Intelligent Transport Systems: Improving the Passenger Experience

The passenger experience is one of the most important aspects of a successful transit agency.

But, how can transport operators implement the right tools to encourage more satisfied riders across their transportation network?

The answer is simple – intelligent transportation systems (ITS).

Read on to find out how this advanced software can enhance the rider experience.

Accurate Journey Information

One effective way to improve the rider experience is to make sure every passenger can easily plan their journeys. To do this, transport operators can use real-time passenger information (RTPI).

RTPI provides accurate information on the arrival times of each vehicle at a stop, as well as the routes they’ll be taking, shown on high-quality displays. 

Intelligent software analyzes a vehicle's positional data, surrounding traffic, speed, and more, to predict how long it will take to arrive at the stop. The information, including any updates or changes, is shown on displays which can be found on-platform, on-street, or on-vehicle displays.

Riders, therefore, have the most accurate information, so they can plan their journeys more precisely, and stay informed if things change in real time.

Increased Journey Efficiency

Another way to improve the passenger experience is to increase the efficiency of journeys, so riders can reach their destinations as quickly as possible.

Real-time vehicle monitoring allows operators to track the positional information of their vehicles, and use this to gain insights into the best routes to take.

This will factor in events such as road closures, delays, and traffic, to ensure vehicles can always take the fastest route available. 

As a result, riders will complete their journeys in good time, leaving them more inclined to ride with that specific network again.

Reliable Services

Many riders want a transit agency that provides a reliable service at all times of the day, especially during peak times.

With the insights from ITS, operators can detect rider demand and adjust their schedules accordingly. This can help ensure there’s the right number of active vehicles to meet passenger demand.

Also, operators can analyze insights on the best arrival times for each vehicle at every stop, so no vehicle arrives too close or far from one another. 

This way, passengers can rely on a trustworthy service to be running optimally at all times of the day, where they won’t have to wait too long to board a vehicle and complete their journey.

Seamless and Uninterrupted Journeys

Rider satisfaction can also be increased by ensuring smooth and uninterrupted journeys.

Operators can use ITS to detect any issues that arise throughout their transport network, and even predict problems before they happen.

This can include a range of things such as service delays, transportation gaps, unmet demands, or broken equipment.

By detecting these issues as they happen, operators can take quick action to resolve the problem(s), with minimal disruption to journeys.

For instance, a faulty ticket reader can be resolved with the transit operators sending out a replacement immediately, minimizing interruptions or delays for riders.

With these expert systems in place, operators can have a more effective way of driving rider satisfaction and create a more enjoyable rider experience with every journey in their transportation network.