Technology for Transit: Lane Guidance for Shoulder-running Buses
Principal Investigator:
Craig Shankwitz, Director, Intelligent Vehicles Lab, Mechanical Engineering
Project Summary:
In 2002, the Intelligent Vehicles Lab introduced lane-guidance assistance to Metro Transit buses. The system helps drivers of shoulder-running buses to keep their lanes during periods of high congestion. This project aims to equip 10 Minnesota Valley Transit Authority buses with similar lane-guidance technology. The researchers will install the new systems onto buses that cover Cedar Avenue, Crosstown, and I-35, both into and out of downtown. In addition to helping drivers keep their lanes, the system will also provide collision-avoidance feedback and assist in precision docking. This project represents the first time that a comprehensive technology-based lane-assistance system will be put into operation. Because lane assistance represents a significant change for bus drivers, and because of the short deployment timeline of this project, researchers will also procure a driver-training simulator. This simulator will allow drivers to become familiar with the new system before venturing out onto the open road and will help drivers be ready to use the new system when it is deployed on September 30th, 2009.
Sponsor:
- Federal Transit Administration
- Metropolitan Council
Project Details:
- Start date: 11/2007
- Project Status: Completed
- Research Area: Transportation Safety and Traffic Flow