In our continuing series, we speak about the importance of “Big Data” with Ryan Harshbarger, Fleet-Net and business intelligence specialist at Avail Technologies, an Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) solutions provider for transit operators in the United States. What exactly is Big Data? Big Data is a buzzword, and not just in our industry. Traditionally, it […]
With the production and deployment of the Spirit of Independence (Independence), ARBOC Specialty Vehicles, LLC (ARBOC) aims to make the safety and dependability associated with its buses into a lower-cost option for agencies of all sizes. “We consulted with many fleets that indicated they were operating 16-20 passenger buses and were utilizing a very small […]
BUSRide spoke with thought leaders in the industry about benefits, proprietary restrictions innovations and more in the fare collection field. What are the latest emergent technologies “disrupting” fare collection and transit revenue management? Darren Dickson: There are so many new technologies ranging from mobile implementations, which are gaining momentum, to SaaS-based solutions that more readily […]
By Joseph Saporita Investment in technology is no longer a luxury – for transit agencies to remain viable they absolutely must find ways to invest in technology solutions that make them competitive. Today’s transit riders have alternative options that are often perceived to be more convenient. Rideshare options like Lyft and Uber all offer desirable, […]
Blue Water Area Transit (BWAT) of Port Huron, Michigan, serves an average monthly ridership of over 109,000, providing regularly scheduled service to the City of Port Huron and Fort Gratiot Township as well as dial-a-ride service in Fort Gratiot, Burtchville and Port Huron Townships and the City of Marysville. Operated by the Blue Water Area […]
Avail Technologies, State College, PA, is an enterprise-level solutions provider for public transit, specializing in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) solutions. In an interview with BUSRide, Rick Spangler, chief technology officer at Avail Technologies, answers a few critical questions about integrating ITS, ERP, and EAM systems. What […]
Battery-electric buses are gaining fast ground in traditional transit fleets. A key success factor in deploying electric propulsion lies within the deployment of the charging infrastructure. Charging infrastructure can vary significantly in type. This includes the power type (AC – alternating current, or DC – direct current) and the power transfer type (conductive, using […]
Most of the challenges facing fare collection revolve around the ease of use for your riders. Using multiple systems or complicated fare structures makes it difficult for new riders to feel comfortable, because they fear not having the correct ticket or amount of cash on hand. If your riders make a mistake because of an […]
Following the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this past January, public transit suddenly became the darling of North American fascination. Why? Smart Cities. Defined by the global Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the world’s largest technical professional organization for the advancement of technology, a Smart (Sustainable) City is an […]
Using Avail Technologies as an integrator and ITS provider, Centre Area Transportation Authority provides urban-scale transit to Penn State students and State College, PA, residents Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA) operates community and campus transit routes in State College, PA, home to Pennsylvania State University (Penn State). Though its approximately 72 full-size buses, eight paratransit […]