable message signs at transit centers, an AVL system will provide information on expected arrival times. The AVL system can also be integrated with in-vehicle automated stop announcements, which can enhance ADA compliance by the transit agency.

Electronic Fare Payment

An AVL system will collect fare information by location for financial management. An AVL-electronic fare payment combination can be applied to trigger electronic fare boxes acceptance of different fare amounts across fare zones.

Maintenance Management

An AVL system can be integrated with onboard vehicle component monitoring for real-time diagnostic status information. Any irregular readings could alert maintenance or operations supervisors to contact the operator of any transit bus that records the "out-of-tolerance" warning.