Smart Bus Information
The regional smart bus demonstration project was a joint King County Metro/Sound Transit effort to evaluate the next generation of bus information systems. The project was in operation from October 2001 through January 2002. A 40' Gillig was used on ST Express Route 570 and a new Flyer articulated bus, was in service on selected Metro routes 5, 7, 54, 55, 167 and a downtown circulator bus. The demonstration included regular weekday service and it did not work on weekends, holidays or non-demonstration routes.
  What is a "smart" bus?
Why are new systems needed?
What do smart buses do and what does that mean for you?
Will smart buses cost more?
Regional Smart Bus Demonstration Project Evaluation Report
Do you have a comment about "smart" bus?
What is a "smart" bus?
This "smart" bus was part of a joint project, undertaken by King County Metro and Sound Transit, to evaluate the next generation of on-board bus electronics and data systems.
Using a new, integrated, multi-function computer and communications system, smart buses have on-board capabilities that monitor and report on the operational and maintenance status of the bus, as well as its current location and schedule.
Under this initial test, the equipment was installed and operated on one bus in each of the Metro and Sound Transit fleets for a period of four months beginning in October, 2001. These buses operated on a variety of routes throughout the service areas.
Data obtained was used to make decisions about systems to improve transit service and information for riders and to deliver the best possible transportation value for the taxpayers of our region.
Why are new systems needed?
Key equipment on Metro-operated buses needs to be replaced. This equipment includes mobile data terminals, two-way radio and automated vehicle location systems, and public address systems.
In some cases, the equipment is reaching the end of its expected life cycle and compatible equipment is no longer available on the market. In other instances, the equipment doesn't meet current Federal standards.
The systems that were tested on the smart buses represented existing, "off the shelf" technology that is being used successfully by other transit agencies around the country and was adapted for use in our region.
The new, integrated, multi-function computer and communications systems will cost about half as much as trying to replace the current stand-alone data and communications systems one-by-one. The new smart bus systems are expected to enable Metro and Sound Transit to improve the mechanical and schedule reliability of buses, as well as the service and information provided to riders, as they have in other U.S. cities.
The smart bus demonstration evaluated the costs and benefits of the new technologies and will set the stage for a smooth transition to the next generation of systems for the transit agencies in our region.
What do smart buses do and what does that mean for you?
What do smart buses do? |
What does that mean for you? |
- Provide computerized vehicle performance data to predict maintenance needs and reduce the number of unexpected breakdowns
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- More dependable bus service
- Longer vehicle life and reduced maintenance costs for efficient use of tax dollars
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- Speed bus trips along major transportation corridors using an enhanced traffic signal priority system that engages only when needed to maintain schedules
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- Faster bus trips
- Improved on-time performance
- Impact on other vehicles at traffic signals is minimized
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Improve information provided to riders:
- Automatically announce the next stop and display this information on a sign inside the bus
- Provide larger, brighter information signs outside the bus
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- Accurate bus information
- Consistent, reliable timing of announcements and displayed information
- Better service for the hearing- and visually-impaired that meets Federal standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
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- Automatically count passengers to provide timely, accurate rider and trip information for more effective transportation planning
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- Ensures that future transportation services are provided when and where they are needed most
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Will smart buses cost more?
No. They will cost less. Equipment for the new smart bus integrated computer systems will cost less than half what it will cost to replace the separate systems.
Experience with smart buses also indicates they can be expected to produce substantial cost-savings in areas such as labor required for inspections, maintenance and systems programming, as well as to reduce costs due to more proactive preventive maintenance.
Regional Smart Bus Demonstration Project Evaluation Report
In October 2001 through January 2002, King County Metro Transit and Sound Transit conducted the Regional Smart bus Demonstration Project - Phase 1, a short term, limited demonstration of off-the-shelf smart bus technology on two transit coaches. This report evaluates the results of the demonstration project, with an emphasis on technical approach, transit business impacts, and lessons learned from the demonstration.
You can read the report either as a .PDF file [465 kb, 79 pgs], or as HTML on the web.
If your web browser does not have a viewer defined for PDF formatted files, please download the appropriate reader [external link], courtesy of Adobe.
To review Sound Transit's Regional Smart Bus Demonstration Evaluation, visit the Regional Transit Technology Group web site. [external link]
Do you have a comment about "smart" bus?
If you have comments about the smart bus, please contact King County Metro at 206-553-3060, TTY users call 206-684-2029, or send an email to customer.comments@kingcounty.gov
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