Alaska Transit Technologies Research Project

Alaska Transit Technologies Research Project

Deliverable #4

Concept of Operations

High Level Requirements

Version 2.1

January, 2010

Table of Contents

Alaska Transit Technologies Research – Concept of Operations – November, 20091

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. Introduction

1.1Document Overview

1.2Alaska Transit Technology Needs

1.3Alaska Statewide Transit Technology Solutions

1.4Relating Alaska Transit Agencies to Candidate Technology Solutions

2.The Vision for Transit Technology Deployments in Alaska

2.1The Perspective of Fixed Route Transit Riders

2.2The Perspective of Paratransit Riders

2.3The Perspective of Transit Agencies

3.The Path to Technology Deployment

3.1Transit Technologies in Alaska Today

3.2Enablers for Alaska Transit Technology Deployments

3.3Constraints on Alaska Transit Technology Deployments

3.4Strategies for Deploying Transit Technologies in Alaska

Strategy #1: Statewide System Deployment and Operations

Strategy #2: Centralized System Deployment with Local Device Options

Strategy #3: Common Specification – Local Deployment

3.5Dependencies of Candidate Transit Technologies

3.6High Level Technology Solution Cost Estimates

4. Scenarios Describing the Technology Concepts

5.High Level Technology Summaries and Requirements

5.1Requirements Overview

5.2Technology Solutions

5.2.1Transit Options Website

5.2.2Transit Trip Planner

5.2.3Transit Vehicle Tracking

5.2.4Paratransit Computer Aided Dispatch Solution

5.2.5Smart Cards - Advanced Payment Solutions

5.2.6On-board Surveillance

5.2.7Fixed Route Transit Scheduling Software

APPENDIX A – Summary of Needs to be Addressed by Transit Technologies

Summary of Needs

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Alaska Department of Transportation, in cooperation with the Alaska Mobility Coalition and local transit agencies, has completed the Alaska Transit Technology Research (ATTR) Project.

The vision is that transit technologies will allow residents and visitors to better utilize existing transit services, and will help transit agencies recognize efficiencies that ultimately lead to increased services or cost savings.

The ATTR Project focused on publicly funded transit agencies throughout Alaska. A total of 10 transit agencies participated in an inventory of services and technologies used, stakeholder meetings, user need surveys, and technology reviews. A total of four in-person group meetings were held. The transit agencies involved included: Anchorage, Mat-Su Valley, Kenai, Fairbanks, Juneau, Bethel, Ketchikan, Sitka, Girdwood, and Kodiak.

Strategies for Statewide Technology Deployment and Operations

Three collaborative strategies are proposed to deploy and operate technologies throughout the state of Alaska:

Strategy #1: Statewide System Deployment and Operations

Strategy #1 is to pursue statewide development and deployment of those technologies that are only practicable from a statewide perspective. These include those technologies that address universal needs statewide, and those for which data is available statewide. The statewide transit options website and transit features for the 511 phone system are candidates for Strategy #1.

Strategy #2: Centralized System Deployment with Local Device Options

Strategy #2 is to pursue some technology deployments with centralized portions of the technology (e.g. a central server, mapping engine, processing center), and then to deploy localized (site specific) technologies that interface to the centralized portion as appropriate and as funding allows.

Strategy #3: Common Specification – Local Deployment

The third strategy for deployment of some technologies involves local deployment of technologies (where no centralized hosting or sharing of the technology is practicable). However, the transit agencies will collaborate on a statewide level to share specifications and experiences, and possibly purchase products or services together.

Summary of Technologies / Deployment Strategies / Candidate Locations

Deployment Strategy / Transit Technology Solution / Potential Deployment Locations
Initial
(1-3 years) / Secondary
(2-5 years) / Tertiary
(3-8 years)
Strategy #1: Statewide Deployment / Statewide Transit Options Website / Statewide
Statewide 511 Phone Enhancements / Statewide
Strategy #2:
Central System – Local Opt-in / Smart Cards / Sitka,
Mat-Su Valley / Bethel, Kenai, / Fairbanks, Ketchikan
Vehicle Tracking and Display / Fairbanks, Ketchikan / Juneau, Girdwood / Sitka
On-board Surveillance (during incidents) / Girdwood / Juneau, Fairbanks, Kenai, Sitka / Kodiak
Paratransit CAD/AVL/MDT / Kenai, Juneau / Kodiak, Fairbanks / Sitka, Bethel
Strategy #3:
Common Spec. – Local Deployment / Transit Trip Planner / Anchorage,
Juneau / Mat-Su Valley, Sitka, Ketchikan / Bethel, Fairbanks
Full-time video surveillance / Girdwood / Kodiak
Fare and passenger counting systems / Bethel / Mat-Su Valley / Ketchikan, Sitka

Recommended Near Term Next Steps(In no Particular Order)

1.Transit Trip Planning. Prepare fixed route transit schedules in the Google format and submit them to Google for publishing on the Google Transit Trip Planner.

2.Transit Vehicle Tracker. Procure and deploy transit vehicle tracker technologies for multiple transit agencies, similar to the existing University of Alaska, Fairbanks system.

3.Paratransit CAD/AVL. Explore the potential to expand current CAD systems in either: Mat-Su, Kenai, or Juneau to additional agencies. Ultimately, deploy additional features beyond current systems (either adding to current systems or deploying new systems).

4.Transit Options Website. Develop one overall comprehensive transit options website.

5.Smart Cards. Procure a central cost processing center capable of supporting up to 10 transit agencies and numerous funding sources, with pilot deployment in 1-2 agencies.

6.Cameras on Buses. Pilot deployments of cameras on buses in 1-2 transit agencies to assess technical approaches and share findings with other agencies.

7.511 Phone System. Include call transfers to each community transit agency.

1.Introduction

1.1Document Overview

The Alaska Transit Technologies Assessment project has conducted an inventory of existing systems, and an assessment of the needs of transit riders and providers. Based upon the results of these studies, this document presents an overall concept for the deployment of technologies in Alaska.

The user and agency needs are summarized in Table 1.

A series of technology solutions are presentedin Table 2.

Section 2 presents a vision and overall concept for the deployment and use of transit technologies throughout the state of Alaska.

Section 3describes a set of strategies for the deployment of the technologies in a cost effective and practical approach.

Section 4 presents a set of scenarios to illustrate real-world examples of how the technologies will benefit riders and transit agencies.

Finally, in Section 5, a profile of each technology solution describes a case study, local concepts, and a set of high level requirements for each technology. These requirements describe ‘what’ the technologies will perform, but stop short of specifying detailed technical approaches, products or vendors. The intent of the requirements is to be used as a starting point in preparing future vendor/contractor solicitations or contracts.

Appendix A presents a brief summary of the needs that will be addressed by the technology solutions, as presented in previous project deliverables.

1.2Alaska Transit Technology Needs

The needs of transit riders and transit providers were assessed in order to identify those needs that could be addressed by technology solutions. Table 1 summarizes these needs.

Table 1 – Summary of Alaska Transit Needs to be Addressed by Technology

# / Need / Description of Need
1 / Statewide Transit Information / Residents and visitors to Alaska have a need for easily accessible information describing what transit services are available statewide. While many locations provide this information, there is not one source where travelers can receive statewide information.
2 / Transit Trip Planning Assistance / Regardless of the number or complexity of transit routes, travelers unfamiliar with fixed route services need help planning their trips and understanding their options to reach their destination.
3 / Transit Status (and location) Information. / Beyond simply understanding transit options, travelers need more details about their transit vehicle arrival time or trip plans, in order that they may minimize travel time, avoid dangers associated with harsh weather or remote locations, and effectively plan their trip.
4 / On-board Surveillance / The safety and security of bus drivers and riders can be jeopardized by riders who act unruly or unsafe. In some locations, transit agencies need the ability to monitor and store surveillance of actions on and near the bus.
5 / Passenger Tracking / Transit agencies have a need to track the types of riders riding the buses, where they are boarding, and when they are boarding. This information is needed to help better plan services and to quantify the services delivered to various demographics.
6 / Scheduling and Dispatch Assistance / The tools used today to schedule fixed route transit and dispatch paratransit vehicles vary significantly across the transit providers. At least some transit agencies have a need for increased scheduling, tracking and monitoring, and communication tools.
7 / Efficient Payment Processes / Transit agencies need efficient methods for collecting and counting fares with minimal manual intervention. Travelers need convenient methods to pay transit fares.
8 / Technical Support / Transit agencies throughout the state (particularly in rural areas) need technical support in developing, deploying and operating technology systems.

1.3Alaska Statewide Transit Technology Solutions

As a result of a statewide transit technologies inventory and needs assessment, a number of transit technology solutions have been identified for deployment in communities throughout Alaska. This section summarizes each technology solution, and summarizes the communities most likely to deploy each technology.

Table 2 – Summary of Candidate Transit Technology Solutions for Alaska

# / Candidate Technology Solution / Description of Solution
1 / Transit Options Website / A transit options website is a website which provides information describing transit services throughout the state of Alaska. Stakeholders of this project have determined that the transit trip planner would include details of public funded transit services, with links to community web pages where visitors could learn about private transit options. The website would include Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and be an overall source of information. Example: Washington Statewide Travel Options
2 / Transit Trip Planner / A transit trip planner is an online service which allows travelers to specify their desired origin, destination, and departure/arrival time, and receive an itinerary describing the specific bus stop location and time of departure for the bus routes that will help them reach their destination. Transit Trip Planners typically serve fixed route transit services, but may include bus, rail, walking, and biking. Example: Portland, OR Trip Planner
3 / Transit Vehicle Tracking and Display / Vehicle tracking is accomplished by a computer-based tracking system known as Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) systems. AVL systems typically consist of a GPS unit located inside each vehicle, wireless communication from the bus to a central server, and an internet-based software system which displays the vehicle location on-screen to dispatchers and to riders using the internet. Time and location information is saved and stored in the system, and can be utilized to make analyses such as route efficiency and on-time performance. Most systems also have automatic report generation and may allow riders without the Internet to receive updates on bus arrival status. Example: Anchorage People Mover
4 / Paratransit Computer Aided Dispatch / Computer-aided Dispatch (CAD) coupled with Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) and Mobile Data Terminals (MDT) in vehicles (collectively referred to as CAD/AVL/MDT) are proposed to assist dispatchers of paratransit services. These systems process ride requests and create itineraries for drivers, then communicate these itineraries to the MDT in the vehicle, and track vehicles. CAD/AVL/MDT systems also may allow automated (phone or Internet) reservation requests, confirmations, reports and billing.
5 / Smart Cards / Smart cards (Swipe cards) that are tied to on-line accounts allow passengers to pay for transit services without carrying money. They also allow subsidized riders to ride without exchanging funds and while protecting their privacy. A secondary benefit is the ability to track who is riding the system and from what origins. Back-end systems typically bill either a credit card on file or government funding sources to replenish funds.
6 / On-board Surveillance / On-board surveillance systems utilize on-board cameras to capture video images of actions on-board or nearby the bus. These on-board devices can serve to help deter crime, as well as protecting the transit company from false damage claims. Two basic approaches are either to record video continuously while the bus is in operation, and only to download the video if there is a demand to do so, or to have on-board cameras that are able to capture the previous 10 seconds of video in the event that the bus decelerates (i.e. is involved in an incident) or the driver activates the system.
7 / Fixed Route Scheduling Software / Fixed Route Transit Scheduling Software solutions automate portions of the creations and editing of transit routes and schedules. Similar systems have proven to improve vehicle and driver efficiencies, reduces routine scheduling processes, and increase reporting capabilities for the transit operator.
8 / 511 Phone Interface / Alaska is a state with a 511 traveler information system that allows travelers to dial 5-1-1 to be connected to an automated system which disseminates travel information. The 511 phone system could connect travelers to any number of transit technologies, such as fixed route schedule information, Paratransit trip reservations & confirmations, and transit vehicle status.
9 / Technical Support Process / Transit agencies throughout Alaska could benefit from a collaborative technical support process. The concept would involve sharing of ideas, lessons learned, and experiences with technologies. Similarly, agencies with expertise in equipment maintenance or repairs could support other agencies (either by consulting or performing assistance). On-line requests for help, combined with the posting of tutorials could create a ‘library’ of frequently asked questions and answers.

1.4Relating Alaska Transit Agencies to Candidate Technology Solutions

Table 3 below summarizes the transit technology solutions presented in the remainder of this document, together with an indication of the interest level (high, medium, low) from transit agencies, based upon the inventory and user needs assessment.

Table 3: Summary of Agency Interest in Technology Solutions

(L- Low Priority Need; M – Medium Priority Need; H – High Priority Need; E – Technologies Exist to Address Needs)

Transit Technology Solutions / Anchorage / Kodiak / Bethel / Kenai Peninsula / Mat-Su / Girdwood / Fairbanks / Juneau / Ketchikan / Sitka
Transit Trip Planner / M / M / L / H / M / H / H / H
Transit Vehicle Tracking / E / L / M / E / H / H / H / H / H
Paratransit CAD/AVL / E / L / L / H / E / H / H / H
Smart Cards / M / H / M / H / H / M / H / H
On-board Surveillance / E / L / M / M / E / H / E / H / E / M
Transit Options Website / Universal Deployment Planned Statewide
511 Phone Transit Enhancements / Universal Deployment Planned Statewide
Technical Support Processes / Universal Deployment Planned Statewide

2.The Vision for Transit Technology Deployments in Alaska

The vision for the statewide use of transit technologies is that transit technologies will allow residents and visitors to better utilize existing transit services, and will help transit agencies recognize efficiencies that ultimately lead to increased services or cost savings.

2.1The Perspective of Fixed Route Transit Riders

Before heading out, travelers will be able to access several technologies from their home or office while considering or planning a transit trip:

• Travelers unfamiliar with local transit services will benefit from the Transit Options Website (linked from the statewide 511 website). The website will provide descriptions of transit options in each community, links to local transit agency websites, and answers to frequently asked questions about transit options in Alaska.

• If unfamiliar with the area or the fixed route transit service, travelers will benefit from a transit trip planner, allowing them to select their place of origin and destination, and receive a step-by-step set of instructions for which bus routes and stops to take to reach the destination;

• Travelers trying to decide exactly when to depart their home or office will benefit from on-line transit vehicle trackers displaying the location of transit vehicles along the routes. Through on-line map displays of bus locations, travelers will literally be able to see if their bus is approaching their location, and therefore understand if there is a delay and they should therefore remain indoors while awaiting the bus.

• Non Internet users may call 511 from any landline or cellular phone in Alaska and receive similar information to that available on the Internet. While some information (e.g. map displays) is not possible with the phone, other approaches will be used to disseminate as much information as possible.

After heading out, and while en-route:

• Travelers using fixed route transit services with cellular phones will be able to call 511 and speak or touch-tone the bus stop ID, and hear reports of the next scheduled bus departures;

• Travelers with iPhones or Blackberries will be able to view transit maps displaying vehicle locations, or descriptions of their bus status in real-time;

• Travelers may or may not notice the presence of cameras on buses, but the impacts will be increased safety (cameras can help to deter crime), and the ability for transit or law enforcement officials to review incident videos in order to understand what really happened;

• Travelers will have increased options to pay for transit services using swipe cards, to possibly avoid the need to carry change or dollar bills.

2.2The Perspective of Paratransit Riders

Travelers using paratransit services will also notice significant changes:

• Paratransit riders may still call to request rides, but will also have the option for on-line ride requests, using the Internet at home or work;
• Once rides are requested, riders may opt to receive automated telephone calls or emails as reminders and confirmation of their pick-up times;
• If the paratransit vehicle encounters a delay and will be late picking up a rider, the rider will receive an automated call-out phone call alerting them to the delay;
• If riders are anxious about the status of the vehicle coming to pick them up and they call the transit agency, the dispatcher will be able to view the vehicle location, and give an accurate estimate of the actual pick-up time;

• If riders are anxious about the status of the vehicle coming to pick them up and they call the transit agency, the dispatcher will be able to view the vehicle location, and give an accurate estimate of the actual pick-up time;
• Payment of services will be improved through swipe cards, protecting riders’ privacy while ensuring that transit agencies can receive payment from the appropriate sources.

2.3The Perspective of Transit Agencies

The management, dispatchers, drivers, and support persons at transit agencies will experience: