Automated Vehicle Location (AVL)

General Description:

Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) Systems provide a dispatch center the capability to monitor the location of all vehicles continuously in real time. AVL is usually integrated with digital communications and Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping systems to streamline instructions from the dispatcher who is able to view vehicle itineraries and locations graphically. Each driver has a Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) in the vehicle that allows extensive planning information to be collected at a lower cost than by manual methods (i.e. schedule adherence, location-based passenger counts, and location-based fare collection information).

Effects of Solution:

¨ Increase Passenger Throughput

¨ Increase Roadway Capacity

þ Manage System Efficiency (Improves safety and monitoring processes)

¨ Reduce Local Demand

AVL is primarily used for tracking vehicles, such as buses, so that a transit system can be managed more efficiently.  However, it may also be used for safety purposes (i.e. snow plows, service vehicles, etc.).

Examples of Implementation:

See Additional Resources section for more information.

Cost/Financial Information:

Source: Source: United States Department of Transportation Intelligent Transportation Systems ITS Benefits, Costs and Lessons Learned Databases.  Available at http://www.benefitcost.its.dot.gov (Cost/financial information is estimated, and will vary based on size and scope of project, number of units, etc.)

	Capital Cost	Operating Cost
GPS/DGPS for Vehicle Location	$.5-2.0	$.01-.038K
Cell Based Communication Equipment	$.15-.25K	$.008-.013K

Additional Resources:

King County (Seattle, WA) AVL system web page:

http://transit.metrokc.gov/oltools/autovehlocsys.html

City of San Diego, CA V-TRAC web page:

http://www.sannet.gov/environmental-services/collection/vtrac.shtml

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