METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Utah State puts bus locations online

The Aggie Shuttle at Utah State University in Logan has unveiled a new system that gives students and university employees the ability to track the real-time location of campus buses over the Internet.

April 3, 2008
Utah State puts bus locations online

 

2 min to read


The Aggie Shuttle at Utah State University in Logan has unveiled a new system that gives students and university employees the ability to track the real-time location of campus buses over the Internet. The locations of the buses are updated every 15 seconds on the shuttle Website www.aggiebus.com, which can help students reduce their waiting times — an especially important consideration in Logan’s freezing winter weather. Although the GPS tracking system has been in operation since last September, the online map has only been available to students and the public for three weeks. It has already has garnered positive notice. “We’ve gotten e-mails from students saying they like it, use it and appreciate it,” said Alden Erickson, bus operations supervisor for USU’s Parking and Transportation Services. The Aggie Shuttle operates 10 buses along seven routes, providing 960,000 rides per year on a $480,000 budget. The tracking system was developed by Justin Rees, president of Ride Systems in Logan. Rees’ system employs a GPS-enabled smart phone rather than a tracking beacon hard-wired to the bus, although it can be configured with either option. The smart phone, in this case a Pocket PC, does more than signal the bus’ location. It’s also used by the drivers to conduct paperless pre-trip vehicle inspections and to count passengers. Rees, a USU graduate and former shuttle service employee, said the passenger count feature is highly versatile, allowing for tabulation of riders by stop, demographic, route, day, week or month. He said the Pocket PC can also be configured to play audio files over the vehicle’s radio or public announcement system, providing a method for automatic stop announcements, commentary or advertising. Rees is working to enhance the accessibility of the data by making the live maps available on Web-enabled cell phones, which he hopes to debut in the fall at USU. He is also working on an application that would provide riders with bus locations via text-messaging. Another way to push the information would be to install monitors displaying the live maps in buildings near bus stops, Rees said. Rees said his tracking system has also been implemented by Commuter Services at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, which operates a fleet of nearly 30 buses, and is being readied for some municipal fleets. Each customer, he said, will have its own unique requirements and specifications. “I’m trying to create custom solutions that will improve fleet efficiency and save money in the long run,” he said.

Topics:Management

More Management

Investing in Long-Term Transportation Reliability
ManagementJune 24, 2026

Smarter Maintenance Starts with Risk, Not Routine

As infrastructure ages and funding pressures mount, effective asset management is becoming critical to maintaining safe, reliable transportation networks.

Read More →
Seniors exiting an OCTA van.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseJune 24, 2026

OCTA Extends Senior Mobility Program Agreements Through 2031

The Measure M-funded program has provided nearly 3.5 million trips and will continue helping thousands of older adults maintain independence and access essential services.

Read More →
A VIA Metropolitan PRIMO bus
Busby StaffJune 23, 2026

VIA's Silver Line Clears Environmental Review, Advances Toward Construction

The VIA Rapid Green Line is currently under construction, with service expected to begin in April 2028.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
New MobilityJune 19, 2026

Modernizing Mobility with CharterUP CEO Armir Harris

From digital transformation to evolving customer demands, CharterUP's Armir Harris offers his perspective on the transportation industry's next chapter.

Read More →
CTTC Bolsters Statewide Workforce Development
Managementby StaffJune 19, 2026

CTTC Enhances Transit Workforce Pipeline Through New Partnerships and Leadership

The group's latest initiatives focus on developing talent, expanding training opportunities and addressing workforce needs across the transit sector.

Read More →
A San Diego Metropolitan Transit System trolley wrapped with a Padres player advertisement.
Managementby Staff and News ReportsJune 19, 2026

San Diego MTS Keeps Service Intact With New FY 2027 Budget

The approved spending plan avoids route cuts and lays the groundwork for addressing transit funding challenges through the end of the decade.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A white, blue, and black graphic with text reading: "Solving The Driver Shortage: What Transit Agencies Can Learn From the Trucking Industry."
ManagementJune 19, 2026

Solving The Driver Shortage: What Transit Agencies Can Learn From the Trucking Industry

See how transit agencies facing persistent driver shortages can learn from the trucking industry’s evolving strategies for recruitment, retention, workplace conditions, and more.

Read More →
A tan, blue, and green graphic with text reading "Record Ridership: World Cup 2026."
Managementby Elora HaynesJune 18, 2026

FIFA World Cup Matches Are Driving Record Transit Ridership Nationwide

See how World Cup matches are generating record transit demand across North America, with ridership surpassing Super Bowls, concerts, and Olympic-era events.

Read More →
Zero-emissions bus with FLEETWATCH technology
ManagementJune 17, 2026

The Hidden Cost of Fuel Data Inaccuracy in Public Transit Fleets

In today's transit environment, accurate fuel and mileage data are critical to reducing costs, minimizing downtime, and improving fleet performance.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Six-Year Plan Boosts Virginia Transit, Rail Investments
Managementby StaffJune 17, 2026

Virginia's $28.5B Transportation Plan Targets Transit and Rail

Approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board, the program supports ongoing infrastructure projects while providing new investments in transit, state of good repair and transportation alternatives.

Read More →