[November 27, 2007]

Waiting for bus could become less annoying: GPS system would track vehicles' progress, estimate arrival

(Stamford Advocate, The (Stamford, CT) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Nov. 27--STAMFORD -- At the Stamford train station, it soon may be easier to find out when the next bus will arrive.

As part of the construction of the Urban Transitway, city officials are seeking a contractor to install technology at bus stops that will tell commuters where their bus is and when it should arrive.

The project also will allow buses that are running late around the transitway to get a priority green traffic signal, said Mani Poola, a city traffic engineer.

The technology "would be linked to the schedule," Poola said. "There will be a central command . . . used to trigger the system."

The end product could mean a more efficient bus system that helps commuters make the best transit choices, Poola said.

The system will use Global Positioning Satellite technology, a communications network that is growing in popularity with bus operators statewide, Poola said.

Other amenities that could be included in the project are video boards near the train station detailing traffic conditions on Interstate 95, and signs indicating how many parking spaces are available at nearby garages.

The city is seeking proposals from contractors until Dec. 7, according to the Request for Qualifications posting. The Urban Transitway, which broke ground earlier this fall, is a massive, mile-long road project connecting the city's East Side with the train station.

City officials have touted the transitway as a gateway to a revitalized South End mixed with new housing, offices and retail within walking distance of the train station. Antares Investment Partners plans to build an 80-acre development there once the transitway is complete.

The transitway project would be the first use of GPS technology for buses in Stamford, but other Fairfield County operators are implementing systems.

Two years ago, the Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority was awarded a $3 million state grant to start a demonstration GPS project. Authority officials hope installation will be complete by spring, said Ronald Kilcoyne, the chief executive officer.

The system will allow commuters to get real-time information about buses on the authority's Web site, Kilcoyne said. An electronic board at the main bus depot in downtown Bridgeport also will contain real-time information, he said. "This will ultimately be the standard for all transit systems," Kilcoyne said. "It's like how it was with two-way radio 20 years ago. This fits into the same category because ultimately" everyone will have GPS.

Louis Schulman, administrator for Norwalk Transit, said he is looking into GPS for that bus system, but his company still is building ridership and would need money for new technology.

"It's a valuable way for keeping touch with your passengers," Schulman said. "We're all looking at GPS systems." Advocates for better bus service said they are closely watching GPS technology.

"We're very intrigued by having a system that is GPS linked," said Joseph McGee, vice president of public policy for the Business Council of Fairfield County and a member of the Transit for Connecticut coalition. "We haven't been looking closely at the Stamford transitway, so we should probably start bringing that up on our agenda."

To see more of The Stamford Advocate, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.stamfordadvocate.com.

Copyright (c) 2007, The Stamford Advocate, Conn.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]

Discussions: