Though the University Transit Service hoped to introduce new technology at the start of the semester that would notify passengers of bus arrival times, the system's launch has been delayed while final testing stages are completed. The new service is expected to be available to the public in the next month, according to UTS Director Rebecca White.
UTS officials have been working alongside Connectionz, the New Zealand computer technology company that developed the system, since October of last year to compile data about bus routes to achieve maximum efficiency before releasing the information and implementing the system, White said.
According to White and UTS coordinator Mike Goddard, the system requires a large database of information because the technology only allows for calculation of a bus' physical distance from a stop, rather than its arrival time. To compute a bus' expected arrival time, the new system executes a three-step process. First, the distance of the bus from its next stop is added to the database at the UTS office via satellite. Second, the database compares the distance to previous times in which that bus has covered the same distance and, third, the calculated arrival time is displayed on the Internet and at some bus stops.
"We have representatives from Connectionz training us on how to keep the system running properly," Goddard said. "Once we have the software installed, then basically we will turn the system on in order to let the buses trek through their routes to gather information until we are comfortable and operating at a high rate of success."
The original schedule was to run the test period during Winter Break, according to White, who attributes the delay to the intricate installation process and necessity for system accuracy.
"If we don't gather enough data for the system to use, then the system won't predict arrival times accurately, and people won't trust the system," she explained.
White added that UTS will continue to hold student forums about route development and responses to the technology. The next forum will occur next month, and UTS officials are working to develop a frequently asked questions section of their Web site to address issues such as transit from University Heights, which recently saw a controversial route change, and an added stop at Hereford College.
White said she expects the system to be available to the public in the next three weeks, but Goddard said he expects students will have to wait a little longer before they can avoid waiting in the cold for their bus.
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