May 13, 2004
AATA installs passenger advisory units on Link route
ANN ARBOR, MI – In an effort to provide real-time information to riders of the downtown Link bus service, the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA) has installed the first Techtimer® roadside passenger advisory system on its Link route buses and bus stops.Described by Dr. Joseph S. Accetta of Techtimer® developer JSA Photonics, Inc. of
The new system consists of a roadside display unit installed atop each Link bus top signpost and a bus unit mounted inside each Link bus. The battery- and solar-powered roadside unit reads a signal from the passing bus unit, resets the
roadside unit’s time to zero and begins counting the time since the bus passed.The roadside unit contains an illuminated numerical display for night operation that is legible in excess of 20 feet, compatible with
Dr. Accetta said, “We feel that Techtimer® represents a totally new and affordable approach to roadside advisory systems that can be implemented on all stops in a major metropolitan system. The system, consisting of a self-contained roadside display and a small bus unit, requires no additional infrastructure and no central control site.” JSA Photonics developed and built the system from the original invention of
April 13, 2005
CHICAGO, IL- University of Illinois at Chicago Installs TechTimer Passenger Advisory Units on Intercampus Bus Route
In an effort to provide real-time information to riders of the UIC intercampus route, UIC Facilities has installed the TechTimer, a real time passenger advisory system, on a number of key stops in the system. The Techtimer displays the number of minutes since the last bus passed the stop. For example, knowing that buses arrive approximately every 8-10 minutes, the passenger can mentally estimate the waiting period until the next bus arrives. In transit systems where the headway (interval between buses) is well maintained Techtimer can display the estimated time of arrival of the next bus.
The TechTimer system consists of a roadside display unit installed adjacent to the shelters at key stops and a bus unit mounted inside each UIC bus. The battery/solar-powered roadside unit reads a signal from the passing bus, resets the roadside unit’s time to zero and begins counting the elapsed time since the bus passed. The roadside unit contains an illuminated numerical display for night operation that is legible in excess of 20 feet. Of particular note is that the UIC system features an audible announcement as well as a visual display making it compatible with
UIC is the second installation of its kind;, the first being the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA) in Ann Arbor, Michigan on its Link route buses and bus stops.
Techtimer® represents a totally new and affordable approach to roadside advisory systems that can be implemented on all stops in a major metropolitan system. The system requires no additional infrastructure and no central control site. JSA Photonics of Albuquerque, NM developed and manufactured the system from the original invention of