GPS on Buses: The New Trend in Mass Transit

When the first cities and towns were built by humans, so was the never-ending problem of transit. Even the most basic of establishments have to address the concerns of its inhabitants and their need to get around. As cities have grown and technology has evolved, so have the problems of transit become more complex. Now that in many places infrastructure has been developed for public transit, a city must deal with new problems like traffic congestion and bigger coverage areas. Many cities have begun to use GPS devices used in truck tracking systems to improve their mass transit.

Truck tracking systems were developed to account for large fleets of vehicles and keep tabs on them. As GPS receivers and data networks have improved, these services have become more accurate and simpler to use. Many city officials have drawn inspiration from these companies for use in their bus setups. In many places, the location of buses are constantly monitored using GPS devices. While it may seem useless to collect location data for a vehicle that runs a scheduled route, there are many uses that aren't quite so obvious.

The most common way GPS information is used in buses is to announce that the next stop on a route is approaching. With the route programmed into the GPS device, the bus "knows" when it is near the next stop and can alert riders to prepare to leave. This can lead to quicker stops and more satisfied passengers. In areas like hospital zones or in places that have easy access for the blind, the bus can even announce itself to the outside world as it stops.

Much like truck tracking systems, the GPS information of buses can be tracked remotely as well. Many cities use this to provide information on the Internet when buses are running late. Many bus stops have an ID number that can be referenced on a mobile phone for a rider to see if the bus is running on schedule. Some transit authorities offer interactive maps that help passengers see where buses are and plan out their journeys better.

Statistics gathered by GPS devices can also be used to better manage the details behind the scenes. Good GPS data combined with usage statistics shows traffic patterns that can help redesign and optimize routes. Logging miles traveled by each bus makes it easy to determine when a bus needs servicing. Plus, reprogrammable routes make buses easier to swap out when repairs are needed; one bus is easily replaced with another when the stop information is controlled by GPS.

Public transit still has its difficulties and probably always will, but the benefits from the technology of truck tracking systems helps officials understand how buses are being used. It's easy to argue about best practices for bus routes, but it's hard to argue with statistics. In city planning, any and all data is valuable.