Module 6: Public transit technology and trends

1. Module 6: Public transit technology and trends

2. Module 6, Lesson 1 Impact of Evolving Technology on Public Transportation

3. Introduction to Public TransportationModule 6 • Lesson 1: Impact of Evolving Technology on Public Transportation • Lesson 2: Trends Affecting Public Transportation

4. Overall Context • While public transportation is a community service in a labor-intensive industry, it nonetheless, uses and benefits from the deployment of new technologies and innovative materials. Specifically, propulsion technologies, computerization and wireless communication technologies are critical factors in the delivery of public transit services. • Public transit deployment of these new technologies enables public transit to better attain numerous goals including enhanced safety, more efficient use of resources, enhance customer convenience, operator and customer safety and cost effective operations of transit services.

5. Learning Objectives Understand how various impact areas are influenced by technology trends and offers examples of some of the specific applications within the transit industry • Safety • Environmental • Customer convenience • Cost-effectiveness

6. Impact of Evolving Technology on Public Transportation Principal impact area Examples Technology Trend • Sensor technology, video monitoring, clean fuels, incident detection Safety Computing photovoltaic cells, generation of hydrogen; battery powered vehicles; wind turbine; fuel cells, hybrids, Wireless communications Environmental impacts Real time publishing, real-time bus information Mobile Applications Customer convenience Advanced/alternative materials Energy generation/ propulsion technology Electronic payment, Smart cards and other fare payment methods, AVL, APC Cost effectiveness

7. Impact of Evolving Technology on Public Transportation Principal impact area Examples Technology Trend • Sensor technology, video monitoring, clean fuels, incident detection Safety Computing photovoltaic cells, generation of hydrogen; battery powered vehicles; wind turbine; fuel cells, hybrids, Wireless communications Environmental impacts Real time publishing, real-time bus information Mobile Applications Customer convenience Advanced/alternative materials Energy generation/ propulsion technology Electronic payment, Smart cards and other fare payment methods, AVL, APC Cost effectiveness

8. Security Cameras • Provides evidence for accidents • Reduces false injury claims • Deters crime • Protects passengers and drivers Video footage released by TriMet in Portland, OR after a near-miss of a bicyclist

9. Hazard Detection Cameras Side mounted cameras allow buses to reduce blind spots Visible to mirror Blind to mirror

10. Hazard Detection Cameras Vehicle visible in camera Vehicle not visible in mirror Side mounted cameras allow buses to reduce blind spots

11. Threat Detection Cameras Improves visibility at night

12. Threat Detection Cameras Improves visibility during inclement weather

13. Cameras at Stations Helps deter crime while passengers wait for transit vehicles Camera outside WMATA Subway Station Camera on a NYC subway platform Camera outside WMATA subway station

14. Impact of Evolving Technology on Public Transportation Principal impact area Examples Technology Trend • Sensor technology, video monitoring, clean fuels, incident detection Safety Computing photovoltaic cells, generation of hydrogen; battery powered vehicles; wind turbine; fuel cells, hybrids, Wireless communications Environmental impacts Real time publishing, real-time bus information Mobile Applications Customer convenience Advanced/alternative materials Energy generation/ propulsion technology Electronic payment, Smart cards and other fare payment methods, AVL, APC Cost effectiveness

15. Hybrid Vehicles • Can use diesel, compressed natural gas, hydrogen, or gasoline • Higher MPG than traditional diesel buses • Higher capital costs • May require modifications in maintenance facilities and equipment, fueling facilities and equipment, maintenance and operator training, etc. • Can offer lower cost and more stable pricing for fuels • Provides positive “clean” public image for the agency Vail, CO Hybrid Bus

16. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Vehicles • Uses natural gas which is cheaper than diesel • Emits fewer pollutants than diesel • Requires construction of fueling stations • Higher vehicle purchase cost WMATA CNG Bus

17. Electric Vehicles • No tailpipe emissions • Can be powered using renewable energy • Can be wired or wireless • Lower maintenance costs, higher purchasing costs • More research needed on battery development for broader wireless deployment Seattle Trolley Bus (wired) All Electric Bus

18. Hydrogen Vehicles • Can be used directly or as fuel cell • Fuel can be derived from any compound containing hydrogen • Only emission from fuel cell is water • Very expensive • Limited range • No fuel distribution system

19. Vehicle Design Today’s buses use lighter materials to reduce vehicle weight The CompoBus built by New Flyer features composite fiberglass instead of steel Lightweight hybrid e-Traction bus

20. Hybrid Vehicles

21. Impact of Evolving Technology on Public Transportation Principal impact area Examples Technology Trend • Sensor technology, video monitoring, clean fuels, incident detection Safety Computing photovoltaic cells, generation of hydrogen; battery powered vehicles; wind turbine; fuel cells, hybrids, Wireless communications Environmental impacts Real time publishing, real-time bus information Mobile Applications Customer convenience Advanced/alternative materials Energy generation/ propulsion technology Electronic payment, Smart cards and other fare payment methods, AVL, APC Cost effectiveness

22. Electronic Payment • Passengers can load payment on smart cards for use with multiple regional transit agencies • Can store electronic transfers • Reload cards at ticket machines or online • Some systems allow direct fare payment with credit/debit cards or cell phones

23. Real-Time Publishing Publish arrival information online to allow for easy trip planning TriMet’s MAX arrival times on Google Maps

24. Real-Time Bus/Train Information • Reduces passenger waiting time at stops • Enhances passenger satisfaction/comfort BART’s platform arrival signs Univ. of S. Florida’s bus tracking system

25. Mobile Applications

26. Augmented Reality • New York’s Nearest Subway • Makes it easier to use system

27. Real-Time Alerts • Alerts passengers via email or text message of service delays • Allows customers to make alternate plans WMATA’s Alert System

28. Next Stop Announcements • Automated audio/visual announcements help the disabled and those unfamiliar with the area NYC Transit subway stop display Seattle next stop display

29. Social Media Allows agencies to connect with riders

30. Smart Parking • Deployable at Park and Ride lots • Increases customer satisfaction • Reduces emissions • Reduces time spent finding a space to park Parking signs at BWI Airport Parking Information for Metro

31. Impact of Evolving Technology on Public Transportation Principal impact area Examples Technology Trend • Sensor technology, video monitoring, clean fuels, incident detection Safety Computing photovoltaic cells, generation of hydrogen, battery powered vehicles, wind turbine, fuel cells, hybrids Wireless communications Environmental impacts Real time publishing, real-time bus information Mobile Applications Customer convenience Advanced/alternative materials Energy generation/ propulsion technology Electronic payment, Smart cards and other fare payment methods, AVL, APC Cost effectiveness

32. Automatic Passenger Counting (APC) • Allows for on/off boarding counts • Useful for creating ridership profiles and performing other analyses Actual APC Unit How the APC works

33. Train Control Technology • Reduces space between trains to increase capacity • Allows trains to run driver-less saving on operating costs Sample rail system traffic control display

34. Transit Signal Priority • Buses or trains running in mixed traffic can request priority treatment at an intersection • Signals can grant extra green time or a shorter red time to get transit vehicle through intersection quicker • Some systems will request priority only when bus is late

35. Vehicle Navigation • Some buses deploy technology to automatically drive the bus and dock buses a correct distance from stops Cameras follow the lines that steer the vehicle Magnets embedded in the ground guide vehicles along the roadway

36. Energy Storage - Wayside • SEPTA in Philadelphia currently experimenting • Stores energy from braking trains in batteries stored at a substation • Pumps energy back into system when needed • Pilot has resulted in 10% reduction in energy usage (about $1.5 million savings) SEPTA Substation

37. Energy Storage – On-Board • Batteries, flywheels, or super capacitors placed on vehicles • Improves aesthetics (removes catenary wire) • Charging via: • Capturing braking energy • Intermittent overhead wires • Underground induction systems • Charging stations at stops Example of super capacitor

38. Conclusions • While transit remains a labor-intensive industry there are many opportunities to deploy new and evolving technologies. • Technology deployment offers a host of benefits including safety, customer convenience, environmental and energy benefits, and productivity and cost savings. • Technology deployment requires highly skilled professionals and care when deploying technologies in harsh environments. • The rapid pace of change in technology can challenge investment strategies dependent on incremental changes and slow and complex funding and project approval processes.

39. Conclusions • Technology deployment can enhance the industry’s image with passengers, the public, and employees. • Cost benefit analysis is critical to ensure prudent deployment of advanced technologies. • Transit industry human resource strategies will have to acknowledge the need to attract and retain professionals with technical competencies to procure, operate and maintain evolving technologies.