Presentation_ID © 2008 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 1

The Connected Bus
Project
Peter Albert,
Deputy Director, SFMTA Planning
02 | 04 | 2008 | SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
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Automatic Vehicle Location Global Positioning: receives GPS data
from satellite for passenger information system.
Automatic Vehicle Location Cellular Transmission: transmits GPS
Applies to data, receives configuration data for passenger information system.
Digital Voice announcement System: receives GPS data from second
12 Central GPS satellite for on-board digital voice announcements.
400MHz Radio: transmits, receives information from Operator radio to
Processing the Operations Control Central, same need for planned 800Mhz upgrade.
Units and Fleetwatch: transmits mileage data from vehicle to maintenance system
to calculate preventive maintenance cycles.
Antennae: TransLink® Regional Fare Collection System: transmits/receives fare
data and rider smart card information from central fare collection system.
Automatic Passenger Counter: transmits passenger load information
from vehicle to central passenger counting system.
Vehicle Health Monitor: transmits engine and transmission data to
central maintenance system alerting potential mechanical problems.
Closed Circuit TV Cameras: plans to transmit real time video from
vehicle to central operations location for safety/security monitoring.
Farebox: plans to transmit farebox data from vehicle to central farebox
system for cash fares.
Signal Priority: plans to transmit data from vehicle to traffic signal
controller for prioritizing transit vehicles.
Operator Training: plans to transmit data from inertia device on vehicles
to central training system to monitor operator performance.
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1. Compliance with FTA standards
Use of Fed funds for Intelligent Transportation Systems requires
Connected compliance with interoperability standards.
Connected Bus enables:
Bus • Connecting to one std device for bus and rail.
Justifications • Fewer on-board devices = fewer points of failure.
• Integration of APC, and Transit Signal Priority, etc.
• Upgrade one device rather than multiple on-board devices
2. Reduction of Emissions
Reduced Dwell Time
Timely Maintenance
Efficient On-Street Operation
Enhanced Rider Experience (real-time info, enhanced safety).
3. Improved Muni Reliability
Measured by following TEP criteria:
Schedule Accuracy (link GPS to APC)
Operator Availability (AVL for headways, missed runs).
Vehicle Reliability (vehicle health, reporting-out data)
Supervisorial Coverage (AVL/GPS, vehicle health, APC)
Congestion Management (signal timing, cameras, etc.)
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Frequent Muni Customer:
Unreliability, overcrowding, environmental “martyrs”
• More accessible on-bus real-time information, including
Who Benefits status of connecting lines
From • Integrate real-time arrival info and passenger counts
Connected manages loading conditions and transfers.
• Market Environmental Benefits
Bus? • Integrate project with lifestyle benefits: trip planning at
home or office, or in connecting errands and leisure
activities to commute trips.
New/First Time Muni Customer:
• Unsure Muni is reliable/comfortable, enticed by
technological innovation with a Green emphasis:
• Market “Fun” Programs, including on board interaction
with Real-Time data display
• Market “Green” Programs rewarding new riders by
counting environmental benefit per rider
• On-Line Trackability: potential riders can follow routes
online, more confident to switch to transit.
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Muni Operators and Fleet Managers:
Stress, uncertainty, lack of info affects morale
• Communication between Operator and Control Center
Who Benefits (crowding conditions on connecting buses, equipment
From health, traffic conditions)
Connected • Real-time display of approaching destinations, transfer
points, connecting buses mollify customers.
Bus? • Combine data on transfer volumes, Translink use,
passenger loads helps make service change decisions
Non-Muni Rider:
• Depends upon improved Muni for lifestyle benefits
• Track a child’s real time trip on Muni with using a mobile
device
• Hotel Concierge directing visitors to destinations with
greater confidence
• Promotion of “Green” Innovations inspires popular
support = more future political support
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• Improved public transportation experience
• Increased use of public transportation
• Reduced environmental footprint for San Francisco
Making • Integration of public transportation resources
Connected • Leverage of best practices in all related core areas
Bus a • Leverage of industry standards developed by others
• Presenting pilot project material with meaningful content
Success • Able to feed solid content into the CUD program
• Citizen engagement
• Media exposure and increased awareness of the Project
• Transferable to installation throughout Muni fleet
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