real-time passenger information systems

How Universities Are Using Systems Like NextBus and Transloc to Improve the Passenger Experience

Real-Time Passenger Information Systems

• Automated Vehicle Location (AVL)

• Arrival Predictions and/or Location on Map

• Mobile Alerts• Back Office

Management

Real-Time Passenger Information Systems

• Better trip planning– Arrival Times– System Alerts

(Detours, Changes, etc.)

• Confidence in system

• Safety• Convenience

Benefits to Transit Riders

• Computer Automated Dispatch (CAD)

• Route Planning• Fleet tracking

– Know where your resources are

• Performance Reports– On-Time Stats– Idling Times

• Play Back Reports– Respond to complaints– Review incidents

Benefits to Transit Providers“It keeps everyone honest”

• Previous system: Connexionz (2007-2013)

• Launched Transloc in March 2013– Integration with

Zonar

University of Virginia - Transloc

• Real-Time View of Routes– 10 Second Updates

• User Location• Bus Arrival

Predictions– Online– Mobile Apps– SMS/Text

• Alert Notifications

University of Virginia - Transloc

Alert Notifications

How Passengers Access System

Computer Automated Dispatch (CAD)

Reporting

• Easy to use and modern

• Popular apps• Web-based system• Frequent refresh

rate• Alert system• Cellular data

– Low equipment profile

• Integration with Zonar

Positives

• Bumpy beginnings• Route designing• No connection with

City Transit System

Negatives

• “It’s all about ridership”

• Reviewed several systems:– Route Match– Avail– Martha– Transloc– Trapeze– Syncromatics– Connexionz– NextBus

• Evaluated short listed vendors:– Criteria on

spreadsheet– Surveyed other

universities.– Issued RFP’s and

reviewed proposals– Held live or webex

demos and Q&A sessions.

James Madison University - NextBus

• Selected NextBus

• Advantages:– Numerous

customers – small to large

– Very solid technical base

– Excellent implementation histories

– Seamless operations

– Add-on functionality

• Concerns:– Price– “Closed System”

• Implemented test mode Fall Semester 2011

• Went live Spring Semester of 2012

James Madison University - NextBus

• Real-Time View of Routes– 10-30 Second Updates

• Bus Arrival Predictions– Online– Mobile Apps (live

map)– SMS/Text– IVR– QR scans

• Alert Notifications

James Madison University - NextBus

James Madison University - NextBus

James Madison University - NextBus

James Madison University - NextBus

James Madison University - NextBus

James Madison University - NextBus

Total Average Hits Per Day

(10.14% Increase)Contact Method

James Madison University - NextBus

Method of Access

Phone Call (10%)Text Message (21%)Website (52%)QR Scan (16%)

2012 201302468

10121416

2012 vs. 2013 (in %)

2012 vs. 2013 (in %)

• NextBus data feeds are used for other applications:– “Bus Finder” (a

real time trip planner)

– Mobile phone apps

James Madison University - NextBus

Other Systems

James Madison University - NextBus