CARTA Fixed-Route Vehicles - Transit Vehicle Functionality
Subsystem Description
The Transit Vehicle Subsystem (TRVS) resides in a transit vehicle and provides the sensory, processing, storage, and communications functions necessary to support safe and efficient movement of passengers. The types of transit vehicles containing this subsystem include buses, paratransit vehicles, light rail vehicles, other vehicles designed to carry passengers, and supervisory vehicles. The subsystem collects accurate ridership levels and supports electronic fare collection. The subsystem supports a traffic signal prioritization function that communicates with the roadside subsystem to improve on-schedule performance. Automated vehicle location functions enhance the information available to the Transit Management Subsystem enabling more efficient operations. On-board sensors support transit vehicle maintenance. The subsystem supports on-board security and safety monitoring. This monitoring includes transit user or vehicle operator activated alarms (silent or audible), as well as surveillance and sensor equipment. The surveillance equipment includes video (e.g. CCTV cameras), audio systems and/or event recorder systems. The sensor equipment includes threat sensors (e.g. chemical agent, toxic industrial chemical, biological, explosives, and radiological sensors) and object detection sensors (e.g. metal detectors). In addition, the subsystem supports vehicle operator authentication prior to operation of the vehicle and remote vehicle disabling. The subsystem also furnishes travelers with real-time travel information, continuously updated schedules, transfer options, routes, and fares.
Functional Area: On-board Maintenance
On-board systems to collect and process transit vehicle maintenance data including mileage and vehicle operating conditions for use in scheduling future vehicle maintenance.
Functional Area: On-board Passenger Counting
On-board systems collect transit vehicle loading data and make it available to the center.
Functional Area: On-board Schedule Management
Collecting of data for schedule generation and adjustment on-board a transit vehicle. Supports communication between the vehicle, operator, and center.
Functional Area: On-board Transit Fare Management
On-board systems provide fare collection using a travelers non-monetary fare medium. Collected fare data are made available to the center.
Functional Area: On-board Transit Information Services
On-board systems to furnish next-stop annunciation as well as interactive travel-related information, including routes, schedules, transfer options, fares, real-time schedule adherence, current incidents, weather conditions, non-motorized transportation services, and special events.
Functional Area: On-board Transit Security
On-board video/audio surveillance systems, threat sensors, and object detection sensors to enhance security and safety on-board a transit vehicles. Also includes silent alarms activated by transit user or vehicle operator, operator authentication, and remote vehicle disabling.
Functional Area: On-board Transit Signal Priority
On-board systems request signal priority through short range communication directly with traffic control equipment at the roadside (intersections, ramps, interchanges, etc.).
Functional Area: On-board Transit Trip Monitoring
Support fleet management with automatic vehicle location (AVL) and automated mileage and fuel reporting and auditing.