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Record Ridership Trends.
Growth consistent across Country.
Company Newsletter of INIT Innovations in Transportation, Inc. for business partners, employees, and friends
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Ridership numbers across the nation are climbing. Since the economy has begun to take a slight upward turn, one has to ask why people are still abandoning their vehicles to take the bus or train. Many believe the use of real-time passenger information, new mobile and online apps, and passenger amenities like Bus Rapid Transit services are the culprits.Recently, two customers documented record-breaking ridership numbers using the Automatic Passenger Counting technology from INIT. Both Houston Metro and Champaign-Urbana MTD have used the data to enhance operations and subsequently improve customer service. Officials share some practical explanations for the upward trend.
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Innovative
> Product Spotlight:
Driver and Depot Management
Informative
> INIT customers experiencing ridership surge
International
> INIT strengthens UK market position
Interesting
> Meet our staff
> 2013 International User Group Meeting big success
> INIT Sponsors Open Data Developer Series in Portland > Sustainability Commitment
Imprint
ia
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Dear Transportation Professionals,
As one of INIT’s new technical support analysts, I understand the importance of delivering exceptional service to our customers. My job is to ensure INIT provides immediate and relevant answers to your service-related issues so that you can provide the best service to your passengers.
>Tammy Jones
Recently, I visited Denver RTD to learn how the dispatchers and other RTD personnel were using the INIT system on a daily basis. My role was to assist them as our system was being installed. I witnessed the careful coordination of Denver’s daily traffic and vehicle congestion, along with the synchronization of service around crime and accidents to restore on-time service. The INIT system afforded them the ability to work with the drivers and authorities to ensure continuity in a timely manner. It was a valuable experience that taught me the value of good customer relations, and the advantage of using a reliable fleet management system.
I look forward to working with all of our customers to help each of them manage our system well.
As for the runs and the drivers,
MOBILE-PERDIS gives dispatchers the flexibility of allocating specific qualifications to a block that must be fulfilled by a vehicle when it should be assigned. Criteria may be specific equipment (APC, kneeling), vehicle size (no. of seats, length) or other (advertisement, etc.). For trains,
MOBILE-PERDIShas the possibility to keep track of train configurations like how many cars, order of cars, and the type of individual cars. Also, it’s possible to handle scheduled train splitting and train merging.
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MOBILE-PERDIS is INIT’s driver management solution that includes rostering, bidding, dispatching, vehicle management and timekeeping for payroll generation. The software solution is designed to provide data in a fast and secure manner for every user. This includes being able to specify operation and pay calculation parameters such as allowances and guarantees, as well as ensuring valid driver licensing and qualifications. In addition, MOBILE-PERDIS has the ability to record and track employee vacations and all defined absences. It includes a very useful event planning and control system where license renewals and medical check-ups can be entered and managed.
The optional Webcomm module offers drivers access to rosters, absences and details about their runs, including messages to and from dispatchers via the Internet. Webcomm gives drivers
the ability to do their own bidding, enter their vacation requests, swap their runs with another driver, and to bid on open work on a daily basis. The depot management system, MOBILE-DMS, is another optional module that manages vehicle assignments and depot parking administration. The tool allows you to efficiently implement vehicle planning and at the same time control all related tasks in your depot. With the MOBILE-DMS graphical lane view, dispatchers can view every vehicle’s location, as well as move vehicles needing maintenance to the garage. This keeps dispatchers and drivers informed and connected with the vehicle locations.
Since runs and blocks are internally linked together within MOBILE-PERDIS, the system knows that a vehicle may already be assigned to a block when a driver is assigned to a certain run.
>Contact:
Bridgette Holzapfel Tel. 757.413.9100 ext.365 bholzapfel@initusa.com
Product Spotlight:
Driver & Depot Management.
>The integrated personnel assignment software MOBILE-PERDIS organizes the entire staff deployment process from creating rosters to transferring data for payroll accounting.
>Bi-directional data exchange with the ITCS allows for efficient staff- and vehicle-related processes.
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INIT partner, Champaign-Urbana MTD has recorded a 20 percent rise in passenger boardings over the past five years. Hometown to the University of Illinois, Champaign is a small city with a large population. In fiscal year 2013, the agency recorded more than 12M trips. “ We believe the trends are a direct reflection of the technology we are providing to our riders,” reports Karl Gnadt, MTD's Managing Director Designate. “ Real-time passenger information, mobile apps, and increased connectivity are tools that put our passengers in control of their schedules – especially in regards to knowing when the next bus or train will arrive.”
Tom Lambert, Houston METRO's interim president and chief executive officer, agrees. "The trends are a reflection of the changes we're making to meet our riders' needs," he said recently in a story from Progressive Railway (Houston METRO reports nine-month ridership increase, August 22, 2013). Houston METRO logged a 3.7 percent gain in ridership over a nine-month period (Oct. ’12 — June ’13). As one of the largest transit systems in America, METRO’s surge in ridership is a positive indicator of what is happening with transit systems across North America.
Real-Time Information.
Based on rider research, the best explanation for the rise in passenger numbers on public transit is the availability of real-time information. People are devouring personal bites of data every second of the day. Incorporating personal travel infor-mation into customer-friendly tools gives riders exactly what they need to plan seamlessly. Since knowing which bus arrives at exactly which stop at
INIT Customers Experiencing Ridership Surge.
RTPI Technology is one culprit.
effort in this environment, it is making public transit an attractive lure for many car riders.
Customer Satisfaction.
In Champaign, the INIT system has helped improve MTD’s reliability, performance and passenger satis-faction ratings. In fact, MTD has enjoyed a 98 percent ridership satisfaction rate for the last five years. This is also in part due to the many real-time media channels MTD employs to keep their passengers informed. From an app that incor-porates Google search results to help passengers find their bus stop location to the online information system STOPwatch. STOPwatch gives riders the ability to see when their next bus is scheduled to depart. The information is delivered to passengers’ computer, mobile device, and at automated displays at major stop locations. MTD keeps passengers in the know and on the move.
Public transit analysts expect to see advancements in real-time systems continue to develop and improve. As they do, the increase in ridership will follow. Whether it is real-time information or the latest mobile app, agencies that deliver the best passenger tools will be sure to keep those numbers moving in the right direction.
>Contact:
Ann Derby
Tel. 757.413.9100 ext. 317 aderby@initusa.com
> Houston Metro posts daily ridership
figures using INIT’s Passenger counting
> INIT’s APC technology helps provide agencies with valuable data on where to increase
service and how to improve performance.
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Update for trentbarton.
This electronic fare system has now been further enhanced with the new order where the latest ITSO certified ETM, EVENDpc, has been implemented on nearly 300 buses. Amongst many other features, one of the most prominent elements is the participa-tion in the Greater Nottingham Real-Time Passenger Information System. The advantage of the EVENDpcis that it is EMV (Europay, MasterCard, Visa)-ready.
E-Ticketing system for
Tramlink.
The outstanding success in Notting-ham’s e-ticketing system has resulted in Tramlink, the bid consortium for the existing and expansion of Nottingham’s tram network, to opt for INIT’s innovative e-ticketing solution, too. Passengers will soon be able to use the MANGO card which can be topped up via cash or via chip & pin debit/credit cards on the self service ticket vending Dubbed as England’s least car
dependent city, Nottingham’s public transport system is already a model to admire. The dedication and effort of Nottingham continues to expand, resulting in two new contracts for INIT, that will further the investment in one of Europe's most modern and integrated electronic fare collection system projects in the UK.
With more than 40 million customer journeys per year, the independent bus operator, trentbarton, operates quality bus services throughout Nottingham City. Previously, trentbarton implemen-ted INIT’s integraimplemen-ted e-ticketing solution comprised of Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETM), validators, and the agency’s innovative MANGO smart cards. The Automatic Vehicle Location (GPS, odometer and door contact) feature of the ETMs works together with the refillable electronic purse, MANGO, and passenger terminals allowing for a seamless touch-in/touch-out system. This means that passengers can use their MANGO cards as an alternative to paper tickets and cash transactions by simply waving
their card to the validator. The system automatically calculates the best fare to be charged based on the passenger’s selected trip. With proximity techno-logy, better schedule adherence can be realized due to shorter dwell times. This leads to lower operating costs and more satisfied customers.
INIT Strengthens UK Market Position.
A modern solution for integrated fare collection in
Europe is currently being realized in Nottingham.
>Working with INIT allows Tramlink and trentbarton to set standardsin terms of service quality, customer satisfaction and innovation.
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machines located on platforms. Also on the platform, a touch-in/out-system will be implemented using INIT’s smart card validator, PROXmobil2.
INIT is providing hardware
and software.
INIT is providing the software for the necessary exchange of data and real-time reporting as well as 204 terminals/validators and 118 self service ticket vending machines at the Tramlink stops. An initial phase will see the equipping of the existing NET line 1, then NET lines 2 and 3, once opened. INIT Ltd. will act as supplier and installer for Taylor Woodrow, the joint venture appointed constructor for the Nottingham tram extensions. “ The new major project in Nottingham permits us to expand our market position in the area of e-ticketing in Great Britain,” said INIT Chief Sales Officer Dr. Jürgen Greschner when the contract was awarded.
Thanks to consistent development with continuous integration of new technologies, today INIT offers one of the most established modern product portfolios for e-ticketing, fleet management, and real-time
informa-tion systems in the market. Amongst other e-ticketing projects around the globe, INIT has partnered with a regional consortium in Sacramento, California to commission the new Connect Card system scheduled to launch in 2014. INIT’s e-ticketing solutions can be easily expanded to an integrated Intelligent Transportation System solution for public transportation.
>Contact:
Jens Mullak
Tel. +44.870.890.4648 jmullak@init.co.uk
>One of Europe’ s most up-to-date integrated e-ticketing solutionswill be realized in Nottingham. Ph ot o: e nv ir om an ti c — iS to ck
About trentbarton:
trentbarton is one of the leading private bus operators in the United Kingdom and is running a fleet of around 270 modern buses which services nearly 37 million passengers a year. trentbarton strives to provide its customers individual and customer-focused service.
About Tramlink:
Tramlink is a bid consortium for the existing and expansion of Nottingham’s tram network.
Ph ot o: tr en tb ar to n
INIT customers and partners trust us to deliver excellence in both quality and service. They depend on us to provide state-of-the-art products that are reliable and that increase the efficiency and effectiveness of public transportation systems.
At INIT, customer service is something we take seriously, so we’d like to share some ways that we are working towards better customer service through some customer-friendly tools.
JIRA - INIT’s Online
Customer Support Tool.
JIRA is INIT’s online support tool used for tracking project and maintenance related issues. Within JIRA, customers can identify and define specific issues through system dashboards and easy-to-use filters. You can create your own dashboards, utilize built-in gadgets such as filter lists, calendars, project lists, etc., and view the actions taken to resolve the issue.
Please contact Marc Gillman, our Customer Support Manager, to learn more about JIRA and what it can do for you. mgillman@initusa.com
Specialized Training.
Previously, we introduced you to Curtis Stone, INIT’s training specialist. Curtis came to us from the US Navy with a strong background in technical training. One of the initial
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Meet our Staff.
Better customer service through better customer tools.
tasks he took on was to create specialized training materials based on customer requirements. Curtis has been working diligently to educate and equip INIT customers to work more effectively with our systems. Recently, Tammy Jones joined the INIT team. Tammy brings with her a strong background in training with over 20 years’ experience creating training and system admin documentation and working with customers in both classroom and work place environ-ments. With a renewed emphasis on improving customer relations, Curtis and Tammy are making great strides in equipping you with the necessary tools to perform your jobs more efficiently.
Webinars.
For the last four years, INIT has hosted monthly webinars on topics of interest to you. From new products and features, to training and processes, INIT has continued to gear this online forum to provide you with information that you can use to better perform your everyday tasks. The webinars are a direct outcome of our Working Group Meetings and focus on collaboration, sharing of best practices, and future development of INIT products. For more information or to receive the webinar e-mail announcements, please contact Ann Derby, Director of Marketing and Events.
>Marc Gillman
Customer Support Manager
SharePoint Collaboration
Site.
The INIT ITCS SharePoint site hosts a myriad of information regarding INIT products, customer-specific features and functionalities, as well as various presentations, webinar recordings, photos, and documentation. The ITCS SharePoint site is similar to the specific INIT project sites, except that the information posted here is available to all customers. All that is needed is a user name and password. For more information, contact Ann Derby at aderby@initusa.com.
>Tammy Jones
Technical Support Analyst
>Curtis Stone
Technical Trainer
Our Mission:
We aim to:
> Enable customers to achieve their goals and business objectives > Deliver a quality product
on-time, every time
> Keep our promises for predict-able and relipredict-able performance > Build strong and enduring
customer relationships > Be the technology leader in
On October 20-23, INIT and Denver RTD partnered to host the 2013 International User Group Meeting in beautiful downtown Denver, Colorado. The event was well attended by more than 90 participants from 23 agencies. The meeting started with innovative project reports highlighting our customers’ ITS technology. From customized system management tools in Portland, Oregon to a virtualized ITCS system in Houston, Texas. Customers from seven different states showcased the advanced features of their transit technology from INIT.
Sessions included specific product training given by INIT experts. Collaboration and sharing of best practices sparked continued dialogue throughout the afternoon sessions.
The second day began with technical tours of Denver Union Station’s multi-modal underground facility and an informative tour of RTD’s operations
center. Following the tours, parti-cipants chose various sessions for the unconference round-table discussions.
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INIT Sponsors Open Data Developer Series in Portland.
TriMet looks for new transit apps.
On September 25, TriMet, Portland’s
to celebrate the full launch of the new Computer-Aided Dispatch/Automatic Vehicle Location System from INIT. The meeting attracted more than 65 developers, technology specialists and transit leaders from across the nation. The Open Data Developer Series provided the chance for Portland developers to discuss and brainstorm the next generation of transit applications with open data from TriMet’s new CAD/AVL system. INIT technical staffers were on hand to interact with the developer community and assist as the agency demonstrated the new bus dispatch system.
browser-based transit apps,
myTriMet.com, attended the meeting and
was very enthusiastic about the outcome. “ …We may soon see apps that tell riders how full the arriving bus is and perhaps advise them to wait for the next bus.” (TriMet: Behind the Scenes, Oct. 7, 2013)
TriMet was the first agency in the country to embrace open data releasing GTFS in 2005, along with API’s for third party developers. As a result, TriMet has built a strong relationship with the developer community and now has over 50 transit applications available for the web, iPhone, Android and Windows
> INIT sponsored the TriMet open data
developer series which attracted more than 65 developers and technology professionals from across the nation.
> More than 90 participants from 23 agencies gathered in Denver for the bi-annual event.
2013 International User Group Meeting Big Success.
Denver RTD system highlighted.
Published by:
INIT Innovations in Transportation, Inc.
Editor:
Ashley Kennedy
Editorial office:
INIT Innovations in Transportation, Inc.
1420 Kristina Way, Suite 101 Chesapeake, VA 23320 Phone: 757.413.9100 Fax: 757.413.5019
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Layout: Alexander Baudendistel Print:Professional Printing Center Chesapeake, VA
Published by:
INIT Innovations in Transportation, Inc.
Editors:
Ann Derby (Editor-in-chief) Alexander Baudendistel,
Andrea Mohr-Braun, Gisela Krieger,
www.initusa.com
INIT is a proud member
of APTA’s
Sustainability
Commitment.
NEW:
Check out INIT’s e-fare project
news from Sacramento