METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

ITS Usage Enhances Transit System Services

In this overview, find out how intelligent transportation systems are being employed to provide access to vehicle schedule updates, boost communications and allow users to pay for transit, tolls and parking with a single card.

March 1, 2004
ITS Usage Enhances Transit System Services

 

3 min to read


University system offers real-time vehicle updates
In 2001, the Rutgers University campus in New Brunswick, N.J., embarked on a new transit project that equipped its fleet of 45 buses with GPS (global positioning system). Each day, the university-run transit system services 45,000 riders. Because on-campus parking and traffic was becoming a significant challenge, the university felt that improving vehicle management through GPS would increase usage. The university also wanted to extend GPS capabilities to include public access, says Rutgers’ Bob Spear. This was achieved through a Web-based application from Grey Island Systems, which Rutgers calls whereismybus.com. As an Internet-based GPS/AVL (automated vehicle location), whereismybus.com allows students to log on to the Internet from any location, check the status of any bus on the system and receive detailed information on its location and estimated time of arrival. The Website operates in real-time, with updates provided every few seconds (or every 100 feet of movement of the vehicle). The new system allows dispatch and management personnel to improve traffic flow and allocate resources according to demand. Any transit problems can be pinpointed immediately for faster remediation. Rutgers supervisory staff is also better equipped to monitor and assess contractor performance on a day-to-day basis. In addition, as a Web-based solution that can be implemented over the existing network, there was no need to set up a new infrastructure with dedicated servers to maintain and manage the GPS system. Smart card pays for tolls, transit and parking
The Orlando Regional Alliance for Next Generation Electronic Payment Systems (ORANGES) is a public/private partnership that allows the use of a single smart card to pay for services at selected locations of the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority’s toll road system, the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority’s (LYNX) bus system and the City of Orlando’s parking garages. The project, managed by PBS&J, is a Federal Transit Administration field operational test funded through TEA 21. The yearlong test was launched in August 2003. The common smart cards issued by each agency are being used to pay for services at the other partner agencies according to the customer’s travel and payment preferences. “ORANGES provides a seamless payment system across various modes for our customers,” says Doug Jamison, LYNX project manager. The ORANGES card carries electronic cash that is accepted at all three agencies, toll account information and the full range of prepaid seven-day and 30-day transit fare offerings. In addition to the card-based payments, the project uniquely ties together card-based and account-based processing services. Each agency continues to manage its services independently while a central clearinghouse ensures that each agency receives payment for its respective services. Customers can log on to the ORANGES Website (CentsToBits.com) and view their transactions on a multi-modal Web statement. Phoenix manages vehicles with centralized GPS system
The installation of an intelligent transportation system at City of Phoenix Public Transit is expected to provide new services and ease operations at the agency, according to Steve Brown, deputy public transit director. Orbital Sciences’ transportation management systems division is supplying in-vehicle components as well as control center software for the agency’s new vehicle management system. A new operations control system is being constructed to manage all vehicles in the region from a single location. The system will include real-time GPS tracking, smart mobile display terminals, a new two-way mobile radio system, pre-programmed fixed-route vehicle schedules and automatic voice annunciation both internally and externally of the vehicle. In addition, approximately 5% to 10% of the fleet will have automatic passenger counters. The $21 million needed for the installation of this technology came from federal funds in the form of several grants. Each week, 40 vehicles receive the ITS programs, resulting in 1,053 equipped vehicles by the August completion date. These vehicles include supervisory service trucks, fixed-route buses, paratransit and security vehicles. Rail construction is slated to begin in the summer and will be located adjacent to the operations control center. The proximity is intended to make managing and monitoring the city’s public transportation services more convenient.

Topics:Management
Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Management

A headshot of Inez Evans Benson
Busby Alex RomanApril 15, 2026

Inez Evans Benson on Rethinking Transit Through Customer Experience

The WSP leader discusses why agencies must look beyond satisfaction metrics and take a more holistic, community-driven approach to service.

Read More →
NJ TRANSIT's new Multilevel III commuter railcar manufactured by Alstom
Technologyby StaffApril 14, 2026

Alstom Delivers First Multilevel III NJ TRANSIT Commuter Railcar

The delivery marks the first car in a 374‑vehicle order and begins the arrival of a new generation of higher‑capacity, more reliable, and more comfortable trains for one of the country’s busiest commuter rail systems.

Read More →
New Cincinnati Metro bus stop sign with large route numbers and clear layout at a city intersection, part of a systemwide signage upgrade initiative.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseApril 13, 2026

Cincinnati Metro Begins Countywide Bus Stop Sign Upgrade

Metro launches a 24-month project to replace 3,700 bus stop signs, introducing improved visibility, QR-enabled rider info, and expanded amenities across Hamilton County.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A BART train on the tracks.
Railby StaffApril 13, 2026

San Francisco's BART Breaks Multiple Records for Post-Pandemic Ridership in March

BART recorded 5,403,140 exits in March, making it the highest monthly ridership since the pandemic and surpassing the previous high set in October 2025 (5,346,890 exits).

Read More →
Rod Diridon Sr. speaking at a podium wearing a brown blazer.
Managementby StaffApril 13, 2026

Transit Leader Rod Diridon Sr., ‘Father of Modern Transit’ in Silicon Valley, Dies at 87

See how the longtime public servant and transportation visionary helped shape Bay Area transit systems and championed rail development nationwide.

Read More →
FlixBus vehicles in a parking garage.
ManagementApril 13, 2026

Intercity Bus Industry Outlook: A Mix of Apprehension & Optimism

Industry leaders see both promise and peril ahead as intercity bus travel rebounds, but unpredictable market forces threaten to reshape the sector.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Ribbon cutting photo celebrating SEPTA's new Ardmore Station
Railby StaffApril 13, 2026

Philadelphia's SEPTA Celebrates New Ardmore Station

The station was rebuilt as part of SEPTA’s Station Accessibility Program, making it fully ADA accessible with new elevators, ramps, and high-level platforms.

Read More →
Passengers in crowded SEPTA station
Managementby StaffApril 10, 2026

SEPTA Releases Proposed $2.7B Fiscal Year 2027 Budget

The plan represents an increase of just 1.9% over the current year, and includes investments in new buses, more full-length fare gates, and other enhancements for customers.

Read More →
Two Metra locomotives on rail tracks.
Railby StaffApril 10, 2026

Metra Reaches New 10-Year Agreement with BNSF

The announcement highlights the long-standing partnership between the Class I railroad and the commuter rail system, dating back to Metra's creation in 1983.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Cover Photo for Bus Tech Talk
ManagementApril 9, 2026

Bus Tech Talk: AC Transit’s Cecil Blandon on Leadership, Mentorship, and a Career in Transit

In Part 1, Blandon shares his journey from the U.S. Marines to a leadership role in public transit, along with insights on mentorship and professional growth within the industry.

Read More →