The introduction of automatic vehicles location (AVL) systems is increasing throughout the UK. Intended to impact positively upon the operations, control and planning of bus services, the most visible impact has been the proliferation of real time bus stop information for the passenger. The evaluation of the benefits of the latter has been the subject of much debate, though the evaluation of their impacts upon operations and planning has attracted much less attention. This paper is intended to open up the debate on the impact of AVL on bus service operations and planning, and therefore the evaluation of such systems. The paper will report specifically upon the introduction of the GEC Bustracker introduction of the GEC Bustracker system in Southampton as part of the DRIVE II ROMANSE Project, though will also discuss the experience of systems being introduced in other areas of the UK. The paper will focus upon findings from observation and depth interviews with bus controllers and managers, carried out both before and after implementation of the system, which highlighted the reality of introduction of AVL. In particular the impact of the system on controller working practice will be addressed, together with the potential barriers which may hinder such systems' effective introduction. In highlighting the real organisation barriers which must be crossed if the full benefits of these systems are to be realised, the paper will suggest areas of concern in traditional evaluation methods, and suggest other more flexible approaches which are more capable of accommodating the organisational context into which AVL systems are introduced. (A)
Abstract