Division of Research
& Innovation
Report CA07- 0760
December 2008
Emergency EDAPTS Retainer Support
Final Report
Emergency EDAPTS Retainer Support
Final Report
Report No. CA07- 0760
December 2008
Prepared By:
California Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo, CA
Prepared For:
California Department of Transportation
Division of Research and Innovation, MS- 83
1227 O Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
DISCLAIMER STATEMENT
This document is disseminated in the interest of information exchange. The contents of this report
reflect the views of the authors who are responsible for the facts and accuracy of the data presented
herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the State of California
or the Federal Highway Administration. This publication does not constitute a standard,
specification or regulation. This report does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of
any product described herein.
STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
TECHNICAL REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE
TR0003 ( REV. 10/ 98)
1. REPORT NUMBER
CA07- 0760
2. GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION NUMBER
3. RECIPIENT’S CATALOG NUMBER
5. REPORT DATE
June 29, 2007
4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE
EMERGENCY EDAPTS RETAINER SUPPORT
6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
7. AUTHOR( S)
Jeffrey Gerfen
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
10. WORK UNIT NUMBER
9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
Cal Poly State University at San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA
11. CONTRACT OR GRANT NUMBER
65A0198
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
Final ( 4/ 18/ 2005 to 6/ 30/ 2007)
12. SPONSORING AGENCY AND ADDRESS
California Department of Transportation
Division of Research and Innovation, MS- 83
1227 O Street, P. O. Box 942873, Sacramento, CA 95814
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
15. SUPPLEMENTAL NOTES
16. ABSTRACT
The Efficient Deployment of Advanced Transportation Systems ( EDAPTS) Smart Transit System Project
required various quick- response deployment support activities over the 26- month period from April 18, 2005
to June 30, 2007. These activities required immediate, short- term support from the original EDAPTS
research development team at Cal Poly State University at San Luis Obispo. These efforts were in support
of the Federal Transit Administration’s ( FTA) interest in helping Caltrans move the EDAPTS concept of
lower cost Intelligent Transportation Systems into the mainstream transit marketplace.
Under this contract, Cal Poly provided research support services to Caltrans for presentations at national
transit conventions, updated marketing materials, supported technical interchange meetings with potential
suppliers, researchers and end users and maintained the San Luis Obispo Transit EDAPTS system as
needed to keep the system available for demonstrations to potential users and suppliers.
17. KEY WORDS
EDAPTS, transit, ITS, SLO Transit, Cal Poly, San Luis
Obispo, Caltrans, FTA
18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
No restrictions. This document is available to the
public through the National Technical Information
Service, Springfield, VA 22161
19. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION ( of this report)
Unclassified
20. NUMBER OF PAGES
6
21. PRICE
Reproduction of completed page authorized
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EMERGENCY EDAPTS RETAINER SUPPORT
FINAL REPORT
CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY
JUNE 29, 2007
PREPARED FOR CALTRANS DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
This final report, “ Emergency EDAPTS Retainer Support”, was submitted in
fulfillment of Caltrans contract # 65A0198 by California Polytechnic State
University under the sponsorship of Caltrans Department of Research and
Innovation. Work was completed as of June 29, 2007.
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DISCLAIMER
The statements and conclusions in this report are those of the contractor and not necessarily
those of Caltrans Department of Research and Innovation. The mention of commercial products,
their source, or their use in connection with material reported herein is not to be construed as
actual or implied endorsement of such products.
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1. INTRODUCTION
The Efficient Deployment of Advanced Transportation Systems ( EDAPTS) Smart Transit
System Project required various quick- response deployment support activities over the 26 month
period from April 18, 2005 to June 30, 2007. These activities required immediate, short- term
support from the original EDAPTS research development team at Cal Poly State University at
San Luis Obispo. These efforts were in support of the Federal Transit Administration’s ( FTA)
interest in helping Caltrans move the EDAPTS concept of lower cost Intelligent Transportation
Systems into the mainstream transit marketplace.
2. PROJECT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
As part of this contract, support efforts in seven areas were identified as necessary to support
EDAPTS deployment- related activities:
1. Developing EDAPTS presentation and marketing materials for use by Cal Poly and/ or
Caltrans personnel.
2. Writing technical papers on EDAPTS for publication in transit and transportation
journals.
3. Refurbishing and maintaining the EDAPTS trade- show hardware demonstration console
that was developed during the Phase 2 EDAPTS project.
4. Supporting Caltrans in developing and presenting EDAPTS concepts at transportation
related trade shows, seminars or workshops throughout the United States.
5. Providing booth support staff for EDAPTS displays at transportation related trade shows,
seminars or workshops throughout the United States.
6. Coordinating and giving EDAPTS presentations and demonstrations, either in San Luis
Obispo or at other locations in California and the United States.
7. Maintaining an inventory of EDAPTS publication materials and open- source release
material for distribution as needed by Caltrans.
To this end, the following work has been accomplished:
Cal Poly worked with Caltrans Department of Research and Development ( DRI) to develop an
EDAPTS status Power- point presentation to be presented at the Community Transportation
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Association of America ( CTAA) EXPO in May of 2005. Cal Poly also received input and
revised the EDAPTS color brochure. One thousand copies were printed for future use.
Cal Poly refurbished the EDAPTS trade- show demonstration console that was developed during
the Phase 2 EDAPTS project. This console is used to provide a hands- on demonstration of
EDAPTS on- board hardware systems.
Cal Poly EDAPTS researchers traveled to Cal Poly Pomona and presented EDAPTS to Cal Poly
Pomona researchers and parking/ commuter services staff, and Calfornia Center for Innovative
Transportation ( CCIT) staff to facilitate possible EDAPTS test deployment at Cal Poly Pomona.
This meeting laid the groundwork for future joint EDAPTS work between Cal Poly San Luis
Obispo, Cal Poly Pomona, and CCIT. A follow- on meeting between these three institutions was
held in San Luis Obispo to further develop the concept of an EDAPTS deployment package.
EDAPTS researchers met with RouteMatch Corp. and Cal Poly Pomona in August of 2005 to
discuss future partnership and deployment possibilities for EDAPTS. Researchers also met with
potential system integrators at this meeting. EDAPTS researchers hosted a pre- project kickoff
meeting March of 2006 with RouteMatch Corp., a potential EDAPTS integrator. Topics relating
to how a private company might work as an EDAPTS integrator were explored. Potential future
EDAPTS projects were discussed when researchers hosted a meeting with the Kerry Klinger
group. Cal Poly researchers also supported the EDAPTS Technical Working Meetings, Cal Poly
San Luis Obispo in June of 2007. Cal Poly Pomona and CCIT were in attendence at these
working meetings.
Jeff Gerfen of Cal Poly traveled to the CTAA conference and a made a joint presentation on May
25th, 2005 with Mr. Chapman of Caltrans and Mr. Brian Cronin of Federal Transit
Administration ( FTA). The title of the Cal Poly presentation was “ EDAPTS Concept: A Unique
Approach to Transit Research.” Jeff Gerfen also presented the EDAPTS system at the National
Rural ITS ( NRITS) conference in Big Sky, Montana in August, 2006. The title of the NRITS
presentation was “ EDAPTS ITS: Steps to Commercialization.”
The EDAPTS pagers in SLO Transit Smart Transit Signs were upgraded, allowing the system to
continue to be demonstrated to interested partners or integrators. This upgrade was required to
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keep the Smart Transit Signs compatible with the communications service provider. A PC
workstation was purchased to support future EDAPTS efforts, including potentially storage and
hosting of open- source release materials and the yet- to- be released EDAPTS Performance
Specification and Standards.
3. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
The EDAPTS support retainer provided the Cal Poly EDAPTS research team with the ability to
further the objectives of the EDAPTS system. This work included: maintaining and updating
trade- show presentation materials and demonstration equipment, meeting with potential
EDAPTS system integrators to pave the way for wide- spread commercial deployment,
presenting the EDAPTS system at transit and ITS- based conferences, and helping to keep the
San Luis Obispo EDAPTS system operational so that it can continue to be used to show the
system providing benefits to a local transit property and its patrons. This support retainer has
aided in the promotion of EDAPTS as a viable and cost effective transit management aide.
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Appendix 1
EDAPTS Emergency Support Presentation
EDAPTS Concept: A Unique Approach to Transit Research
Presented at:
Community Transportation Association of America ( CTAA) Annual Meeting
St. Louis, MO
May 2005
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EDAPTS Concept: A Unique
Approach to Transit Research
Jeff Gerfen
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
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The EDAPTS Research Perspective:
“ Big- City” Solutions for Small-
Town Transit
􀂋 Large APTS systems are not easily scaled down
for small operations
􀂋 Be flexible and extensible
􀂋 Meet needs, not wants
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EDAPTS Research Goals
Adaptable Design
􀂋 TCIP and National ITS Architecture consistency
􀂋 Open- Source and accessible to small transit
properties
􀂋 Support incremental deployment and changing
needs
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EDAPTS Research Processes
System Implementation
􀂋 Features driven by stakeholder needs
􀂋 Structure driven by the emerging TCIP and
National ITS Architecture
􀂋 Developed and tested under a strong
stakeholder partnership
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EDAPTS Research Outcomes
Deployed Operational Prototype
􀂋 Smart Transit Signs
􀂋 Mobile Data Terminals
􀂋 Dispatch Center
􀂋 Planning support tools
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EDAPTS Research Outcomes
System is Standards- Based
􀂋 Based on the National ITS Architecture
􀂋 Utilizes TCIP objects & messages
􀂋 TCIP influenced by EDAPTS
􀂋 Included in California Central Coast ITS
deployment plan
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EDAPTS Research Outcomes
System is Open- Source
􀂋 Hardware designs
􀂋 Software source- code and documentation
􀂋 Project final report
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EDAPTS Research Outcomes
A Great Student Experience!
􀂋 Unusual learning opportunity
􀂋 Real- world experience for more than 25 Cal
Poly San Luis Obispo students
􀂋 Multi- disciplinary design, implementation,
and test teams
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EDAPTS Research Outcomes
Strong Local Partnerships
􀂋 San Luis Obispo Public Works Department
( SLO Transit)
􀂋 Cal Poly Parking & Commuter Services
􀂋 First Transit Corporation
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EDAPTS Research Outcomes
Strong Local Partnerships
􀂋 Continuing cooperative relationships
􀂋 Prototype system supported by financial agreement
􀂋 System functionality has been expanded
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EDAPTS Research Outcomes
Local Partners Fund System
Extensions
􀂋 Automatic transit pass validation
􀂋 Automatic stop annunciation
􀂋 Real- time ID validation
􀂋 Electronic Fare Collection
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EDAPTS Lessons Learned
Constraints Lead to Better Design:
Solar Powered Signs
􀂋 Need for solar powered signs was unanticipated
􀂋 Solar powered design increases sign deployment
options
􀂋 Final sign design is simple to site, install, &
operate
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EDAPTS Lessons Learned
Wireless Data Communications Tradeoffs
􀂋 Long term implications
􀂋 Performance tradeoffs must be fully evaluated
􀂋 Initial & long- term data capacity of system must be
considered
􀂋 Incremental options may exist
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EDAPTS Lessons Learned
TCIP & National ITS Architecture Aid
System Definition
􀂋 A framework for system breakdown by
function/ feature
􀂋 Unobvious functions and users will be identified
􀂋 Early system analysis aids incremental
deployment
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EDAPTS Lessons Learned
Developing a Standards- Based System
􀂋 A non- trivial process
􀂋 Well worth the effort
􀂋 Early adoption was tough
􀂋 Finalization of standards & guidelines will
help others
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Ongoing EDAPTS Work
Performance Spec. Areas:
– Communications
– Computational performance
– Interfaces & standards
– Data accuracy
– Ruggedness
– Ergonomics
– Installation and maintenance
– Power consumption
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EDAPTS Lessons Learned
Flexibility and Adaptability
􀂋 New features facilitated by:
– Comprehensive functional breakdown
– Early consideration of various features
􀂋 Flexibility ensures meeting current and future
stakeholder needs
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EDAPTS Lessons Learned
Cooperation = Success
􀂋 Inter- agency cooperation is crucial to success
􀂋 This was easier said than done!
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Appendix 2
EDAPTS Emergency Support Presentation
EDAPTS ITS: Steps to Commercialization
Presented at:
National Rural Intelligent Transportation System ( NRITS) Conference
Big Sky Montana
August 2006
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EDAPTS ITS
Steps to Commercialization
Jeff Gerfen
California Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo
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EDAPTS ITS:
What it’s all about
􀂋 Designed as a cost- effective method for
implementing ITS
􀂋 First deployment provided prototype hardware &
software
􀂋 Flexible & extensible open source software &
designs
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EDAPTS ITS:
􀂋 Key Features of the first deployment:
– AVL
– Validation of boardings
– Estimated arrival time to passengers waiting at stops
– Planning tools
􀂋 San Luis Obispo ( SLO) Transit and Cal Poly Parking &
Commuter Services provide ongoing support
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The Next Step for EDAPTS:
Commercialization
􀂋 Integration options are necessary
􀂋 Full- service integration required for most
potential users
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Ongoing EDAPTS Work
The Second Deployment
1. Performing a cost- benefit analysis of the
first deployment in San Luis Obispo, CA
2. Develop performance- based specifications
for EDAPTS
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Ongoing EDAPTS Work
The Second Deployment
3. Performing a test deployment on shuttle
system at Cal Poly Pomona in Southern CA:
– Identify commercial suppliers for EDAPTS
– Look for complementary projects to entice suppliers
– Test the application of the new performance- based
specifications
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Defining the Second Deployment
􀂋 Understand the existing Pomona Bronco
Express shuttle operation in detail
􀂋 Determine how EDAPTS can best provide
operational improvements
􀂋 Create a performance- based procurement
package
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Expected Outcomes of the
Second Deployment
􀂋 Improved customer service:
– Riders will know arrival time more precisely
– Riders will have more frequent opportunities to catch
the bus
– Rider confidence will be significantly improved
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Expected Outcomes of the
Second Deployment
􀂋 Improved operational efficiencies:
– Driver breaks better managed and hence more time in
service with vehicle
– Simpler driver operations and record keeping
– Dramatically reduced reporting effort for contractor
– Comprehensive boarding & route schedule adherence
information available for fleet operations planning
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Expected Outcomes of the
Second Deployment
􀂋 Identification and availability of commercial
suppliers
􀂋 Identification and articulation of funding
sources for small transit properties
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Appendix 3
EDAPTS Emergency Support Marketing Material
EDAPTS ITS: Descriptive Brochure
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