NEWSROOM
2002 Archives - July 8, 2002

SALT LAKE CITY, July 8, 2002 – TransCore's intelligent transportation systems (ITS) unit teamed with the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) to design and develop the first automated connection protection system that reduces the number of passengers who miss their transfer from TRAX trains, the city's light rail system, to the city bus. Acceptance testing is now complete and UTA has taken delivery and is operating the system. 

"A major issue with making transfers in any public transportation system is the degree of uncertainty involved. Customers can now have peace-of-mind knowing if their train is running late, they're not going to miss their connecting bus or face a long wait," said Richard Hodges, Intelligent Transportation Systems Project Manager for UTA. "By providing this service, we expect to increase customer satisfaction and utilization of the transit system as well as offset pressure on the UTA's other transportation resources." 

The UTA began operating the connection protection system at six TRAX stations in January of this year, in time for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games as well as the Paralympic Games. The initial deployment covered 17 bus routes that carry nearly 8,000 passengers on an average weekday – about 10 percent of UTA's bus ridership. UTA estimates more than 1,000 of these passengers use both the bus and rail system each day.

The system is now installed at all 20 TRAX stations and is used for routes selected by UTA. Initial results show that on average eight buses are held each day, with a minor deferment in departure. Departures are delayed from three to 15 minutes depending on the class of service and the time of day. 

Using GPS and radio technology, rail arrival and departure information is automatically relayed to the connection protection system. The system correlates the expected time of train arrivals with connection departures. Then the connection protection system determines when to hold a bus and how long a bus can wait.

The automated system captures and relays information between trains, buses and the transit authority through a simple and efficient architectural design:

1. Mobile data terminals (MDTs) are mounted on both trains and buses. The MDT on trains contains a GPS receiver that provides location information via a 900 MHz radio; 

2. When a train is going to arrive late, this information is relayed to the connection protection system, which automatically calculates which buses will be impacted. 

3. Immediately, the connection protection system determines when to hold a bus and how long a specific bus can wait for a train without serious impact to the schedule;

4. An automated message is sent to the bus driver instructing him to wait until a specific time for the arriving train. 

Hodges explained that while many transit authorities put arrival/departure signs in their stations or track vehicles, only UTA's system has the tools to interpret data and dynamically adjust schedules in a way that provides valuable information to customers as well as bus and train operators. Based on customer feedback, additional routes will be added as needed.

About Utah Transit Authority

The Utah Transit Authority, established in 1970, has become a multi-modal transportation leader that is 100 percent accessible with 33 light rail TRAX vehicles and 650 buses. Every day, 1,800 UTA employees operate the transit system from six state-of-the-art facilities located along the Wasatch Front. UTA's TRAX light rail system is currently averaging more than 28,000 passengers a day along its 15-mile Salt Lake-Sandy line and the recently opened University Line. During the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, UTA's transit system was declared a great success on an international screen – effectively carrying more than four million Olympic riders. UTA is currently constructing the 1.5-mile Medial Center TRAX light rail extension which will complete the connection between the University of Utah and downtown Salt Lake City.

About TransCore

TransCore is a privately held transportation services company with 1,700 employees and more than 80 locations throughout the world. With installations in 37 countries, 80-plus patents and a world-class manufacturing facility, TransCore's expertise in providing system-based applications that improve transportation efficiency is unparalleled. For more information, visit www.transcore.com.