The Chicago Transportation Authority launched, The third most populous city in the United States of America after New York City and Los Angeles, A pilot project in partnership with the private sector that connects most of the automated devices and cameras used in public transport facilities and means in the city and its suburbs within a single electronic platform, The Authority’s management enables the monitoring and forecasting of passenger traffic density on various transport lines and responding to them in real time.

While Chicago has one of the best public transportation systems in the United States — second only to New York City — it was ill-equipped to deal with exceptional, unpredictable circumstances. Like the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Transportation Authority statistics indicate that the number of trips completed by public transport passengers in the city of Chicago and its suburbs decreased in 2020 – compared to 2019 – by almost 58%. Especially with the pandemic escalating during March, April, and May when most public transport was almost empty of passengers. Statistically, This means a decline from 455.7 million trips (including 237.3 million bus trips, and 218.4 million on trains) to 197.5 million trips (of which 121.5 million were on buses and 76.0 million on trains).

The main challenge for the city of Chicago, As in the majority of major cities in the United States and the world, In raising the rates of public transport use by the public to the level they were before the pandemic. The rise in passenger numbers signals economic recovery. Especially in Chicago, which ranks third among American cities in terms of economic output. Economic analysts agree that cities that have invested heavily in road and transportation networks throughout America’s history, It has always been the most contributing to the national economy.

The Transport Authority has realized that the most important element that must be available in its endeavor to increase the percentage of population use of public transportation is data on the occupancy rate of seats compared to the capacity of buses and train compartments on different lines and at different times. Because this data will enable them to determine the appropriate pace of bus and train movement on various routes and times to meet the demand of passengers in proportion to their requirements, In addition to the possibility of improving the user experience, This will contribute to increasing the attractiveness of using public transport.

But the challenge lies in the lack of data on public transport usage rates at the Authority. or are outdated data or based on estimates that may or may not reflect current reality, Especially as official preventive measures related to the pandemic continue to change. Although automated devices are available in some locations that allow, for example, the purchase of tickets, Which can be used as one of the means to know the number of passengers in each bus or train, However, these devices are not directly connected to electronic systems or are incomplete. But most importantly, this seat occupancy data is available, and demand level forecasts, accurately and in real time so that the Authority can make the necessary adjustments to the transportation trips, which ensures the effectiveness and reliability of operations, and short waiting times for passengers at stations, Taking into account maintaining social distancing appropriately.

The direction of the Transport Authority was to search for an advanced technical solution that allows collecting data on passenger traffic in real time. At the same time, it makes use of existing devices and data. The pilot project was developed with the help of CityTech, a nonprofit that specializes in accelerating digital solutions in urban areas. and Digi International, a specialist in Internet of Things solutions. The partners implemented the project on 10 buses operating on one of the city’s busiest routes over a period of six months ending in August 2021. A system has been installed that counts the number of passengers and transmits real-time data directly to the Public Transport Department.

The project serves three purposes: Monitor the level of demand for services with the use of video cameras already in buses; Use data management tools to support bus and train network operations; Leverage data analytics applications and predictive models in proactive demand management processes. It relies to a large extent on the electronic equipment existing at the Authority, including vending machines; computer-aided bus and train deployment and vehicle positioning system; high-speed internet for passenger use; passenger meters; CCTV security cameras; remote engine diagnostics; And calculate their speeds and stopping periods at stations.

The process of integrating these different systems represented an existing unified system and a single exhibition platform, and cost-effectively, A major challenge in its own right, The software may be incompatible or adopt different protocols for connecting to the Internet and mobile phones. However, for IT-limited budget transport authorities, the success of mergers has been an important advantage that exempts them from waiting for an adequate budget allocation for an integrated system.

Through the project, the Transport Authority seeks to achieve several objectives, The most important of these is to respond to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic to mobility, Providing high-level transport services using the latest technologies to ensure the comfort and ease of movement of passengers and attract more of them, In addition to achieving effective management of resources, And contribute to stimulating business movement and pushing the city’s economy.

A key element of the Chicago pilot project was the collection of “real-time public transport system data” (RTPI) at the lowest cost. This provided the public with useful information that increased the use of public transport by 2%. In a very promising experience to achieve the desired goals. Where studies have confirmed the importance of the psychological factor for the user of public transport, Especially in terms of waiting to receive services, And meet his expectations in an era of speed and immediate access to information. It has been established that the passenger with access to information, Saves at least 15 minutes of waiting compared to others. The provision of this information also leads to an increase in the rate of use of public transport.

References:

• https://statetechmagazine.com/article/2021/11/how-chicago-transit-authority-benefits-real-time-data-analysis
• https://www.wri.org/insights/real-time-transit-data-good-people-and-cities-whats-holding-technology-back
• https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-01-22/how-to-make-waiting-for-the-bus-feel-much-much-shorter