Transit Bus Systems Data Exchange Challenges

This paper describes how the primary goal of transit agencies is to move the maximum number of passengers safely within the shortest possible time, with minimum operating cost. In addition, to be successful in this goal, agencies need to encourage prospective passengers to use transit service by providing a reliable service with good customer information systems. As the environment becomes more technical in nature, expectations of passengers have grown significantly. In order to propagate accurate information in a timely manner transit agencies increasingly rely on technological solutions. Passengers and other stakeholders now expect real-time information on the service, on mobile devices or on the web. This information can include items such as minute by minute physical location of transit vehicle, anticipated arrival times and potential delays. New information sharing portals for stop annunciation systems and information displays need to serve regular passengers as well as those with special needs due to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations. In addition to the passengers, management needs accurate information on ridership, fare collection, schedule adherence, headways, asset utilization, etc. for providing quality and efficient service and future planning. Due to the lack of standards, and slow implementation of Transit Communications Interface Profiles (TCIP) standards for data exchange, necessary integration of on-board and back-office systems for achieving the goal of providing better information can be challenging. At its heart, the process of integrating transit technology systems becomes not just a problem of systems integration, but also that of successful business process changes.