QUEENS VILLAGE: A QUANTUM JUMP IN BUS CONTROL/COMMUNICATIONS (NEW YORK CITY)

Implemented in April 1979, the Radio-Data-Locator System automatically monitors each bus in the Queens Village Depot fleet (New York City Transit Authority). Two-way radio frequency channels, each operating on a pair of 470 MHz frequencies, link a solid-state voice raido and piggyback data package onboard the bus to transmitters strategically located on signposts along the 12 local and express routes. The signposts, from which a location code number is continually transmitted at low power on a VHF frequency, are linked to the East New York Bus Command Center computer via the radio. As the radio transmits, vehicle identity (four-digit bus serial number representing route and run number) and location are automatically displayed (video display terminal) for the Command Center dispatcher. Through its program and memory and an elapsed time generator in the bus data package, the computer uses an average speed to update the real-time bus location between signposts. Polling any of the 230 fleet buses every 90 sec., the computer monitors route, schedule adherence, and mechanical sensor alarms. Buses can be called selectively, in groups, or on an all-call basis, for voice communications. The computer also promptly develops hardcopy reports (e.g. on major headway and schedule deviations). With the Radio-Data-Locator System, there has been a marked reduction in passenger complaints.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Conference held in Dearborn, Michigan, 15-17 September 1980. Also published in HS-030 396 (IEEE-80CH1601-4; SAE-SP-90), "Convergence 80. IEEE Vehicular Technology Society Annual Conference (30th), International Conference on Transportation Electronics Proceedings," Utica, Michigan, 1980.
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

  Operations Center, 445 Hoes Lane, P.O. Box 1331
  Piscataway, NJ  United States  08855-1331

  Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

  400 Commonwealth Drive
  Warrendale, PA  United States  15096
• Authors:
  • Dornfeld, S
• Publication Date: 1980

Media Info

• Pagination: 7 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automatic vehicle monitoring; Bus transportation; Command guidance; Communication; Communication systems; Computers; Control systems; Dispatching; Identification systems; Location; Onboard navigational aids; Public transit; Radio
• Identifier Terms: New York City Transit Authority
• Uncontrolled Terms: Identification; Transit services
• Old TRIS Terms: Command systems; On board; Two way communication
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Highways; Motor Carriers; Operations and Traffic Management; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00381418
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: IEEE-80CH1601-4, HS-030 442, SAE-SP-90
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Feb 29 1984 12:00AM