Modal Transit Fact Sheet: Fixed Route Bus Transit

Technology Overview


What technologies should a fixed-route bus transit agency deploy? List of Fixed-Route Bus Core Technologies

Fixed Route Bus Data

Service Area No. Agencies No. Vehicles Vehicle Length
Size Range		 Agency Size Standards No. Agencies by Size Operating in U.S.
Nationwide - Bus service is the only fixed-route service available in all but 60 metropolitan areas 2,000 (approx.) 80,000 Small = 18'
Large = 60'
(articulated bus)
Most Common = 40'		 Large = 100+ vehicles
Small = less than 100 vehicles		 100 Large Bus Transit Agencies
1,884 Small Bus Transit Agencies

Fixed Route Bus Core Technologies


Technologies and Systems Small Bus Agency
(<100 vehicles)		 Large Bus Agency
(100+ Vehicles)
1. Automatic Vehicle Location Basic AVL system (e.g., commercial internet-based) for planning or real-time operations More advanced system with extensive integration, especially with communications and scheduling systems for real-time operations
2. Wireless Communication
    Network		 Voice only network for small agencies and expanded communications for dispatching and incident response functions
3. Text-Based Communications NOT A CORE TECHNOLOGY Utilize Mobile Data Terminals (MDT); preserves voice channel
4. Traveler Information Website Static route, schedule, contact info on website Trip Planner, in addition to extensive transit info
5. Data Management Software Very basic data spreadsheet and storage More advanced system with data integration and voluminous data levels from AVL
6. Geographic Information System NOT A CORE TECHNOLOGY Integrate GIS with AVL to graph real-time info for both operations control and security
7. Automated System Planning
    and Scheduling Software		 NOT A CORE TECHNOLOGY Integrate real-time vehicle tracking with scheduling software and Trip Planner
8. Maintenance Systems NOT A CORE TECHNOLOGY Focus on asset management within garage environment, including monitoring of life-cycle costs & inventory needs
9. Electronic Card Payment Intelligent farebox with data storage (off-the-shelf tech) Magnetic, closed system with intelligent farebox
10. Security Cameras Cameras used for basic events recording with no real-time connections Part of security system that integrates AVL, silent alarms and wireless communications
11. Automatic Passenger Counters NOT A CORE TECHNOLOGY Deployment on 10% of fleet sufficient for sampling purposes
NON-CORE SECONDARY TECHNOLOGIES TO CONSIDER FOR FIXED ROUTE BUS TRANSIT
A. Traffic Signal Priority Deploy if used by other transit in metropolitan area Develop along transit corridors; Most applicable to Express Bus or Bus Rapid Transit
B. Incident Management Small agencies are involved in IM thru coordinated communications Expand interoperability of all systems, especially internal and external communications

Fixed Route Bus Technology Costs


How Much Do the Fixed-Route Bus Core Technologies Cost?

Technology System Cost Range Technology Range Aspects
(Basic system to most extensive)
1. Automatic Vehicle Location Average: $2.4M (million)
Median: $1M		 On-board GPS; Vehicle tracking integrated with Operations Control Center dispatching and security systems, includes AVL-GPS and MDTs
2. Transit Communications Average: $2M
Median: $160,000		 Advanced PDA provides route guidance & interactive information; Dispatch Center hardware, digital radio, data computer, field communications hardware (voice -radio & data - MDT), in-vehicle hardware (including AVL-GPS)
3. Traveler Information Average: $2.1M
Median: $450,000		 Voice recognition traveler info call-in phone line; Trip Planner with GPS tracking for real-time information
4. Data Management & GIS Average: $475,000
Median: $175,000		 Desktop GIS with basic database software; Transit Center software integration of vehicle tracking, GIS, scheduler, information storage (large, multimodal agency)
5. Computer-Aided Dispatch
    & Scheduling		 Average: $325,000
Median: $40,000		 Basic scheduling software; Integrated communications & scheduling system with AVL-GPS, radio modifications and scheduling software (large, multimodal agency)
6. Maintenance Tracking Average: $320,000
Median: $100,000		 Fuel dispensing management applications; On-board mechanical monitoring sensors that collect & transmit vehicle data to Operations Control Center
7. Electronic Fare Payment Average: $13M
Median: $1M		 Fare reader with AVL-based GIS & AVL-MDT tracking system (small agency); Full replacement of fare collection system with fare vending machines, smart card & magnetic readers, fare gate consuls, vehicle validating fareboxes (large agency)
8. Security Cameras
    & Security Systems		 Average: $730,000
Median: $500,000		 Multiple Black & White CCTV cameras installed; Advanced bus surveillance system with wireless technology for live video transmission to command center (large agency)
9. Weather Information Average: $370,000
Median: $200,000		 Most basic Environmental Sensor Station (weather station); Statewide deployment of 88 ESS, plus training, plus 2-year full service warranty
10. Advanced Passenger
      Counters		 Average: $21,500
Median: $350,000		 Add-on to advanced operating system with route scheduling and vehicle tracking components; Real-time data reporting linked to central control scheduling software and vehicle location devices
A. Traffic Signal Priority
(Non-Core Secondary Technology)		 Average: $1.7M
Median: $270,000		 Priority installation at 2 intersections, in-vehicle priority emitter on 10 vehicles; Loop detectors at 210 intersections along 2 long corridors with AVI sensors at controller cabinet for 150 transponder-equipped buses

Standout Fixed-Route Bus Transit Agencies Deploying ITS


Agency Name Location No. Vehicles Contact
Department		 Key ITS
Deployments*
LARGE FIXED-ROUTE BUS AGENCIES (100+ Vehicles)
LAC MTA Los Angeles, CA 2400 Info Systems AVL, AC, TI, AVM, FP, S
WMATA (Metro) Washington, D.C. 1457 Operations AVL, AC, TI, GIS, CADS
PACE Suburban Bus Arlington Heights, IL 650 New Tech AVL, MDT, TI, GIS, CADS
Niagara Frontier TA Buffalo, NY 321 Operations AVL, AC, TI, GIS, CADS
Sound Transit Seattle, WA 209 Operations AVL, AC, TI, GIS, CADS
SMALL FIXED-ROUTE BUS AGENCIES (<100 Vehicles)
GET Bakersfield, CA 79 Operations AVL, AC, MDT, TI, CADS
Duluth TA Duluth, MN 72 Operations AVL, AC, MDT, TI, AVM
Beaver County TA Rochester, PA 34 Transportation AVL, MDT, TI, GIS, CADS
St. Joseph Transit St. Joseph, MO 21 Operations AVL, AC, TI, GIS, AVM, S
Glendale Dial-A-Ride Glendale, AZ 8 Operations AVL, AC, TI, CADS, FP
Key: AVL = Automatic Vehicle Location, AC = Advanced Communications, MDT = Mobile Data Terminals, TI = Traveler Information, GIS = Data Management & Geographic Information System, CADS = Computer Aided Dispatch & Scheduling, AVM = Automatic Vehicle Monitoring, FP = Electronic Fare Payment, S = Security/Safety System, WIS = Weather Information, APC = Automatic Passenger Counters, TSP = Traffic Signal Priority

Reference Documents for Fixed-Route Bus Transit Technologies