INIT, Innovations in Transportation Inc., signed a contract with the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) for the installation of an intelligent transportation system to be fitted on more than 35 FrontRunner commuter rail vehicles. 

Fifty percent of the vehicles already have existing automatic passenger counting technology from INIT and will be upgraded with the new system components. The contract calls for on-board computers (COPILOTpc), passenger information displays (PIDmobil), driver data terminals (PRESSit) and on-board announcements (PAmobil).

In addition to the hardware, INIT will supply software for real-time passenger information online and at stops (MOBILE-STOPinfo), along with reporting software, (MOBILEstatistics).

INIT’s on-board computer, the COPILOTpc, will serve as the vehicle logic unit for the FrontRunner railcars. The compact computer is based on Windows XP-embedded technology and will benefit UTA by providing accurate vehicle location while identifying system exceptions such as off-schedule trains.

The relevant data will then be made available to passengers through passenger information signs and on-board announcements and displays. INIT will also establish a communications link, using the existing Nomad WiMax system that will carry the communications information from the FrontRunner cars to the backend network equipment.

INIT’s reporting software, MOBILEstatistics, will further enhance UTA’s ability to operate the FrontRunner Rail system more efficiently by taking all relevant data from the on-board computer and providing a robust and flexible database of both real-time and static transit information. This will give the agency further cost savings by allowing for improved management, as well as better dissemination of arrival & departure times for passengers, which has been proven to increase customer satisfaction and ridership.