THE CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY'S BUS SERVICE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

The paper describes a high technology bus management system, the Bus Service Management System (BSMS) to stem the severe ridership decline experienced by the Chicago Transit Authority. The BSMS addresses the following service improvement issues: service reliability; reduced trip times; and real time public information. It includes the following subsystems: automatic on-route vehicle loacation; computer aided dispatch; computerized service restoration; data storage on memory module card; coordination of bus routes; automatic passenger estimation; next stop displays inside buses; street announcements; destination signs that are centrally controllable; real time 'next bus' displays and announcements; and traffic signal preemption. Plans for BSMS implementation are described. Progress to date on the BSMS is also noted.