OCEAN CITY – City officials are exploring the concept of launching a smart phone app that will provide real-time data for the town’s bus transit system.
On Tuesday morning, the Transportation Commission met to investigate the NextBus system.
“The NextBus presentation is really a follow up discussion of apps for the utilization of transportation, more specifically for the users to identify where the buses are, when they are coming and try to make the system more user-friendly,” Commission Chair and Mayor Rick Meehan said. “This discussion began over two years ago, so it has taken a long time for us to get to this point.”
Public Works Director Hal Adkins explained a few years back the Maryland Transportation Administration (MTA) began to develop a Transportation Development Plan (TDP). At that time, the MTA assigned transit systems across the state, including Ocean City, the consultant KFH Group. A subcommittee was formed made of stakeholders to meet with the consultant.
“This master plan was to focus on technology related issues. In the executive summary to it you would find a sheet … that references such things as bus arrival systems, on-board cameras for surveillance, electronic fare box systems, smart car technology, etc.,”Adkins said. “One of the first things we wanted to bring to this commission was a bus prediction arrival system. One of those systems that are used throughout the nation by many transit agencies is a private line called NextBus.”
NextBus Director of Sales and Marketing Tom Noyes walked the commission through the many aspects to the bus prediction arrival system that benefits both the bus rider and the town.
NextBus provides actual arriving information as it is updated at regular intervals using GPS technology and a proprietary algorithm that incorporates historical travel data to track vehicles and predict vehicle arrival time. By taking into account the actual position of the buses, their intended stops and typical traffic patterns, NextBus can estimate vehicle arrivals with a high degree of accuracy. This estimate is refreshed constantly to provide riders with up-to-the-minute information.
NextBus arrival information is made available through the Internet on smartphones and tablets, computers, and LED signs found at bus shelters and transit depots. Also, riders can receive information by text, as well as subscribe to receive messages pertinent to their route. Riders can even set an alarm to warn them of a bus arrival. The website and app also provide real-time map images that show where buses are located as well as where bus stops are located.
On the administrative side, NextBus provides transit authorities the information they need to manage daily transit operations more productively, such as schedule adherence reports, headway reports, job reports, real-time map interface and replay map capabilities.
NextBus also provides the option to install a sensor on buses that counts passengers and reports when the bus meets capacity.
Ocean City currently operates an Automatic Vehicle Location GPS system called Air-Trak. According to Noyes, NextBus would be able to tap into the system to collect data to provide real-time information, which would be the least expensive option for Ocean City. However, other hardware would be needed to provide other NextBus options, such as communication with bus drivers and passenger count.
City Engineer Terry McGean pointed out the cost for a passenger count per bus is expensive, about $4,000 each.
“He [Noyes] has given us a very thorough presentation of everything NextBus can do but there is also the basic system and we need to decide what is the most important to start with, and then add on,” Meehan said. “We would have to talk about what is it that we need today, and what is that we can add on in the future.”
The commission convened into a closed session to discuss exact costs to the different options NextBus provides and the equipment necessary to operate the system.
Prior to closed session, Adkins explained funding for NextBus is in competition for much needed maintenance costs in the amount of $90,000.
“I wanted the commission to be aware as we conclude today’s discussion and get into a financial discussion … there may be competing interests for the same dollars,” Adkins said. “When it comes to the West Ocean City Park and Ride that was constructed in 2001/2002, and the north Transit Center on 144th Street, we have some substantial facility renovations that are necessary.”
According to Adkins, Public Works has tried for the last two fiscal years to receive grant assistance from the MTA. However, based on limited funding on the state level, requests have been denied.
According to Budget Manager Jennie Knapp, funding is currently available without having to conduct an appropriation from fund balance but it would depend on how the town proceeds with other issues, such as NextBus.
“I can consider a $90,000 allocation in FY16 which means surviving another summer with facilities that are not in the right appearance and you would want your visitors to see. I would rather get the work done this spring,” Adkins said.