Simulation shows how an automated stop announcement on the Route 0 Broadway bus would announce a stop at Quincy Avenue. The LED reads 'ST' instead of 'AVE.' Courtesy RTD.

By Kevin Flynn
Inside-Lane.com

RTD’s buses may soon be able to tell riders where they are and where they’re going – all with satellite-driven technology.

RTD plans to release a request for proposals this month on an extensive upgrade to its communications systems that, among other things, would bring automated stop announcements to its 1,000-bus fleet.

Similar to the red LED visual displays and audio announcements at the front and back of each light rail train car, the automated stop announcement system on the bus fleet will make it easier for all riders to know where they are and to be alerted to their stop. But it will be an especially valuable enhancement for blind riders, who will be able to hear clear announcements of upcoming stops, and hearing-impaired riders, who will be able to read the announcements.

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that transit providers make announcements of major stops so that disabled riders know where their connections will be.

The request for proposals is supposed to hit the streets in mid to late March, according to Eric Farrington, RTD senior project manager for information technology. The main part of the project is the complete replacement of RTD’s 15-year-old computer-aided dispatch and radio system, along with its current Automatic Vehicle Locator system.

But by packaging the Automated Stop Announcement system in with the larger procurement, RTD believes that it can save a significant amount of money over adding that part later. The total project is budgeted at $50 million and is expected to be operational by the end of 2012, assuming a vendor is selected and proceeds on schedule. Farrington estimated the Automated Stop Announcement element will represent about 10 percent of the total cost when packaged together.

The way the system is expected to work, buses will be fitted up in the front interior with automated LED signboards that display messages either in a crawling scroll or static mode. RTD’s longer articulated buses would get two such LED signboards, up front and toward the back. The signboards and the buses’ audio systems would be integrated with the communications center and with pre-recorded announcements.

Each bus’ GPS locator would keep track of the movement of the bus, and as it got close to fixed stops and transfer points for other routes, automated audio announcements and visual messages would be played inside the bus and on the LED signboards. It would be similar to navigation systems, available in automobiles, that talk to drivers and alert them to upcoming turns based on how close the vehicle is approaching the turn.

For instance, when the Route 15 bus gets within a few blocks of Broadway and Colfax, the system tracking the bus via its GPS transponder would trigger a prerecorded announcement of the upcoming stop, and the same would appear on a moving LED sign mounted at the front of the bus. It could be programmed to announce the other routes serving that stop as well.

An exterior speaker would enable the system to announce the bus route and destination at each bus stop so that riders waiting to board can hear which bus it is.

“Outside at the door of the bus, there will be a voice announcement of the route and destination, at the same time, the stop information will be shown inside on a large sign at the front of the bus and a recorded message will be announced,” Farrington said.

Drivers, who are currently given the assignment of announcing stops, would not have to do anything. But the system would allow drivers to make custom announcements over the public address system as they do now. In addition, the new system would allow personnel at RTD’s communications center to speak live on the buses for announcements.

When not being used for announcements, the LED boards would default to display the current time.

You can see a presentation about the system that RTD made about two weeks ago by clicking here.