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June 2002
Transit initiatives look SMART
Steve McLaird
Wayne Babcock
Metro Transit officials presented conference attendees with a glimpse into the future at an afternoon session May 22 titled "SMART Transit Initiatives for the 21st Century."
First, Steve McLaird, transit control center assistant manager, gave an overview of a University-developed lane-assist project where buses, rigged with the latest navigational systems, take maximum advantage of narrow freeway shoulders and other dedicated lanes. McLaird described the bus rapid transit project, cosponsored by the Federal Transit Administration and implemented by researchers at the ITS Institute, as "right on the edge." Ultimately, the technology promises to increase bus safety while improving efficiency, such as through higher speeds and quicker boarding.
Also on the horizon, implemented as soon as next year, are high-tech fare-collection systems using smart cards, which contain an integrated circuit with an embedded microprocessor. The benefits of such technology, according to engineering and facilities project manager Jim Alexander, stem mainly from increased boarding speeds and the facilitation of multimodal trips. Specifically, smart cards store value, offer a number of easy ways to add more value, and track detailed transit information. In addition, they can be used for other purposes, such as parking, small-value general sales, and with vending applications.
Finally, Wayne Babcock introduced the new Metro Transit control center. TCC recently relocated into a space four times larger and upgraded to state-of-the-art communications and computer equipment. The changes are aimed at improving bus safety and security, route schedule adherence, service quality, and staff productivity.