CARTS Demand Response Vehicles - Transit Vehicle Functionality

Subsystem Description

The Transit Vehicle Subsystem (TRVS) resides in a transit vehicle and provides the sensory, processing, storage, and communications functions necessary to support safe and efficient movement of passengers. The types of transit vehicles containing this subsystem include buses, paratransit vehicles, light rail vehicles, other vehicles designed to carry passengers, and supervisory vehicles. The subsystem collects accurate ridership levels and supports electronic fare collection. The subsystem supports a traffic signal prioritization function that communicates with the roadside subsystem to improve on-schedule performance. Automated vehicle location functions enhance the information available to the Transit Management Subsystem enabling more efficient operations. On-board sensors support transit vehicle maintenance. The subsystem supports on-board security and safety monitoring. This monitoring includes transit user or vehicle operator activated alarms (silent or audible), as well as surveillance and sensor equipment. The surveillance equipment includes video (e.g. CCTV cameras), audio systems and/or event recorder systems. The sensor equipment includes threat sensors (e.g. chemical agent, toxic industrial chemical, biological, explosives, and radiological sensors) and object detection sensors (e.g. metal detectors). In addition, the subsystem supports vehicle operator authentication prior to operation of the vehicle and remote vehicle disabling. The subsystem also furnishes travelers with real-time travel information, continuously updated schedules, transfer options, routes, and fares.

Functional Area: On-board Connection Protection

Monitors vehicle schedule performance and provides it to the transit center for connection protection processing. Also recognizes travelers who have arranged for connection protection and provides information regarding them to the transit center.

Functional Area: On-board Maintenance

On-board systems to collect and process transit vehicle maintenance data including mileage and vehicle operating conditions for use in scheduling future vehicle maintenance.

Functional Area: On-board Paratransit Operations

On-board systems to manage paratransit and flexible-route dispatch requests, including multi-stop runs. Passenger data is collected and provided to the center.

Functional Area: On-board Transit Fare Management

On-board systems provide fare collection using a travelers non-monetary fare medium. Collected fare data are made available to the center.

Functional Area: On-board Transit Security

On-board video/audio surveillance systems, threat sensors, and object detection sensors to enhance security and safety on-board a transit vehicles. Also includes silent alarms activated by transit user or vehicle operator, operator authentication, and remote vehicle disabling.

Functional Area: On-board Transit Trip Monitoring

Support fleet management with automatic vehicle location (AVL) and automated mileage and fuel reporting and auditing.