TCIS Project Wrapping Up

IDI’s Transit Commuter Information System project for the Minneapolis Metropolitan Council is wrapping up and we are very excited at the potential impact of this project to shape the behavior of commuters in the region. The simple objective of the project was to change the pattern of behavior of commuters away from driving vehicles on the freeway towards using transit. In short, the project believed that a significant number of commuters stayed away from transit because:

• When the commuter exited the freeway to park at the Park ‘n Ride lots, the lots were sometimes full. This led commuters to not wanting to try transit again.
• There was a lack of real time information about bus scheduling and when the next bus would arrive.
• Commuters were unsure if they would save time by using transit.

In order to mitigate these concerns, a system of more than 70 real-time signs and displays has been installed around Minneapolis, downtown, in the Mall of America and on the freeway. These displays are driven by IDI’s “out-of-the-box” Intelligent NETworks and are based on data feeds from a variety of sources and make widespread use of NTCIP.

Information is presented to motorists in detail on Dynamic Message Signs.

1. Comparative travel times of car vs. bus travel times are presented to drivers allowing them to make a decision on whether to travel by transit or car.
2. Motorists are also given the time until the next bus departure so that they may determine in advance if they will be able to make their transit bus, before exiting the freeway.
3. The parking space availability in the relevant Park & Ride lot is shown, so the driver will know that there is available parking before exiting the freeway.
4. Once at the bus transit station, detailed bus route and real time bus departure time information is provided.