Minneapolis Transit Commuter Information System …
Intelligent Devices is pleased to announce a significant deployment of the Intelligent NETworks control system in Minneapolis as part of the Transit Commuter Information System. This system, to be completed in 2009, is part of an Urban Partnership Agreement and is designed to meet the objective of moving commuters from driving their own vehicles to transit by:
- Provide real-time parking availability in the Park ‘n Ride lots to the motorist before they leave the freeway. There is nothing that deters someone from using transit than finding there is no parking at the transit station. Intelligent Parking (IDI’s NTCIP based parking system – see www.intelligentparking.com ) forms the basis for aggregating the available parking and displaying the information on NTCIP signs located on the freeway.
- Providing comparative travel times to the motorist on the freeway. The real-time comparative travel time will highlight the difference in predicted time to reach downtown, either using transit or the congested freeway.
- Providing real-time bus departure information at each bus stop on electronic signs. This includes an audible system for the visually impaired commuter.
NTCIP was specified for all the freeway signs and communications but not for the bus stop signs. It has been interesting that during the detailed implementation phase that NTCIP signs have been selected for the bus stop signs as well, as both the systems integrator (Intelligent Devices) and the sign vendor (IMAGO) are both experienced NTCIP practitioners. Selecting NTCIP as the interfacing standard resulted in the lowest cost, lowest risk and fastest deployment.
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