Technology Overview
Use AVL to:
- Locate transit fleet
- Monitor schedule performance and assist in operations planning
- Assign appropriate vehicle for route deviation or demand-response pickup
- Provide more efficient transit vehicle and modal connections
- Enhance onboard safety through quicker incident response
- Resolve passenger complaints
An automatic vehicle location (AVL) system is a computer-based vehicle tracking system
that uses location technology (usually global positioning system (GPS) satellites) and
a wireless data communications system to transmit the real-time location of any bus, van, train, or boat from the vehicle
to a transit operations center. Central software located at the transit operations center periodically receives real-time
updates on transit vehicle locations. The transit vehicle is equipped with an onboard computer with an integrated GPS receiver
and wireless data communications capability. The AVL-data can be used immediately for daily operations or archived for further
analysis. Automatic vehicle location can be used for both fixed-route and paratransit (demand response) systems across a
variety of modes.
Transit agencies use AVL systems to improve customer service by providing real-time information. Using AVL, transit agencies
can calculate transit vehicle arrival times and post them to variable message boards installed at transit stops, websites
and smartphone applications. AVL improves schedule adherence and allows agencies to monitor transit driver performance.
AVL can be the first step toward a comprehensive ITS strategy. Common upgrades to enhance a transit agency’s AVL system
include GPS, mobile data terminals (MDTs), security alarms for transit drivers, next-arrival time at transit stops, fixed-route
scheduling software integration, and wireless local area network (WLAN) monitoring.
Common Combinations
Daily Operations
AVL is useful in analyzing service delivery questions, but is more effective when coupled with other technologies to create
a comprehensive ITS infrastructure.
Combined with computer-aided dispatch (CAD) and geographic information systems (GIS),
AVL optimizes dispatching and allows each vehicle to service more passengers.
Agencies often realize reductions in nonrevenue miles, passenger wait times, and fleet size. AVL is also
utilized by transit signal priority (TSP) systems through the detection of specific transit
vehicles as they approach select intersections.
Linking AVL to a CAD and time-stamp records management system enables it to be used to help resolve personnel issues. AVL
has been used to monitor driver behavior and ensure that the operators are following predetermined schedules (within the
acceptable headway range), obeying speed limits, and taking approved breaks. AVL systems are used more effectively respond
to and resolve passenger complaints and issues. AVL can identify the exact locations of transit vehicles, link to vehicle
passenger loads, and provide other operational characteristics that enable an agency to understand an event situation.
Real-time transit arrival times are displayed on
message boards by the Tri-County Metropolitan
Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet).
Safety and Security
AVL provides enhanced location information to dispatchers if a safety or security issue develops on a transit vehicle. For
instance, a security alarm on a transit bus could be activated by a transit driver to alert the transit operations center
dispatchers of an onboard emergency. AVL enables a quicker response to the precise location of a vehicle. It also aids in
determining the most appropriate response to a security incident.
Systems Planning and Fleet Management
AVL data can be used for systems planning and fleet management. When these data are combined with bus stop
and facility inventory data, they can be mapped on GIS. These data can also be linked to automatic
passenger counters (APC) to gather ridership information by location and time. APC records timestamps that
can be linked to AVL bus location data to estimate the number of passengers and loadings at each stop. This enables development
of service metrics that reflect passenger volumes. The data can also be used for planning routes, schedules, and facility
and fleet requirements.
Traveler Information
When linked to an electronic traveler information infrastructure, an AVL system can provide
information on expected arrival times. AVL data is used to provide real-time next bus/train predictions to customers both
pre-trip and en route. Transit agencies can provide real-time information for all routes to passengers in a variety of ways:
on its website, through smartphone applications, and via short message service (SMS) and text messaging. Providing real-time
information can increase ridership by reducing customer anxiety, enhancing perceived reliability and presenting a more modern
image to transit customers.
Factors to Consider
AVL systems provide a number of benefits, including:
- Interoperability with existing and planned technologies
- Flexibility for changes in fleet size
- Capability for testing technology on a subset of vehicles
- Capacity for data storage and analysis
- System-sharing across modes and across agencies in a regional context
AVL systems are available at a wide range of prices and levels of sophistication to satisfy the budget constraints and needs
of most agencies. Most transit agencies should consider off-the-shelf, web-based AVL systems; however, with any system some
customization and integration with existing systems will be required.
Agencies that have already implemented some of the core technologies can extract more benefits by adding AVL. In general,
AVL is a core technology for bus and multimodal agencies. A phased implementation can spread the cost of the system over
a period of time. Some agencies may require complex analytical tools for systems planning and fleet management. Human services
and demand-response agencies can obtain significant benefits from an AVL-based communications and dispatching system that
allows for dynamic rerouting and more efficient fleet utilization.
Benefits and Costs
Benefits
AVL systems can lead to better information, improving transit service planning and customer satisfaction. More accurate
running time information that can be passed onto passengers can help increase transit ridership. AVL has been used by some
transit agencies to achieve the following results:
- Decreased passenger late arrival times.
- Improved on-time bus performance.
- Reduced emergency incident-response time.
- Possible savings include:
- Reduced data-collection costs.
- Decreased staff labor costs for schedule checkers.
- Reduction in fleet through integration of AVL and CAD.
- Environmental benefits: increased transit ridership can save on personal vehicle miles traveled
(VMT)
- Improved data warehousing and reporting tools can provide "dashboards" with real-time displays of key indicators
for performance management.
- Increased customer satisfaction and more smartphone applications for customer decision making.
Costs
The capital costs of AVL systems are highly dependent on the level of software customization of commercial off-the-shelf
packages, the types of AVL equipment installed on the transit vehicles, and the monthly fees for the wireless communications
technology between the fleet and the central software at the transit operations center.
A review of various systems implemented across the country suggests that capital costs are about $10,000 to $20,000 per
transit vehicle.
Onboard AVL/CAD equipment
Price
All costs vary based on the transit agency’s specific system requirements. Well-defined system requirements can result in
overall cost savings by avoiding costly overruns. Overruns, also known as extra work orders, occur when a transit agency
decides to add requirements to the system during implementation. By developing specifications ahead of time and bidding
the contract for best value, an agency can receive several proposals for consideration and evaluation.
Smaller stand-alone AVL systems can cost less money, whereas larger agency implementations that integrate
central software with existing software can cost millions of dollars.
Operations and Maintenance (O&M)
Annual O&M costs for onboard equipment average 2 to 10 percent of the original capital cost. Recurring costs can include
wireless communications monthly service fees.
Training and Staff
Training is an important element of installing an AVL system. Any agency contracts with AVL vendors should include a training
component prior to final acceptance and turnover of the AVL system. Some agencies may take a "train the trainer"
approach to save money if there is a large number of staff that needs to be trained. This approach allows for periodic refresher
training to be held on regular intervals without keeping the AVL vendor under an extended maintenance contract. Useful sources
of training for management are regular site visits and sharing information with peer agencies that also use AVL systems.
Standard operation procedures are recommended to facilitate training and enable consistency.
Agency Deployments
Agency |
Contact Information |
Number of Vehicles |
Context/Success of Deployment |
Beaver County Transit Authority (DART) |
200 West Washington Street
Rochester, PA 15074
(724) 728-4200
http://www.bcta.com/indexe8ec.html |
32 fixed-route, 4 support demand-response operations |
Upgraded an AVL system to a GIS-based system including MDL, with an integrated GPS receiver and covert alarm switch, and
APC technology. |
Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) |
1600 Blake St.
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 628-9000
http://www.rtd-denver.com/ |
1,335 buses |
Use of AVL, combined with an upgrade in the radio communications system and MDTs, improved on-time performance and increased
ridership. |
Triangle Transit Authority
|
4600 Emperor Boulevard #100
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 549-9999
http://www.triangletransit.org/ |
52 buses, 46 paratransit vehicles |
Developed AVL system for their fixed-route bus and paratransit vehicles.
|
Valley Metro
|
101 N. 1st Avenue #1100
Phoenix, AZ 85003
(602) 262-7433
http://www.valleymetro.org/ |
70 |
Equipped 70 vehicles with AVL, which contributed to real-time schedule adherence.
|
Regional Transportation Commission (RTC)
|
PO Box 30002
Reno, NV 89520
775-348-0400
http://www.rtcwashoe.com/ |
147
|
RTC deployed AVL as part of a comprehensive strategy. |
King County Metro
|
King Street Center
201 S. Jackson St
Seattle, WA 98104
206-553-3000
http://metro.kingcounty.gov/ |
1,400 (fixed route); 290(paratransit) |
Fixed route: upgraded to smart cards and newer AVL/CAD system
Paratransit: Upgraded to MDT |
Metropolitan Atalanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) |
2424 Piedmont Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30324
(404) 848-5000
http://www.itsmarta.com/ |
556 buses |
Use of AVL and CAD resulted in operating savings and provided detailed cost information. |
Milwaukee County Transit Systems (MCTS) |
1942 North 17th St.
Milwaukee, WI 53205
(414) 344-4550
http://www.ridemcts.com/ |
484 buses |
Use of an integrated AVL system improved on-time performance and adherence to schedules. |
Additional Resources
- ITS ePrimer (U.S. DOT ITS Joint Program Office) - Module 7: Public
Transportation
- Intelligent Transportation Systems Benefits, Costs, Deployment and Lessons Learned: 2011 Update.
http://www.itscosts.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/images/Reports/$File/Ben_Cost_Less_Depl_2011%20Update.pdf
- Transit Enterprise Architecture and Planning Framework (TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Report 84, e-Transit:
Electronic Business Strategies for Public Transportation, Volume 9), August 2011. Project Number: J-09.
http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/tcrp/tcrp_rpt_84v9.pdf
- A Guide for Planning and Operating Flexible Public Transportation Services (TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP)
Report 140), July 2010. Project Number: B-35. http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/tcrp/tcrp_rpt_140.pdf
- Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County Intelligent Transportation System Implementation Evaluation Study, Author:
Tina Wu, Matt Weatherford, Ancila Kaiparambil, Linna Zhang, Published By: Federal Transit Administration, U.S. Department
of Transportation, Source Date: May 2010, Other Reference Number:FTA Report FTA- NV-26-7005-2010.1.
http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/RTC_ITS_Eval_Study_section508.pdf
- Guidebook for Rural Demand-Response Transportation: Measuring, Assessing, and Improving Performance (TRB’s Transit Cooperative
Research Program (TCRP) Report 136), December 2009. Project Number: B-31A,
http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/tcrp/tcrp_rpt_136.pdf
- Controlling System Costs: Basic and Advanced Scheduling Manuals and Contemporary Issues in Transit Scheduling (TRB’s Transit
Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Report 135), July 2009.
http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/tcrp/tcrp_rpt_135.pdf
- AVL Systems for Bus Transit: Update. TCRP Synthesis 73/Project Number: J-07/Topic SA-17, May 2008.
http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/tcrp/tcrp_syn_73.pdf
- TCRP Report 118: Bus Rapid Transit Practitioner's Guide, Author: Kittelson & Associates, in association with Herbert
S. Levinson Transportation Consultants and DMJM-Harris. Published by:Transit Cooperative Research Program, Transportation
Research Board. Sponsored by the Federal Transit Administration, 2007.
http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/tcrp/tcrp_rpt_118.pdf
- Real-Time Bus Arrival Information Systems Return-on-Investment Study (August 2006).
http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/Final_Report_-_Real-Time_Systems_ROI_Study.doc
- Advanced Public Transportation Systems: State-Of-The-Art Update, March 2006.
http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/APTS_State_of_the_Art.pdf
- Strategies to Expand and Improve Deployment
of ITS in Rural Transit Systems - TRB Document 84/Project J-09 (February 2005).
http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/tcrp/tcrp_rpt_84v6.pdf
|