After ETA Transit Systems announced that it has been awarded a CAD/AVL project with the University of Southern California (USC), the company's 34-bus Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) system was installed, tested, and deployed within three weeks. 

"We are truly honored to have been chosen by the University of Southern California for this transformative CAD/AVL project," said John Maglio, president of ETA Transit Systems. "Our innovative onboard equipment design reflects our commitment to providing transit agencies with solutions that not only enhance operational efficiency but also prioritize security and continuity. The trust that USC has placed in ETA Transit Systems is a testament to our dedication to excellence."

ETA's Mobile Data Terminal System

Part of ETA’s solution is the utilization of an on-board computer that is installed within a locked cabinet, out of reach of both bus operators and riders combined with a MDT that is a touchscreen monitor without any processing responsibilities. 

The MDT is a touch panel monitor designed to streamline the interaction between transit staff and the system. The MDT serves as an interface, devoid of any system intelligence.

This design means that even if the MDT is damaged or stolen, the core functionalities of the system, including vehicle tracking, arrival predictions, and data collection for reporting, remain fully operational.

"After facing challenges with tablet-based MDTs in the past, we were in need of a more reliable hardware solution. ETA won our business based largely on the unique design of their onboard systems," said Marcus Arvizu, senior manager of Transit Operations at USC. "We were also on a very tight timeline and needed the system installed within 3 weeks. ETA demonstrated an ability to deploy similar projects on very aggressive schedules. I highly recommend ETA for anyone seeking a dedicated transit technology partner."