How Streets Enabled Butte Regional Transit to Make More Efficient Schedules

• 分析与建模 - 实时分析
• 功能应用 - 远程监控系统
• 网络与连接 - 蜂窝

• 城市与自治市
• 运输

• 设施管理
• 物流运输

• 车队管理
• 预测性维护
• 公共交通管理
• 实时定位系统 (RTLS)

• 软件设计与工程服务
• 系统集成
• 培训

Jim determined that there were a number of key areas in which fixed route software could empower his agency. His number one concern was bus tracking. Not having access to bus locations makes everyone’s job harder. For example, if a rider were to call in asking about an arrival time, it was very difficult for Jim and his team to pass on accurate information. As well, there was no way to see if a problem was developing on a route, without having to contact drivers directly. If a bus was falling behind schedule, it might go entirely undetected until complaint calls started to pour in. Without accurate tracking information, it was difficult to monitor the efficiency of routes. Jim needed a solution that could provide data to enhance multiple areas of concern. What he discovered was that Streets can provide the ability to not only monitor buses, but also to collect key data in order to make his operation more efficient.

Butte Regional Transit (B-Line) provides public transit and ADA complementary paratransit service across Butte County in California. They operate approximately 36 fixed route buses on around 20 fixed routes. Over the years, they have spent a great deal of time studying the efficiency of their transit system and to understand the needs of their ridership. Heading various initiatives to improve service to riders is Jim Peplow, Senior Planner, Transit Operations. He has been involved with the development and beta-testing of the TripSpark fixed route software suite, Streets ITS since very early on. Although already a user of TripSpark demand response products, B-Line implemented an early version of Streets in December of 2010. Much of the development of our fixed route software products has come from the insight and input of our partners. Jim was instrumental in providing feedback in the early stages of the Streets build and he continues to contribute to its ongoing development.

Before the ruggedized Ranger in-vehicle mobile data terminals were installed, Jim was unable to monitor schedules in real time using AVL (Automated Vehicle Location) data. He needed to rely on dispatchers to tell him where buses were, resulting in a slow-down when it came to dealing with issues. Jim claims he can now simply “call dispatchers up and ask why a bus is running 20 minutes late.” He can even monitor buses in real time to verify schedule adherence from his own desk. Having hard data is also instrumental in being able to determine if a change to a route is needed. Earlier this year Jim made key decisions to significantly modify then-current routes. His decisions were based entirely on the information drawn from Streets. In particular, he tracked headway times and could determine the precise amount of time it took for a bus to get from one stop to the next. This information revealed trends that led to the modification and improvement to certain routes. B-Line offers a number of ways for riders to have access to transit information. Their B-Line Tracker System allows riders to text a unique bus stop ID in order to receive information about when their bus will arrive. Check out their cool video ad that shows how their B-Line Tracker works for receiving text updates. In the past, the operators received a great number of “where’s my bus” calls. Riders can now get incredibly accurate estimates about bus arrival times sent directly to their phones, all without having to wait in on-hold queues. “People really like it and they use it a lot. It’s a very popular feature,” reports Jim.

• Jim can now monitor buses in real time to verify schedule adherence from his own desk.
• Having hard data is instrumental in determining if a change to a route is needed.
• B-Line Tracker System allows riders to text a unique bus stop ID to receive information about when their bus will arrive.

• B-Line operates approximately 36 fixed route buses on around 20 fixed routes.