be not afraid: an introduction to improving transit service with technology 2007 dta mid-year...

Be Not Afraid:An Introduction to Improving

Transit Service with Technology

2007 DTA Mid-Year ConferenceOacoma, South Dakota

March 27, 2007

David RipplingerAssociate Research Fellow

Small Urban & Rural Transit CenterUpper Great Plains Transportation Institute

North Dakota State University

Session Outline

• Goals

• Needs & Solutions

• Technology Adoption

• Recap & Next Steps

• Terminology

Goals

Be Not Afraid:An Introduction to

Improving Transit Service with Technology

Be Not Afraid :An Introduction to

Improving Transit Service with Technology

Be Not Afraid :An Introduction to

Improving Transit Service with Technology

Be Not Afraid :An Introduction to

Improving Transit Service with Technology

Be Not Afraid :An Introduction to

Improving Transit Service with Technology

Goal 1 Eliminate any apprehension regarding technology and its useGoal 2 Provide exposure to high-level conceptsGoal 3 Focus is on increased efficiencyGoal 4 Needs come first, specific technologies come later

Be Not Afraid :An Introduction to

Improving Transit Service with Technology

Goal 1 Eliminate any apprehension regarding technology and its useGoal 2 Provide exposure to high-level conceptsGoal 3 Focus is on increased efficiencyGoal 4 Needs come first, specific technologies come later

Needs & Solutions

• Many needs can be addressed by one of a number of technologies

• Many technologies address more than one need

• Many technologies work in tandem with others

Needs & Solutions

• The best solution may be low-tech or no-tech

• There are advantages to being a late adopter

• Advanced levels of coordination often require additional technology

Needs & Solutions

Need #1: Paperwork is

becoming cumbersome

Possible Solution: Accounting, personnel, fleet, and reporting software

Needs & Solutions

Need #2:Increased levels of service is making scheduling by hand difficult

Possible Solution: Computer-aided scheduling and dispatch software

Relies on GIS (Geographic Information Systems)

Needs & Solutions

Need #3: Communication by radio is cumbersome for driver

Possible Solution:

Benefits• Voice free communications

• Privacy• Security

• Accountability• Know that information has been communicated

• Gather precise information

Mobile Data Terminal (MDT)

Needs & Solutions

Need #4: Collection of fares and ride information is cumbersome

Possible Solution: Electronic media

Need #5: Level of service

suffers as vehicles wait for riders

Benefits

Needs & Solutions

Possible Solution: Automatic voice notification

Need to know where your vehicle is located

AVL (Automatic Vehicle Location)

Emergency location of vehicles

Fleet management (performance)

Data collection

Driver monitoring

Schedule adherence

Technology Adoption

Technology Adoption

What to Consider Before Adopting a Pet ^technology

Why do you want a pet?

Do you have time for a pet?

Are you prepared to deal with special problems that a pet can cause?

Can you have a pet where you live?

The Humane Society of the United States

Can you afford a pet?Is it a good time for you to adopt

a pet?

Are your living arrangements suitable for the animal you have in mind?

Technology Adoption

• Think before you adopt. Sharing your life with a pet can bring incredible rewards, but only if you're willing to make the necessary commitments of time, money, responsibility, and love

well, not so much love……

Terminology

• Like many fields, there are a number of terms, especially acronyms, that are used in ITS…For example:

ITS- Intelligent

Transportation Systems, ie technology and transportation

Others already referred to:GIS

AVLMDT

Recap & Next Steps

• Goals• Needs/Solutions

Recap

• Technology Adoption

Next Steps• Think about your agency’s needs and solutions• Check out TCRP Report 76 and other resources• Feel free to contact me by phone or email

• Terminology

If you do decide to pursue technology adoption let us know

David RipplingerAssociate Research Fellow

Small Urban & Rural Transit CenterUpper Great Plains Transportation Institute

North Dakota State University

(701) 231-5265david.ripplinger@ndsu.edu