Making ITS solutions available/affordable to rural applications—the Kansas model
Intelligent transportation systems—such as advanced scheduling systems, real-time vehicle location, and advanced data communications technologies—can help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of transit services. Until recently, however, the cost and complexity of these systems placed them out of reach of most smaller communities. The Kansas Transit Rural ITS project is designed to change that, said Mark Gallagher of SRF Consulting .
The project, begun in 2001 and expected to end next year, is making advanced technologies available to local transit agencies through wide area networking and wireless data communications. Advances in database design and networks, Gallagher said, allow multiple communities to take advantage of centralized transit and paratransit management tools for a fraction of the costs of individual deployments.
To move in this direction, the Kansas DOT contracted with SRF to assess the state's needs, plan for service deployment, and conduct system acceptance. Survey results showed, for example, that 21 of 70 rural systems have budgets less than $100,000 per year, and 22 of 70 have fewer than 25,000 riders annually.
Among the advantages of the new system are:
- real-time manifest changes for paratransit services
- real-time trip confirmation for customers
- improved route efficiency
- improved safety through "emergency-button" devices on vehicles
- more complete, more timely reporting for funding and performance analysis
KDOT ranked fleet management—including automatic vehicle location and mapping—the highest priority, followed by systems operations tools such as computer-aided dispatch, mobile data terminals, and advanced reporting.
Long-term costs are expected to decline due in part to shared technical support staff and common software. For just the largest 18 providers alone, Gallagher said, savings could be pretty impressive: a 30 percent total cost reduction. Another benefit is that the system would look seamless to riders and be simpler to access.
Future project directions include automated statewide monitoring, improved performance analysis, intercarrier coordination and multicarrier electronic payment systems.
For more about the project, contact Gallagher at mgallagher@srfconsulting.com.
Source material adapted with permission from Mark Gallagher.