GIS Data in Real-Time Transit
Management Systems
2011 GIS in Public Transportation Conference
St. Petersburg, FL, September 14, 2011
GIS Data in Real-Time Transit Management Systems
 Real-Time TMS: Consumers of GIS Data
 GIS Data Use Cases
 Non-GIS Data for Real-Time TMS
 So Where are GIS in the Real-Time Action?
 Into the Future
Real-Time TMS: Consumers of GIS Data
 Capital Projects
 Scheduling Systems
 Computer Aided Dispatch / Automatic Vehicle Location
(CAD/AVL). Fixed-route and Demand Responsive
 Traveler Information. Trip Planning, Passenger Information
GIS Data Use Cases: Design Inputs for Capital Projects
 Land Mobile Radio Coverage Simulations and Design
 Communications Systems Backhauls
 Wayside Equipment of Real-Time Systems
– Automatic Train Control Systems
– Traffic Signal Priority
– Wayside Passenger Information
GIS Data Use Cases: Transit Scheduling Support
 Demand Responsive: Trip Routing Based on Reservations,
including Turn-by-Turn Instructions
 Demand Responsive: Geocoding of Customer Addresses
 ADA Paratransit (US): Determination of Service Eligibility
(Within ¾ Mile Corridor of Fixed Route)
 Fixed-Route: Creation of Paddle Driving Instructions
 Fixed-Route: Planning of Detours and Bus Bridges
GIS Data Use Cases: Yards
 Determine Geo-fences for Yard-only Functions
– Monitor Pre-service Checks (Wheelchair cycling)
– Monitor Maintenance Movements
 Manage Yard Layouts for Yard Management Systems
– Maintain Parking Lanes and Slots
– Maintain Sensor locations (Wireless, Transponders)
– Support In-building and Yard Wireless Coverage Surveys
GIS Data Use Cases: Passenger Trip Planning
 Geocoding of Addresses and Landmarks
 Reverse-Geocoding of Lat/Lon to Fixed Route Stops and
Stations
 Walking Directions
 Map Presentation
Non-GIS Data for Real-Time TMS
 Stop Points Including Bay Lengths
 Route Patterns with Distances Between Stops
 Schedule, Blocks, Duties, Operator Assignments
 Passenger Information Display Locations
 TSP and On-Board Passenger Information Trigger Points
So Where are GIS in the Real-Time Action?
 GIS Primarily Supports Up-Front Design, Planning and
Scheduling
 When Do Transit Operations need GIS and Maps?
When they Weren’t Prepared! (In an Ideal World)
 In Operations, GIS Supports Last-resort Actions and
Emergencies Management
Into the Future
 Integrating of “Gray Areas” between GIS and Non-GIS
– Maturing Stops and Stations Concepts Into a Public Transportation
Access Network
– Traffic Signal Priority Engineering
– Wayside Inventory and Asset Management
 Emphasize of Accessibility in Design Criteria
 Leveraging of Communities’ Engagement into Data and
Transit Developer Ecosystems
GIS Data in Real-Time Transit Management Systems
Thank You for Your Attention!
Joachim Pfeiffer
CH2M HILL
joachim.pfeiffer@ch2m.com