This paper reports the results from a recent survey of bus transit operations in North America - specifically looking at their experience with GPS-based Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) technologies and related systems. Additionally, the paper brings forward the results from a similar survey conducted in 1995 and explores the lessons that have been learned over the past six years. AVL technologies nest within the broader field of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). Although mature in some areas, a number of these initiatives could be classified as 'emerging technologies'. As such, the experience of early adapters is likely to shape the way in which these technologies are embraced by a broader market. However, as the author notes, many of the problems that were being encountered in 1995 still challenge the bus transit industry today.
Samenvatting