Vehicle Tracking: Going Beyond Location

This article, part of a special issue focusing on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) discusses current trends in automatic vehicle location (AVL) technology as it is used for buses. While early adoption of AVL was keyed toward dispatching and passenger service, now, operational considerations are being added, including security and more efficient use of assets. Cutting idling time, monitoring vehicles for maintenance and real-time tracking for safety are some of the newer applications. Electronic boundaries can be set up to alert operators when a vehicle strays outside a prescribed area. The author describes various considerations to be weighed when selecting a system and designing how it will be implemented. Costs of different monitoring technologies (satellite, radio or cellular) can vary depending on fleet size and geographic area to be covered. Service adjustments can improve accuracy of published schedules, and provide more accurate pictures of schedule adherence. The article includes a list of companies that offer a range of products.