Cleveland RTA, Battelle team to test transit, pedestrian safety tech
By reducing bus collisions with pedestrians and other vehicles, the technology can prevent accidents and fatalities, reduce transit operator costs, and decrease travel interruptions.
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA), working with Battelle, is launching a six-month project to evaluate enhanced safety systems on buses. With a grant from the Federal Transit Administration, GCRTA will test cutting-edge safety technology in 24 buses retrofitted with so-called “connected” features to better avoid collisions.
The agency installed the Enhanced Transit Safety Retrofit Package system over the past several months and will debut it on RTA buses at three locations in Downtown Cleveland.
During the evaluation phase, connected buses will collect data to evaluate system performance, safety impacts, and lessons learned. By reducing bus collisions with pedestrians and other vehicles, the technology can prevent accidents and fatalities, reduce transit operator costs, and decrease travel interruptions.
The system improves safety by notifying the bus driver when a pedestrian is in or about to enter a crosswalk in the path of the bus. The system also notifies the bus driver when another connected vehicle is turning in front of the bus as it pulls away from a stop.
The technology project uses dedicated short-range communications radio for vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, Global Positioning System for vehicle tracking, and forward looking infrared cameras for pedestrian detection.
The Plan is CTA's formal response to an FTA Special Directive issued in December and details how the agency will significantly expand the law enforcement surge it launched.
On a recent episode of METROspectives, METRO Magazine’s Executive Editor Alex Roman sat down with Ana-Maria Tomlinson, Director of Strategic & Cross-Sector Programs at the CSA Group, to explore a bold initiative aimed at addressing those challenges: the development of a National Code for Transit and Passenger Rail Systems in Canada.
During a safety blitz, Metra employees will visit one of the railroad’s 243 stations during the morning rush hour, distributing educational materials on train and grade-crossing safety, answering questions, and listening to riders’ safety concerns.
Operated in partnership with Tech Valley Security, trained CDTA Ambassadors will be on select routes and will rotate throughout CDTA’s route network. Their presence is intended to provide customers with an approachable, visible resource focused on assistance and engagement.
Customers have always been able to report concerns through the CATS Customer Service line or the “Report a Problem to CATS” feature in the CATS-Pass mobile app; however, CATS has also integrated a Text-a-Tip line, giving riders multiple, easy-to-use channels to get support.
