Chicago Transit Authority installs computerized bus-tracking system for 1,800 fleet vehicles for an estimated cost of $8.8 million.

Demonstration by Chicago Transit Authority of a new technology designed to reduce bus bunching and gaps in service.

Made Public Date
02/14/2017
Identifier
2016-SC00369
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Summary Information

In 2015, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) implemented the Bus Transit Management System (BTMS) that monitors bus movements in real-time to address "bus bunching" and long waits between buses. Through touch-screen terminals on every CTA bus, BTMS allows for improved two-way communication between drivers and CTA’s Control and Power Center (C/PC), the command center that monitors all bus and train operations throughout the service region.

The system enables the Control Center to better track the location and movement of buses, and quickly convey route or speed changes to operators in order to ensure proper spreading of buses and adherence to schedule when possible. If Control Center personnel detect conditions that could lead to a service delay or bus bunching — more than one bus arriving at a stop at or near the same time — they can instruct the driver to adjust the route accordingly. Further, if the Control Center needs to send a message to multiple buses about a reroute due to police or fire activity, it can be done instantaneously.

Software and hardware costs for fitting the 1,800 bus fleet with the BTMS system was estimated at $8.8 million.

System Cost

Software and hardware costs for equipping 1,800 CTA buses: $8.8 million (in 2015 dollars)