Transit Operation Decision Support System (TODSS) Demonstration

Many transit agencies have installed fleet management systems (i.e., Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) / Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) Systems) to support real time operations. These systems generate large quantities of data and dispatchers often do not have enough time to digest the data for decision making in a normal operating environment and/or they are unable to recognize patterns of operational problems. Transit Operations Decision Support Systems (TODSS) are systems designed to support dispatchers and others in real-time operations management in response to incidents, special events, and other changing conditions in order to improve operating speeds, reduce passenger wait times, and restore service when disruptions occur. As part of a joint Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Joint Program Office (JPO) effort, the "Core Functional Requirements For Identification Of Service Disruptions And Provision Of Service Restoration Options" was completed in May 2003. However, no transit fleet management system in the U.S. currently incorporates the TODSS core functional requirements for either service disruption identification or provision of service restoration options. This project Implements and tests the viability of the core requirements in a prototype TODSS system. Project outcome: The prototype TODSS was accepted and became operational in March 2009. The core functional requirements were validated, and the system is producing many benefits including a drastic reduction in the number of data messages (e.g., service disruptions) to dispatchers and the provision of uniform service restoration responses by dispatchers within and among Pace's divisions.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Program Information: National Research Program, National Research, Intelligent Transportation Systems. Link to project: http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/Technical_Memorandum_TODSS_Core_Requirements_Evaluation_and_Update_Recommendations_Final_Report_v4_(final)_(2).pdf

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $600000.00
• Sponsor Organizations:

  Federal Transit Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Research and Innovative Technology Administration

  ITS - Joint Program Office
  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC    20590
• Project Managers:

  Mortensen, Steven

• Performing Organizations:

  Suburban Bus Division - RTA

  ,    

  Pace Suburban Bus Service

  550 W Algonquin Road
  Arlington Heights, IL  United States  60005

  Regional Transportation Authority of Northeastern Illinois

  Chicago, IL  United States 
• Principal Investigators:

  Braband, John

• Start Date: 20091231
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 20100223
• Source Data: RiP Project 34867

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Advanced driver information systems; Automatic vehicle location; Decision making; Decision support systems; Intelligent transportation systems; Public transit; Real time information; Transit operating agencies
• Uncontrolled Terms: Computer aided dispatch (CAD)
• Subject Areas: Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01489199
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Department of Transportation
• Files: RIP
• Created Date: Aug 4 2013 1:00AM