Transit Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in Small Canadian Communities: Opportunities and Challenges

The concept of transit Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) encompasses a wide range of technologies, including voice and data communications, automatic vehicle location, computer-assisted dispatching, real-time customer information systems, transit signal priority, on-board data collection and video surveillance systems, and smart card electronic payment systems. Although these technologies offer a wide range of potential applications, transit systems face difficult questions when trying to assess the benefits of, and plan for, advanced technology. Small transit systems have perhaps the greatest difficulty and face considerable challenges, including lack of information, lack of staff and specialized expertise, lack of models to guide the planning/implementation process, lack of interest from the supplier community, and uncertainty over objectives, benefits, and costs. This study explores opportunities and challenges related to transit ITS in small Canadian communities, particularly conventional transit systems with fleets of between 10 and 90 buses. The approach used for this study involved a North American literature search and review of sources of information, a national survey of small transit system managers in Canada, and interviews with transit system managers and other experts. The report provides several recommendations and identifies areas for future research.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transport Canada

  Transportation Development Centre
  Place de Ville, Tower C, 330 Sparks Street, 26th Floor
  Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5  Canada 

  Brendon Hemily and Associates

  107 Chester Avenue
  Toronto, Ontario  Canada  M4K 2Z8
• Authors:
  • Hemily, Brendon
• Publication Date: 2006-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 53p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automatic data collection systems; Automatic vehicle location; Intelligent transportation systems; Passenger information systems; Public transit; Real time information; Small cities; Smart cards; Technological innovations; Traffic signal preemption
• Geographic Terms: Canada
• Subject Areas: Operations and Traffic Management; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01118020
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: TP 14631E
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 30 2008 12:37PM