Computerized Bus Dispatch and Automatic Vehicle Locator
Computerized Bus Dispatch
and
Automatic Vehicle Locator
Tri-Met will utilize the Dept. of Defense's Global Positioning System of 24 satellites 11,000 miles out in space to improve transit service for its customers.
Tri-Met is now installing a computerized bus dispatch system (BDS) and automatic vehicle locator (AVL) that will improve communications with operators, dispatchers, and customers.
- A key advantage of this system is that it will provide information on schedules and performance, and allow schedules and service to be adjusted to improve service reliability.
- The AVL also informs dispatchers the location of any of Tri-Met's 770 buses within 10 meters.
- This information will help Tri-Met improve operations during snow and ice storms, as well as respond more quickly to an emergency.
- The system will display a prioritized list of messages received from bus operators, allowing dispatchers to prioritize and respond to the most pressing operator needs.
- Dispatchers can send one digital message to numerous buses throughout the day and evening without using voice communication. For example, all buses traveling over the Hawthorne Bridge could get a route change that relates to service on the bridge. If there is a detour onto a different bridge, the operator can call up the route change and follow those directions. Operators no longer have to write down the detour information or pass it along to operators on different shifts. Voice communication is time consuming and causes poor response time.
- The system will automatically send detour information and late arrival information to Customer Service. Tri-Met personnel can relay information to customers about service changes and delays.
- system speed
- mileage
- bus stops
- passenger loads
- on-time performance (early/late)
- off-route operation.
On specially equipped buses, the on-board computer also will automatically change signage at the end of routes, automatically announce stops and transfer points, and automatically count passengers.
The Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) System is based on all buses receiving signals from three-to-five satellites and determining their position by triangulation. The buses periodically report their position to the dispatch system which displays it on a 21" computer screen at each dispatch console. Buses can be located within a few blocks when moving, or within 10 meters or less when stationary. This information is updated as often as every as every 30 seconds. This will speed response time to an emergency.
Routes, transfer points, and bus stops can be shown on a dispatcher's display screen. This will be an efficient method of sequencing and spacing service in emergencies (snow and ice) and in regular service where breakdowns, schedule delays, etc., cause buses to become "bunched" along a line.
Baseline Cost is $5.5 to $6 million, with 80% of the cost funded through federal grants. Tri-Met has been working on this project for three years. Full implementation will be complete in early 1997.
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Tri-Met's Bus Dispatch System (BDS)
Customer Fact Sheet
Features and Benefits
- Efficient communication will result in stronger security, more of an ability to respond to emergencies, improved operation during snow and ice storms, and greater service reliability for all of our buses.
- Each dispatcher's computer console will display maps of the Portland metropolitan area. Any bus can be located anytime with an accuracy of about 10 meters (approximately 30 feet).
- Multiple levels of communications can be transmitted from each bus, allowing our dispatchers to properly prioritize incoming calls. Dispatchers will usually have advance information about the nature of the call even before they talk to the driver.
- Last second delays and reroutes can be transmitted to each affected bus line through text messages that drivers receive on their display screen.
- In emergencies, such as a medical event, dispatchers will be able to accurately send help to the proper location.
- The clock on each bus display provides official Tri-Met time from satellite-based clocks that are accurate to about one second in 3,000 years!
- The system automatically alerts the drivers and dispatchers when the vehicle is running early or late, or when it goes off-route.
- Our Scheduling Department can receive daily information about how well, or not so well, every schedule is working for both customers and drivers.
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