1. Be Not Afraid: An Introduction to Improving Transit Service with Technology 2007 DTA Mid-Year Conference Oacoma, South Dakota March 27, 2007 David Ripplinger Associate Research Fellow Small Urban & Rural Transit Center Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute North Dakota State University

2. Session Outline Goals Needs & Solutions Technology Adoption Recap & Next Steps Terminology

3. Goals Be Not Afraid: An Introduction to Improving Transit Service with Technology Goal 1 Eliminate any apprehension regarding technology and its use Goal 2 Provide exposure to high-level concepts Goal 3 Focus is on increased efficiency Goal 4 Needs come first, specific technologies come later Be Not Afraid : An Introduction to Improving Transit Service with Technology Goal 1 Eliminate any apprehension regarding technology and its use Goal 2 Provide exposure to high-level concepts Goal 3 Focus is on increased efficiency Goal 4 Needs come first, specific technologies come later

4. Needs & Solutions Many needs can be addressed by one of a number of technologies Many technologies address more than one need Many technologies work in tandem with others

5. Needs & Solutions The best solution may be low-tech or no-tech There are advantages to being a late adopter Advanced levels of coordination often require additional technology

6. Needs & Solutions Need #1: Paperwork is becoming cumbersome Possible Solution: Accounting, personnel, fleet, and reporting software

7. Needs & Solutions Need #2: Increased levels of service is making scheduling by hand difficult Possible Solution: Computer-aided scheduling and dispatch software Relies on GIS (Geographic Information Systems)

8. Needs & Solutions Need #3: Communication by radio is cumbersome for driver Possible Solution: Benefits Voice free communications Privacy Security Accountability Know that information has been communicated Gather precise information Mobile Data Terminal (MDT)

9. Needs & Solutions Need #4: Collection of fares and ride information is cumbersome Possible Solution: Electronic media

10. Need #5: Level of service suffers as vehicles wait for riders Benefits Needs & Solutions Possible Solution: Automatic voice notification Need to know where your vehicle is located AVL (Automatic Vehicle Location) Emergency location of vehicles Fleet management (performance) Data collection Driver monitoring Schedule adherence

11. Technology Adoption

12. What to Consider Before Adopting a Pet Why do you want a pet? Do you have time for a pet? Are you prepared to deal with special problems that a pet can cause? Can you have a pet where you live? The Humane Society of the United States Can you afford a pet? Is it a good time for you to adopt a pet? Are your living arrangements suitable for the animal you have in mind?

13. Technology Adoption Think before you adopt. Sharing your life with a pet can bring incredible rewards, but only if you're willing to make the necessary commitments of time, money, responsibility, and love well, not so much love……

14. Terminology Like many fields, there are a number of terms, especially acronyms, that are used in ITS… For example: ITS- Intelligent Transportation Systems, ie technology and transportation Others already referred to: GIS AVL MDT

15. Recap & Next Steps Goals Needs/Solutions Recap Technology Adoption Next Steps Think about your agency’s needs and solutions Check out TCRP Report 76 and other resources Feel free to contact me by phone or email Terminology If you do decide to pursue technology adoption let us know

16. David Ripplinger Associate Research Fellow Small Urban & Rural Transit Center Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute North Dakota State University (701) 231-5265 david.ripplinger@ndsu.edu