Connexionz, a leading provider of smart transit systems, has been awarded a unique contract to deliver a multi-agency regional passenger information system across three US states.
Connexionz will initially manage and support seven partner agency fleets, with the potential to scale and link up to 18 separate transport operators across Washington, Oregon and Idaho. The company will develop a new ‘iTransitNW’ portal and smartphone app, which will connect several transport networks across three US states to enable passengers convenient access to real-time information on all rural and intercity transit and transfer connections. One of the main aims of the project is to produce an integrated rural transit system that enhances community mobility, improves traveler experiences, increases driver and passenger safety, improves operational processes, and gives access to important vehicle diagnostics.
Connexionz’ development of the iTransitNW portal and supporting smartphone app is now underway and is expected to go live by mid-2018. Ongoing support and maintenance services including on-site support is also included, together with an extended three-year warranty period for all software and hardware. The contract includes the provision of onboard technologies for partner agencies with optional add-on services, such as multimedia, next-stop audiovisual alerts, vehicle diagnostics, automatic passenger counting, farebox integration, and other services. Automatic vehicle location (AVL) systems with covert alarms and audio/video capability will also be installed to allow dispatch centers to direct first-responders to the precise real-time location of the bus in the event of an emergency.
“The solution is based on our TransitManager ITS suite. However, instead of managing just one agency network, the iTransitNW system will manage multiple networks across a wide geographical area,” explained Connexionz CEO, Rhod Pickavance. “Live data feeds from multiple regional transit operators across the three US states will be captured and shared on both a website and a smartphone app, enabling riders to see all the connecting rural and intercity public transport services in the region. In addition, the system will input feeds from regional agencies that have their own existing real-time service information to provide a fully connected regional transport service.”
Lead agency in the contract, Valley Transit’s general manager, Dick Fondahn, said, “Passengers were saying that they did not understand how to make a transfer from one transit to another. We needed an integrated solution that would help riders feel more aware and assured of their transit options.”
