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 Albuquerque, New Mexico as a vehicular activated passenger advisory system, the Techtimer® informs waiting passengers about the number of minutes since the last bus served their stop. Knowing that Link buses arrive approximately every 8-10 minutes, the passenger can then estimate the waiting period until the next bus.

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 ADA requirements.

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 University of Michigan Professor Emeritus in Electrical Engineering andComputer Science Dr. Bernard Galler.Dr. Galler said, “The whole purpose was to provide reliable information rather than uncertain predictions. We hope this will make riding Ann Arbor buses an enjoyable experience for riders.”According to Bobbie MacDonald, AATA’s Manager of Information Technology, the new system was installed to increase customers’ confidence in knowing when the next bus would arrive and to ultimately increase ridership on the Link route.“The Techtimer® also is helpful for our drivers to help with spacing between the three buses operating on the route,” MacDonald said. If ridership increases sufficiently to allow AATA to continue operating service on the Link past its initial grant period, which ends January 31, 2005, the Techtimer® will continue in service on the route.  If the Link does not continue, the Techtimer® units will be strategically placed on other routes, MacDonald added.The IT manager noted that AATA is interested in feedback from customers about the Techtimer® through the “Tell Us” feature on the AATA web site, www.TheRide.org.

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 ADA requirements.

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 University of Michigan Professor Emeritus Bernard Galler.