Orbital Sciences has implemented the first part of a new GPS-based transit management system in Singapore. Under a contract awarded by the privately-run Singapore Bus Services (SBS) Ltd. in early 2000, Orbital's TMS division has been developing the Automatic Vehicle Management System (AVMS) to monitor and track a fleet of 2,700 transit vehicles.
The AVMS includes six subsystems, the first of which — the Autonomous Bus Service (ABS) — is now operating on in- service buses in Singapore. The remaining subsystems will be phased into SBS's operations over the next several years.
The ABS subsystem introduces some of the key features of vehicle tracking technology in an operational environment. It displays real-time schedule adherence information, helping to educate drivers in the use of the onboard console to know whether they are running ahead of or behind a preplanned schedule.
The ABS subsystem also collects performance data that SBS can review to determine whether a bus route schedule needs to be revised to improve on-time performance and enhance customer satisfaction.
Mr. Cheng Lay Tin, Vice President of Corporate Communications for SBS, said, "We are very pleased and encouraged by the progress and dedication shown by the Orbital TMS team in support of the AVMS program."
Speaking for Orbital, Mr. David L. Mathisen, Vice President and General Manager of the TMS Division, said, "Our success in meeting an aggressive schedule to implement the first phase of the SBS program indicates that we are off to a very encouraging start on this important and high-profile vehicle management program with SBS. The outstanding cooperation between Orbital's team and SBS went a long way to ensure the on-time delivery of this first phase."
The Global Positioning System (GPS)-based AVMS is designed to enhance bus service management, schedule adherence and asset utilization. Once complete, SBS expects that it will make a significant impact in Singapore, a country where public transportation is widely used.
With its large scale implementation in the high-tech Singapore market, Orbital TMS intends to use the SBS program as a model to pursue other opportunities to help manage public transit systems across the globe.
