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How Bus Destination Signs Enhance Public Transportation and Improve the Commuting Experience

Public transportation plays an indispensable role in urban mobility. A significant part of ensuring this system runs efficiently lies in providing clear and accurate information to passengers. Enter bus destination signs, an often-overlooked element that drastically improves the daily commuting experience for millions. These signs, both in their traditional and digital forms, not only guide commuters, but also enhance the efficiency and safety of public transportation.

Enhancing Commuter Convenience with Clear and Accurate Information

Imagine you're in a new city, and you're trying to navigate the bus system without any clear indication of each bus's route or final stop. Confusing, right? This is where the importance of a bus destination sign becomes evident.

A well-displayed destination sign serves as a beacon for passengers, ensuring they board the right vehicle and reach their intended destination. It eliminates the guesswork, especially in bustling cities where multiple routes may overlap or where similar bus numbers service different areas. For regular commuters, a clear sign provides confirmation, while for tourists or infrequent users, it's an essential guide.

Increasing Efficiency with Real-Time Updates on Bus Destinations

The modern era has ushered in advanced bus destination signs that can provide real-time data. Instead of static displays, these digital signs can change dynamically based on current routes, traffic conditions, or diversions. This not only keeps passengers informed about potential delays but also allows transport authorities to manage route changes with minimal disruption.

For instance, if there's an unexpected roadblock or a major event causing traffic delays, real-time destination signs can be updated to reflect the current situation. This transparency ensures that commuters can make informed decisions about their journey, whether that means waiting, taking an alternative route, or opting for a different mode of transportation.

Promoting Safety and Security through Clearly Displayed Bus Destinations

Safety in public transportation isn't just about well-maintained vehicles or trained professionals. It's also about ensuring passengers embark on the right buses and are clear about their routes. A prominently displayed bus destination sign helps in avoiding situations where passengers might find themselves lost or in unfamiliar territory.

Furthermore, in emergency situations where specific routes need to be avoided or changed, digital destination signs can be swiftly updated to guide passengers safely away from any potential hazards.

Enhancing Accessibility for People with Disabilities through Digital Destination Signage

Public transportation systems must be inclusive, catering to all passengers, including those with disabilities. Modern digital bus destination signs have made significant strides in this direction.

For visually impaired passengers, digital signs can be paired with audio announcements, ensuring they receive the same real-time updates as everyone else. On the other hand, for those with hearing impairments, bright, clear digital displays with larger fonts can be beneficial.

Additionally, digital destination signs can be integrated with apps and other technologies. This allows passengers to access real-time data on their smartphones, further enhancing accessibility and ensuring all passengers are equally informed and empowered.

The Future of Bus Destination Signs - Making Public Transportation More Efficient and User-Friendly

The evolution of bus destination signs, from basic placards to sophisticated digital displays, mirrors the broader trend of integrating technology into public transportation. As cities grow and public transport networks expand, the need for clear, dynamic, and inclusive destination signs will only become more critical.

In the future, we can anticipate even more advanced features. What remains constant, however, is the underlying goal: to make public transportation more efficient, safe, and user-friendly for everyone. The humble bus destination sign, in many ways, encapsulates this mission, proving that even the most straightforward elements can have a profound impact on our daily commuting experience.

About Transign

Transign has been a leading provider in the transit industry for over 60 years, offering high-quality destination signs and renowned customer service. Founded by James Youngblood in 1959, the company set a standard with its commitment to product quality and customer support. Over the years, Transign has introduced groundbreaking products, such as the "Bus-O-Rama" advertising panels, Mylar for roller curtain signs, and the patented flip-dot system, which later evolved into the LED Destinator® signs. Today, as public transportation demand grows, Transign remains at the forefront, introducing products like LED signs, voice announcements, geo-location tracking, smart device applications, and more. Unique to Transign, they are the sole manufacturer still supplying roller curtain signs due to their cost and graphic benefits. Contact us today to learn more.

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World Day of Remembrance for Traffic Victims: Remembering those who lost their lives

The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is an international event commemorated every third Sunday of November every year. It aims to remember the millions of lives that have been lost and those seriously injured on the many roads around the world and to acknowledge the suffering of victims and the affected communities and families. 

Each year, many affected individuals are added to the millions that have been or are still being affected by traffic accidents. This solemn occasion is a crucial tool for governments and those who are involved in crash prevention or response to crashes, as it offers an opportunity to demonstrate the large impact and scale of road injuries and deaths. Moreover, it aims to end the often inappropriate and trivial response to road injuries and death while advocating for urgent concerted action to cease the carnage.

On top of this, the occasion is a tribute to the first responders, dedicated medical professionals, police, and emergency crews that deal with the traumatic aftermath of road accidents every day. 

Road victim organizations under the FEVR (Federation of Road Traffic Victims) in Europe have observed this day since 1995. It was initially known as the ‘European Day of Remembrance’ until other nations from Asia, South America, and Africa joined in and it became recognized as ‘World Day.’

On October 26, 2005, the United Nations adopted the World Day of Remembrance for Traffic Victims as an appropriate acknowledgment for the victims of road traffic crashes and their families. Today, this special occasion is commemorated all over the world, not just by national government organizations advocating for road victims and road safety, but also by all related and relevant governments and stakeholders. Even discerning businesses specializing in transit sign solutions are participating each year to promote better fleet management and driver, passenger, and pedestrian safety.

Promoting evidence-based actions to prevent and eventually stop further road traffic deaths and injuries

The World Day of Remembrance for Traffic Victims also acknowledges that traffic injuries and deaths are preventable to a great extent because the risk of incurring or causing an injury is largely predictable. Moreover, many existing countermeasures are proven effective. Exposure to risks of road injury can be minimized with these strategies:

      • Better land use to minimize the volume of motor vehicle traffic;
      • Provide efficient networks where quicker or shorter routes are also considered safe;
      • Encourage people to change from high-risk to low-risk modes of transportation; and
      • Place restrictions on vehicles, the road infrastructure, or motor vehicle users.

Setting speed limits and classifying roads may also help reduce the risk of traffic accidents and injuries.

Transign is one of the transit sign companies lending a helping hand in improving fleet management. The company offers a wide range of technologically advanced transportation sign solutions, which can help leading bus dealers, fleet operators, and transit agencies to provide safer and reliable services to their customers.

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Benefits of Bus Next Stop Announcement Systems and other references.

Digital technology has revolutionized public and private transportation. Digital innovations are now improving people’s lives and opening opportunities for the public, including easier accessibility, increased efficiency, and lower costs.

From commuters to marketers to management, public transit is now driven by data. It has never been simpler to use a voice announcements system for information and advertising announcements, and the benefits are extraordinary.

Passenger information systems are synced with LED signage to keep your riders informed and enable commuters to identify the next steps without having to read the display so that they can prepare to get off. As these systems are ADA compliant, they make riding the bus independent for hearing or visually disabled passengers. With Transign’s LED Destinator® (IPS) combined with Intermotives FlexSpeak ADA announcements, commuters always know when to get off and how long they have until their stop. Transign makes transit more accessible for everyone.

Commuters and transit companies widely praise these systems as they have proved to be crucial for aiding all passengers in making the use of transportation systems safer and more efficient. 

Next stop announcement systems are widely used in countries like the US, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, and others where it is employed by both public and private bus companies to streamline their operations while giving commuters consistent and safe bus-service performance. With the integration, transit agencies can announce public announcements, bus next stop, major nearby intersections, and also take advantage of location-based advertising as a means of generating revenue.

Integration of voice announcement systems enables operators to communicate both internal and external announcements during transit and at every stop—so that passengers with disabilities also can travel safely and conveniently. 

Benefits of Bus Next Stop Announcement System

  • Broadcast pre-programmed announcements to inform passengers of upcoming road diversions 
  • Provide crucial information on journeys, points-of-interest, travel connections, and real-time GPS-driven maps
  • Adjusts announcements to be heard over loud noises inside and outside
  • Next-stop announcements indicate journey arrival times, with a full graphic display offering a clear, readable screen 
  • Integrated GPS unit delivers accurate location details to automatically trigger system messages to provide natural voice text-to-speech converter and cheerful greetings.
  • Lets drivers focus on operating the vehicle safely
  • Easy to understand onboard & bus stop communications help riders navigate the system
  • Easily configure Fixed route stop locations and messages
  • Real-time GPS-driven maps deliver accurate trigger system messages
  • Broadcasts automatic and timely safety information 

IPS FlexSpeak ADA Solution` is an affordable, reliable passenger information system designed specifically with transit agencies in mind and is suitable for all fixed-route fleets, both large and small.

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How to Revive Ridership in Public Transit Post-COVID-19

COVID-19 is highly transmissible in enclosed spaces. Given the crowded nature of public transportation, authorities have had to either shut down or limit bus, train, and shuttle services in an effort to minimize the rate of infection. Some people also took to driving their own cars or riding bikes or motorcycles to avoid public transportation. But as lockdowns ease and vaccination rates increase, can public transit regain ridership? 

Many experts agree that yes—ridership will increase again. To ensure everyone’s safety, operators need to invest in modern passenger information systems in addition to encouraging the observance of health and safety protocols.

Digital transformationEmbrace digital transformation

The public transit industry must take steps to provide safer and more convenient rides to survive the pandemic and post-pandemic era. Even as the economy reopens, minimum health protocols such as mask requirements, contactless transactions, and social distancing will likely continue, especially in large cities. Many commuters will remain apprehensive about getting exposed to the virus when they take the bus or ride the train. The numbers certainly show this trend. According to Streetlight Data and the MTA, ridership in the New York City subway has not increased as rapidly as car traffic. While it’s up by 32 percent, car traffic is up by 58 percent. 

Public transit authorities need to think of ways to encourage people to move safely and increase their confidence during their commute. Services and technologies such as the next stop announcement system and digital transit sign can help make a difference in helping commuters navigate and plan their trips accordingly. Smart technologies and intelligent passenger sign systems can also help transit companies adapt to the new normal as the world continues to recover from the pandemic.

trip planning appEnable trip planning

Trip planning apps are becoming smarter and better at helping riders make informed decisions on their daily commutes. There have been a lot of developments in this field. In New Zealand, for example, there is an app that logs data as riders tap their transit cards to get on or off the bus. The app then uses this data to determine the number of available seats on any given bus. 

Such developments in passenger information systems can help male commutes safer by allowing passengers to plan their trips accordingly. Riders can quickly determine which routes are available ahead of time, so they know when and where to board and potentially avoid an overcrowded commute.

communicationEnhance communication

Voice announcement systems can encourage successful and timely communication, which is crucial to reduce the risk of spreading the virus while improving ridership. Such a system can be used to remind passengers to observe social distancing guidelines. It can also be used to let riders know that the bus is regularly sanitized to make them feel safer. Voice announcement systems are useful in providing immediate information on changes in services and disruptions, too. 

Riders shouldn’t be expected to visit the transit company’s website for announcements and advisories. The information should be communicated to them in real-time. A next stop announcement system can help with that.

Smart technologies can push announcements to passenger phones, too. These solutions also let drivers and managers stay constantly in touch for updates, monitoring of incidents or cases, and seamless coordination.

GPSUse GPS creatively

Modern passenger information systems come with next-generation GPS systems with updated features and better functionality. Previous GPS technologies were useful only for determining mileage, estimating arrival times, and navigation. Nowadays, they can be helpful in making trip adjustments according to traffic and road conditions, and the weather. This may help transit companies ensure a safer ride.

bus transportFocus on people who still rely on public transportation

Transit companies are becoming more flexible by applying relevant strategies that will help revive ridership. Many people will always rely on public transit to get around. A modern transit sign and voice announcement systems can help transit companies focus on serving the needs of these people to maintain and recover ridership during and well after the pandemic.

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Transign Roller Curtain Signs – An Economical Solution Without Compromising Quality

LED scrolling signs are the standard these days, but that doesn’t mean that older-style transit signs are no longer useful. In fact, many bus companies still prefer the roller sign because it’s an affordable and effective alternative. A high-quality roller curtain sign can provide reliable information to your passengers and make your fleet much more efficient.

What are roller curtain signs?

Roller curtainThe curtain sign is widely used in shuttles and buses. It is also called by other names such as ‘destination blinds,’ ‘destination scrolls,’ and ‘roll signs.’ It has been the most common type of destination sign for decades because it’s simple and it works. It uses a roll of flexible material with pre-printed destinations or route numbers and letters. At the end of the route, the vehicle operator manually turns the sign when reversing directions.

Older versions of the roller curtain sign were made of linen and Tyvek, and the roll is attached to metal tubes at the bottom and top, with flanges at the end of the tubes connected into a mechanism to control the rolling. Upper and lower rollers are sufficiently positioned apart to display the information, and an LED strip light is found behind the blinds for illumination.

Today, the roller sign is fully automated and digital to make it easier to change between destinations and routes, as well as show updates to the route network. New versions use Mylar, electric motors and efficient LED backlighting. They can easily be customized for more applications such as advertising, branding, and PR.

Purpose of roller curtain signs and their benefits

As transit signs, the purpose of roller curtain signs is to provide information about the route and destination of the bus, shuttle, or train. Updated destination blinds are more versatile in customization and display options so they can also be used for promotional purposes. Moreover, they can be used by sports teams, colleges, and private charter or shuttle services looking to enhance their branding efforts.

What advantages do these signs have over the now-popular LED signs?

roller curtainRoller curtain signs are more affordable than LED signs. Modern ones offer large lettering and a bright backlight with energy efficient LED lighting. Beyond that, these transit signs also offer integrated communication and branding, as well as logos and other graphics - plus versatility for smaller fleets, trolleys, collector vehicles, and cutaway buses.

High-quality destination blinds offer visibility of up to 500 feet. They have ADA compliant colors and fonts. They are easy to install, last long, and require minimal maintenance. All these make them cost-effective for any fleet in the long run.

Does this product still exist in the transit industries?

Despite being one of the original transit signs invented, the roller sign is still widely available and up-to-date for the modern fleet.

Who is the service provider for it?

Transign has been making innovative roller curtain signs for the transit industry since 1959. We are the only US manufacturer of roller signs, and they are proudly made in Michigan in full compliance with the Buy America Act, and they are backed by local customer support and excellent warranties. We have an in-house graphic design team that can customize your curtain sign to meet your special requirements.

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Rural Transit Day – Improve Safety with Better Fleet Management

Rural Transit Day was first celebrated on the 16th of July, 2019. It’s a special holiday that celebrates what different agencies are doing to improve the availability and safety of transportation everywhere. You can do your part in achieving this goal by improving your own fleet management by investing in high-quality transit sign solutions.

During this holiday, you can show your commitment to rural transit and pledge to:

  • Provide passengers with courteous, respectful, and helpful customer services
  • Understand that tribal and rural passengers have unique needs, so you should plan appropriate services to meet those needs.
  • Involve community stakeholders, elected officials, and passengers in service planning.
  • Provide equal services to every passenger, no matter the gender, age, income, abilities, or background.
  • Coordinate with community organizations to make sure that transportation is available to as many destinations as possible.
  • Make sure that facilities and vehicles are comfortable, clean, safe, and well-maintained.
  • Invest in education and training to keep staff skilled, current, and knowledgeable.
  • Have plans for potential disasters and emergencies, and communicate them to stakeholders.
  • Invest in and remain up-to-date with new technologies and opportunities for funding to keep improving services.

Crises common in rural areas

Rural busPublic transportation in rural communities tends to be inefficient. Many riders across the country have no alternatives to rural public transit. They rely on public transportation to get around. In some communities, the nearest supermarket or hospital is about an hour’s drive away, and they can be very hard to access for those who have no personal vehicles and have to rely on rural public transportation.

During this time of a pandemic, many people use public transportation services to get to a vaccination appointment or find medical treatment. This means that transit agencies must take extra measures to protect drivers and riders to avoid the spread of disease.

The main challenges in rural transit are funding, training, safety, service expansion, and ridership. Beyond that, there are also issues with staffing, inability to buy new vehicles, driver retention, scheduling and dispatching management, and customer service. There are also many barriers to accessing technologies such as modern transportation signs.

Improving driver and passenger safety with better fleet management

The safety of drivers and passengers is of utmost importance in rural transport. With modern solutions, it may be easier to deliver up-to-date information to the driver and commuters.  An advanced transit sign is ADA compliant and ideal for all types of fleets. Highly adaptable, it can be fully integrated into next stop, route, and destination announcement services.

Overcoming the transit challenges in rural areas

Local communities and transit groups and businesses are making efforts to face the challenges of public transportation in rural areas. Their objectives include developing and maintaining a safe, economically sound, and environmentally sensitive transportation system while promoting public health. They also aim to ensure that personal or public transportation meets employment, personal, cultural, health, economic, and other needs for everyone, especially at-risk populations.

Rural transit agencies are focused on customer-centric services, strong leadership, and the ability and willingness to do all they can to provide riders for passengers so everyone can get to their destination. New technologies like advanced transportation sign solutions will play a big role in this endeavor.

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How Vintage Bus Destination Blinds Are Making a Comeback in the Transit Industry

When it comes to bus signage, the function is often a priority over aesthetics. Vintage bus destination blinds can offer both. These anachronistic-looking signs have a classic allure that still looks stylish even in today’s age of digital displays. Despite modern LED bus signs being widely used today, old-school destination signs are still preferred by some transit companies looking to preserve tradition. 

Vintage bus blinds were widely used in the 1960s on buses that served major cities. They proved to be practical in helping the riding public organize their trips. High-quality bus destination blinds back in the day were typically made from hand-printed backlit linen rolls indicating the destinations and routes.

In the 1980s, modern materials allowed for the manufacture of stronger, more durable, and more legible bus destination blinds. They were machine produced and remained in use until digital solutions began replacing them in the following years.

Why use these vintage signs?

The purpose of vintage bus destination blinds remains the same: to provide a visual guide for passengers to let them know where they’re headed.

These classic signs are still used by some transit companies today despite the availability of modern digital LED signs. They’re making a comeback not only because of their timeless aesthetic but also because of their practicality.

Low cost Low cost

Bus destination blinds are cheaper to make than digital signs and are therefore more affordable. This makes them practical for transit companies looking to cut costs while providing high-quality services to their commuters.

Design Design flexibility

Vintage destination blinds are appealing as decorative pieces. Some printing companies have even replicated this design, making curtains that resemble them by screen printing fabric and framing it for easy hanging.

eye catching Eye-catching graphics

Bus destination signs have a classic appeal that’s simply inimitable. They can easily be customized with unique graphics, logos, and images—something that’s hard to do with LED signs. Those with a love for all things retro will find these signs more appealing than their modern counterparts.

Advantages of vintage destination signs over LED signage

Vintage Bus BlindsLED bus signs may be more prominently used in public transportation these days, but old school bus destination signs are still finding their way onto fleets thanks to their nostalgic look and their practicality. It’s likely that you’ve found them on streetcars and trolleys, too, as they are very effective for promotional purposes. Moreover, they can be used to enhance the interior design of a bus.

Where can you get bus destination blinds?

We are proud to be the only manufacturer of vintage destination blinds for buses in North America today. Don’t hesitate to contact Transign for custom solutions that will suit your fleet’s unique requirements.

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How Effective is Route Management Software for Transit Industries

Meeting deadlines, providing efficient service, and improving operations is the cornerstone of customer satisfaction. Route management software uses the latest technology that works with other passenger information systems to ensure that drivers have access to the most optimal routes and successfully execute their tasks. 

Effective route optimization programs offer real-time data and actionable insights that go well beyond the limitations of manual route apparatus - helping organizations build additional competitive advantages.

Here are some of the benefits of route management software for transit industries:

Savings

Route management software helps identify the most cost-effective routes. According to recent studies, taking the optimized route can save fuel costs by almost 30%. Additionally, the lesser time the vehicle stays on the road, the lesser are the maintenance costs. Also, since everything is taken care of by the software, staff need not spend numerous hours looking for critical data.

Identify new opportunities

With route management software, a transit business has access to more information and better tools to generate estimated time of arrival, plan transit schedules, and optimize routes. This has become even more critical due to the rise of e-commerce and fierce retail competition. Using a unified solution, the transit industry can proactively identify new opportunities to reduce cost and continuously optimize operations in real-time. 

Improved efficiency

Route management software makes it quite simple and easy for the dispatcher to assign routes and track vehicles. With the technology, the team can monitor delays, route deviation, accidents, idling, and promptly respond to emergencies. With such critical insights, the transit team is better positioned to make efficient decisions. A computer map helps dispatchers know every vehicle's exact location in real-time. 

Improved productivity

Longer breaks, deviating from routes, and not managing time efficiently can cost the business serious money. Route management software adequately addresses this issue. With GPS tracking technology, managers can monitor their drivers' actions and take necessary decisions in a timely fashion. 

Route Management SoftwareInstantly plan complex routes with multiple stops

This technology will help you instantly (and optimally) plan routes with multiple stops while taking into account variables such as vehicle type, capacity, driving working hours, unique destination time windows, and more.

In a nutshell, Route management software minimizes the overall distance to the destination, reducing the amount of fuel consumed and monitoring drivers' activity to ensure that safe driving practices are being followed. Route management software enables the transit industry to reduce inefficiencies, understand operations, and gain additional ROI when the capability is embedded with Transign's open integration hardware that will offer an entire solution

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Top 5 Trends That Will Transform the Transportation Industry in 2021

Transportation remains essential, even post COVID-19, and it will play a large role in progress and development as the economy recovers from the pandemic. There is no doubt that efficient transportation of people and goods is key to growth. Thanks to new technologies, this sector has lots of exciting trends to look forward to in 2021. Here are some of them:

  1. Widespread digitization

Research indicates that over 50% of transportation companies are investing in digitalization with the expectation that it can improve their bottom line. Simplifying administration, production, and contracting processes will allow transit manufacturers to boost efficiency and profitability. On the other hand, more public transportation companies will use digital transportation signage products to make fleet management easier while improving passenger experience and will ultimately improve the viability of their business.

   2. Adoption of passenger information systems

A growing number of transit companies will use passenger information systems in order to cater to the expectations of the modern commuting public. One of the leaders in this sector is Transign, a transportation signage manufacturer that has teamed up with Passio Technologies and others to offer comprehensive passenger information systems. Transign’s solution provides the following benefits to their clients and to the riding public:

Automatic passenger counting to measure ridership levels

  • On-board bus information to show riders critical destination and route information, as well as announcements, public safety messages, and advertisements
  • On-board audio and visual communication to expand the capabilities of transit signs in initiating promotions and disseminating information
  • Hands-free operation to ensure that drivers do not get distracted
  • GPS-based message progression that displays real-time route information while reducing equipment failure and human error
  • Route management solutions that are configurable via a secure web interface using pre-set routes, interest points, and landmarks
  • Custom messages at predetermined trigger points.

Transign’s passenger information systems even offer an optional 3G dispatch system to remotely dispatch message updates and assign stop changes or detours while keeping the communication lines between drivers and dispatch operators open and instantaneous.

   3. Next-gen GPS capabilities

GPS systems have long been used in the public transportation industry, but older GPS systems are going to be overtaken by new and modern versions that add lots of functionality and updated features.

In the past, transit GPS services were limited to simply calculating mileage, pointing to the right direction, and estimating arrival times, but the latest GPS models are infinitely more versatile. Aside from providing these basic functions, they can now be programmed to make trip adjustments based on road and traffic conditions and even the weather, with the GPS sign informing passengers of any changes. This will allow not only public transit companies to make each trip safer, but more precise in terms of determining arrival times. Many of these new GPS services can be accessed with mobile devices that practically everyone has access to these days.

   4. Use of data analytics

Companies in the public transportation and supply chain sectors can rely on cutting-edge data analytics to examine and interpret passenger and consumer trends. With this intelligence, bus companies for example, can make informed decisions on issues like fleet and route management. Supply chain companies, on the other hand, can make better choices when it comes to matters such as tariff risks and costs, manufacturing and supplier issues, as well as logistical requirements. Data analytics ensures that transit company managers can make choices that are grounded on accurate facts—not conjectures.

   5. Environmental considerations

With the concept of climate change and global warming impacting all aspects of life, people are becoming more conscious of their carbon footprint. A growing segment of the population is expected to try and lessen their strain on the environment by taking public transportation when possible.

Now more than ever, bus companies and other public transit companies need to make the riding experience comfortable and convenient for their passengers. The technologies mentioned above can help them do exactly that.

If you are looking for passenger information systems, transportation signage, and GPS sign solutions, talk with Transign today. We offer technologies that will help you take your transit company into the future.

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What are Intelligent Transport and Transit Systems

An intelligent transportation or transit system (ITS) is a combination of advanced applications and devices aiming to provide innovative traffic management services that allow users to make smarter, safer, and better informed use of transportation networks.

You have probably seen it in action in the form of cameras being used to monitor congested intersections, emergency calling when accidents occur, or GPS signs that show updated speed limit changes according to weather and traffic conditions. Furthermore, ITS technologies are applied in highway management to facilitate optimal route timing and planning, with the goal of reducing congestion. It is also used by city administrators to maintain better traffic systems and keep their cities moving efficiently.

In terms of public transportation, ITS technologies are used for route guidance and trip optimization. For example, some of the best bus companies today use a combination of passenger information systems and GPS transit signs to keep their passengers in the loop about the current location of their buses, the next stop, the most recent schedule, and any delays or changes that may affect their journey.

How your fleet can benefit from intelligent transport and transit systems

A proficient and well organized use of ITS technologies can help public transportation fleets—such as buses and trolleys—to make their operations more efficient while improving the experience of their passengers. For example, robust passenger information systems can provide:

  • Data collection – Data can be gathered using different types of hardware devices such as GPS vehicle locators, cameras, sensors, automatic vehicle identifiers, passenger counting, etc. These devices can record information such as traffic count, travel time and speed, delays, surveillance, vehicle performance and more. They are connected to servers in data collection centers that store this information for analysis.
  • Data analysis – Information that’s been received is processed further to rectify errors. Data synthesis, cleaning, and adaptive local analysis are employed to predict traffic scenarios and determine what information is appropriate for assessment.
  • Data transmission and delivery – Successful ITS implementation is contingent upon real time communication. After analysis, data collected from ITS hardware has to be communicated to passengers through on-board and in-station transit signs and GPS sign systems. Travel related announcements can also be sent to passengers online or via SMS.

Your drivers and your passengers will appreciate having access to real-time information such as route changes, diversions, road accidents that affect their trip and much more. Intelligent transportation and transit systems can help you provide pertinent information to riders as well as operators.

No wonder the most successful bus fleets today have started using passenger information systems and other intelligent transportation and transit solutions to improve ridership loyalty and overall profitability. If you are serious about growing your transit business and improving its future readiness, it’s time you explore the benefits of these sustems.

Get complete ITS technologies from Transign

Transign’s complete ITS solutions are designed to meet the highest standards for various transportation applications. While we started out as a transit sign company, we have invested in technologies and partnerships with different companies to provide passenger information systems and integrated GPS sign solutions for bus fleets. We can help you smoothly carry your passengers to their destination safely and on time.

Our easy-to-use passenger information systems will enable your fleet managers to make better decisions. From overseeing driver performance to improving overall passenger experience, our comprehensive ITS solution will help you achieve your goals. We have designed technologies that not only provide in-vehicle security and rider counting, but also integrate information regarding current traffic situations to increase the reliability of your fleet and help your managers act accordingly based on actionable data.

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