Geographic Information Systems
A geographic information system (GIS) has been described as “A system of computer hardware, software, and procedures designed to support the capture, management, manipulation, analysis,
modularity and display of spatially referenced data...” In the transit
environment, GIS can be used for solving complex planning
problems, operations planning, and other management and
operational needs, including AVL operations.
GIS is a combination of an electronic map and a relational
database that allows a user to visualize and analyze the relationship
between non-related data whose only common feature is that the
information shares similar geographic location,
GIS can be used for the display and/or analysis of the following
that can be linked with GPS for the fleet management.
- Bus routes, streets, parking lots, facilities, shelter locations, ridership loadings, running times, scheduling, bus assignments,
- Bus route maps, trip planning route choices, on-time performance data, multi-media displays, pass sales outlet planning
- Customer address location, service qualification determination, and service performance statistics
Since information on GIS systems was not solicited during the data collection effort for this report, it is not possible to judge the
extent of GIS deployment. However, transit operators with global
positioning system AVL systems usually also have a GIS.
Automatic Vehicle Location
Use of AVL in transit applications is growing, driven by the following
expected benefits:
- Increased overall dispatching and operating efficiency;
- More reliable service, promoting increased ridership;
- Quicker response to service disruptions;
- Inputs to passenger information systems;
- Increased driver and passenger safety and security;
- Quicker notice of mechanical problems with the vehicles, reducing maintenance costs;
- Inputs to traffic signal preferential treatment actuators;
and
The system operates by measuring actual real-time position
of each vehicle, and relaying the information to a central location.
Automatic Passenger Counters
Automatic Passenger Counters are a well-established, automated means for collecting data on passenger boarding and alighting by time and location. These data may be used for a number of applications, both real-time and delayed, including:
- Input to dispatcher decisions on immediate corrective action
- Input to real-time passenger information systems
- Future scheduling
- Positioning new shelters for waiting passengers
The two most common technologies used to register boardings
and alightings are infrared beams and treadle mats. Two infrared
beams are typically placed across the passengers’ path as they board
or alight the vehicle. As a passenger boards, he or she interrupts the
beams in a particular order, and the APC registers the boarding.
Likewise, as a passenger alights, he or she interrupts the beams in
the reverse order, and the APC registers the alighting. These various
data regarding
- No of passengers in the bus.
- Distance up to that they traveled.
- Money collected on real-time basis.
- Enabled central control station for the total computer aided dispatch (CAD)
CAD intelligently can perform its operation such that it can control the dispatch of vehicles by taking the real time demand on the route, it can make necessary change in the route of the vehicle when the vehicle are in a congested route. This automated monitoring can reduce chances of manually taken false decisions.
Fleet management for commercial vehicles
Regarding the commercial applications of the GPS it is now in use
for tracking of goods vehicle. Delivery trucks can receive GPS
signals and instantly transmit their position to a central dispatcher.
These enable the commercial operators to plan their operations
and help the users to take decision about use of their consignee when
they will get it.
Use of GPS in fleet management mainly leads to
- Efficient, optimized, flexible, and user-preferred route structures.
- Reduce costs to each organization while increasing overall benefits to individual of States and the entire region.
- Delivery companies will be able to plan routes for deliveries in the optimum efficiency.
The entire above can provides a source of revenue for the Government and assist in funding of an integrated transportation system.
Fleet management for aircrafts
All aircraft equipped with certified GPS receivers will have the needed accuracy, integrity, and availability for them to use GPS.Use of GPS as navigation assistance can lead to a proper fleet management. It can assist in automated dispatch of aircrafts by using the full serving capacity of the runway or other management facilities. Automation leads to improvement in the efficiency by
decrease of manpower, time loss and miss handling.
Fleet management for railways
Many rail systems are comprised of long stretches of single track.
Precise knowledge of where a train is located is essential to prevent
collisions, maintain smooth flow of traffic, and minimize costly
delays due to waiting for clearance for track use. Satellite navigation
provides a sound position-locating capability for rail traffic
management systems, be it to manage the movement of cars and
engines in switchyards, or to ensure the safety of work crews. Current
technology will also allow for fully automated train control through
the use of a differential GPS capability, digital maps and onboard
inertial units. Systems in western countries such as New York where
the total fleet arriving and departure is control automatically by
control station, which are getting the position of the vehicle using
GPS. These facilities enable the operators to remove the human
factor from the fleet management operations. These increase the
efficiency of the operations with any much complication in the
management.
All these fleet management are in the part of the operations.
Except these there are so many operations will also become
automated with the use of GPS.
These are some applications
- Generation of reports for the daily or online operations fleet operations.
- Generation of the automated pay bill to the private operator.
- Generation of the origin and destination data for the future route rationalization and schedule change.
- Authenticity check for public complaints regarding the in efficient operations etc.
Fleet management and GPS in India
- In India Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporations (APSRTC) first started the management of inter state fleets using GPS. But the system not function very well.