Real Time Bus Tracking

[hughjulia]

Real Time Bus Tracking

Here is a quote from the tech site Engadget:

New York's Metropolitan Transit Authority launched a pilot program a few months back that offered bus riders some real-time tracking information, but it's now expanded things with a whole new program on the B63 route in Brooklyn. That service is currently accessible via a mobile-friendly website or text message, and smartphone users can also scan simply snap a picture of a barcode (presumably a QR code) at a bus stop to immediately check in on the location of the next five buses that will arrive at the stop.

How wonderful would it be if Disney did something similar!

Imagine standing at a bus stop, pulling up an iPhone or Android app and knowing exactly when the next bus to Epcot will arrive. Even better you could be in the gift shop, turn around and say “we still have 15 minutes before the next bus is here”. I remember last year trying to decide if I had time to run back to the room for a jacket.

This is happening now. The future is now. Someone needs to stick this in front of Disney and say do this now! People would love it.

 

[seashoreCM]

I would have liked to see something I think is simpler, sign boards near the exit telling when buses would arrive.

Similar to the sign boards that tell which rides are closed and how long the wait is.

Disney would have to commit to the times, including if the bus arrives early it may not leave early.

 

[goofy4tink]

The Disney buses are too fluid to do this. They aren't on a true schedule...so about the only thing you could do was have a board at each stop that could tell you when the next bus to which park would be there. Even that would be iffy. Or they could post the times the last bus left the stop...at least give you some idea of how long until the next bus comes along. Ball park figure at best.

 

[hughjulia]

The Disney buses are too fluid to do this. They aren't on a true schedule...so about the only thing you could do was have a board at each stop that could tell you when the next bus to which park would be there. Even that would be iffy. Or they could post the times the last bus left the stop...at least give you some idea of how long until the next bus comes along. Ball park figure at best.

I should have been more specific. The New York Metropolitan Transit Authority has placed GPS units on each of the buses in the pilot program. Information from the GPS trackers is passed back to centralize servers. This real time location data is then made available to individuals with smart phones. This is perfect for buses that are not on a true schedule.

What has made this possible is that with the advent of smart phones individuals are now literally carrying around hand held computers.

If this pilot is successful, MTA BusTime will be expanded across the city, with every bus on Staten Island due to receive the new technology this year.

"Today, the transit system is quickly catching up with our 21st century expectation that real-time information is available on the go for all New Yorkers," said MTA Chairman Jay H. Walder. "That means knowing if your bus is on time before you leave home, getting updates on delays while you're out and about, and unlocking opportunities for better service across our entire network. MTA BusTime is a big part of this new vision for bus service in New York."

 

[Ress76]

My understanding-and someone else I'm sure has better information-is that Disney buses do not necessarily run on a closed loop-Pop to DHS to Pop to DHS to Pop etc. I believe it's more like Pop to DHS...oh, we need a bus to pick up at CBR to MK...we need a bus to pick up at WL for AK etc. I imagine it would be difficult to coordinate an estimated arrival time when the bus making the pick up could be anywhere in the process of their original/prior route when the are alerted to where their next stop would be.

It is, however, very interesting technology for anyone who does utilize public transportation on a more standardized loop. It would be great for us Northerners to knwo the next bus won't be there for 11 minutes, so we don't need to go out in the 3 degree cold and wait for it just yet!

Ress

 

[McLaughlinS]

I saw a picture of a Disney Transport sign on a nother fella's site. (I'm not "josh"ing you.) It looks to me like WDW is in fact (at minimum) testing this concept.

Has anyone experienced it first hand?

 

[DOOM1001]

Yes, I did wait for a bus at the Grand Floridian probably 2-3 years ago where they had a monitor showing the estimated bus arrival times for the buses.It was probably a test as they obviously removed them.This system is also used in my local area but I have a feeling at Disney it would just be too complicated and just not consistent.I remember while waiting at the Grand Floridian for a bus that said would come in 7-8 minutes and it took almost 20 minutes as the time kept getting pushed back.

 

[wdwrich]

They do this (GPS tracking) of the shuttle buses for the large University campus where I work. You can check on any browser or smart phone to see where the buses on your route are currently located. It's a very useful feature, and would love to see something similar at WDW!