INIT, Innovations in Transportation Inc. signed another contract with TriMet (Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon) to equip 254 paratransit vehicles and 15 supervisory vehicles with their combined on-board computers and mobile data terminals (COPILOTtouch).

As part of the installation, INIT will also provide voice radio and cellular data modems, fleet management software (MOBILE-ITCS) for 9 dispatch workstations, emergency alarm improvements and training.

INIT’s COPILOTtouch is an 8.4-inch mobile data terminal which uses a Windows® XP Embedded operating system. The built-in, compact computer will organize voice and data radio communications giving TriMet automatic vehicle position calculation and immediate schedule adherence data. The COPILOTtouch will also provide drivers with an easy-to-view, full-color touch screen that displays route and schedule functions, and gives clear navigation announcements transmitted through the built-in audio amplifier.

The installation of INIT technology on TriMet’s paratransit fleet will provide passengers with improved on-time service and give TriMet more efficient fleet management control, according to a company statement.

The contract between INIT and TriMet is expected to kick off in October of 2010. The paratransit fleet installation will correspond with the fixed-route radio implementation schedule already outlined in a previous contract between the company and TriMet.