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SamTrans > News Archive - 2002 > SamTrans Buses Making High-Tech "Advances"
SamTrans Buses Making High-Tech "Advances"
SamTrans is bringing the next generation in bus technology onboard with its new
Advanced Communication System.
ACS has been installed on nearly all transit district vehicles including fixed-route
buses, Redi-Wheels shuttles, vans and sedans, and other district-owned vehicles.
The $9.5 million installation of advanced communication equipment is intended to
increase reliability, efficiency and safety for the rider. It also will be used to
gather ridership statistics and other passenger information.
ACS is a set of interrelated radio and computer components deployed at SamTrans
dispatch centers and onboard vehicles to provide operators, dispatchers and
management with a tool to improve fleet operations.
"ACS is another great example of SamTrans' commitment to making our system easy to
use and accessible for all of our passengers," said Chuck Harvey, chief operating
officer.
SamTrans will be one of the first transit operators in the nation to deploy this
state-of-the-art system, which includes: a district-wide radio system, computer aided
dispatching, automatic vehicle locators using a global positioning system, a "Next
Stop" annunciator system and automatic passenger counters.
The automatic annunciator system will be a visible improvement to passengers,
consisting of automated voice, visual and outside vehicle announcements. The
messages will include information based on street location and area landmarks,
shopping centers, airports and hospitals.
The onboard computer system will allow operators to send pre-set messages to SamTrans
dispatch communicating road conditions, passenger issues and vehicle problems.
The improved communication equipment coupled with a global positioning system will
aid SamTrans in dispatching vehicles with increased efficiency.
The system is scheduled to be fully operational in early 2003.
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