BIZMOLOGY — Riding the bus hasn’t always been the most glamorous endeavor. However, the future of public transportation in many cities is riding on buses, and new technology is helping the lumbering giants earn a bit of respect.
The bus transportation services industry traditionally has been a rather low-tech sector with drivers using two-way radio systems, riders using paper schedules, and the buses guzzling gasoline or diesel. However, the next generation of buses is using all sorts of technology to guarantee a smooth ride.
Here in Austin, the city is getting ready to launch a new 40-bus fleet featuring special GPS technology that will give them priority to pass through light intersections. The MetroRapid system is expected to help keep the bus system and traffic flow moving faster. Additionally, the system will feature digital message signs at bus stops that provide real-time information about bus arrival times. Next-generation buses in cities everywhere also will likely feature mobile ticking apps that will give people the option of paying their fares with their mobile device.
Buses also are getting sleeker and more energy efficient. There is a growing list of cities (including Mannheim, Germany, and Gumi, South Korea) that now use induction charging buses. The wireless technology charges electric-bus batteries while on the move.
Federal safety officials want all vehicles in the US (including buses) to be equipped with new technology that would help prevent accidents. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently released a report that calls for wireless technology that would allow cars, trucks, and buses to communicate with each other and better avoid accidents. The findings of the report concluded a yearlong study of connected vehicles that send and receive electronic data and use onboard computers to translate data into hazard warnings for drivers. For example, the data can warn drivers when another vehicle is too close. The NTSB began studying such technology following two fatal school bus accidents last year.
As fuel prices increase, people are seeking alternatives to driving, and bus ridership is increasing around the world. Cities strapped for cash also are looking for cost-effective ways to increase bus ridership in order to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce the need to build roads or for more costly transportation systems like rail lines. Technology not only can help attract bus riders but also improve traffic flow and possibly even reduce carbon emissions.