Transit Management and Coordination

The NOVA region depends heavily on the services provided by transit agencies. NOVA Local Transit Agencies provide basic transit service and paratransit service in Northern Virginia. WMATA provides transit bus and rail service while VRE provides commuter rail service in the Washington D.C metropolitan area. Communication between transit departments and with other operating entities such as emergency response services and traffic management systems are critical to the region. VDOT NOVA coordinates traffic, incident, and transit information through direct communications with the transit agencies. Several transit agencies furnish travelers with real-time travel information, continuously updated schedules, schedule adherence information, transfer options, and transit routes and fares. Several pilot projects exist in the region to convey real-time information to the traveler using a variety of means including 511, kiosks, message signs, internet etc. Transit Coordination during emergencies is also a major sub-activity to allow coordinated use of transit vehicles to facilitate response to major emergencies or evacuations. Such coordination could include use of toll facilities, HOV Lanes, contraflow lanes, and use of shoulders, etc. Traffic Signal Priority for transit buses is being considered by local jurisdictions as well as VDOT NOVA to improve schedule adherence of transit agencies and the overall roadway network usage efficiency.

Service Packages

• PT03: Dynamic Transit Operations
• PT02: Transit Fixed-Route Operations
• PT04: Transit Fare Collection Management
• PT05: Transit Security
• PT14: Multi-modal Coordination
• PT08: Transit Traveler Information

Stakeholders

• Local Transit Agencies

Roles and Responsibilities

• Coordinate schedule and service with WMATA and other transit agencies in the region
• Operate fixed route and demand responsive bus service in local jurisdictions in the NOVA region
• Provide real-time transit traveler information (on-time performance, schedule adherence etc) through various sources including websites, telephones and other personal information access services
• Provide static transit traveler information (schedules, ride guides etc) through various sources including websites, telephones and other personal information access services
• Provide the capability for transit buses to request transit signal priority through center to center communications
• Provide the capability for transit buses to request transit signal priority through short range communications directly with traffic control equipment
• Provide transit vehicle tracking functions using AVL technology and two way communications with fleet



• Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)

Roles and Responsibilities

• Coordinate schedules and services with other transit providers for regional transit management
• Develop a regional transit database for regional transit coordination.
• Monitor train movement on mainlines and in yards. Collect and monitor information about railcar, train revenue and non-revenue mileage, and schedule adherence
• Operate regional SmartTrip fare clearinghouse
• Provide automatic train control
• Provide dispatch function and tracking for bus operators
• Provide in-station and in-bus fare boxes, garage and central fare processing equipment for fare collection and passenger counts
• Provide SmartTrip-SMRT service that provides overall management and coordination for fare collection programs and ridership statistics
• Provide subscription based - real time system status, alerts and advisories to personal information access devices like emails, pagers, cellphones etc
• Provide the capability for transit buses to request transit signal priority through short range communications directly with traffic control equipment
• Provide train arrival, schedule delay, incident information, and ADA required access information on in-station displays
• Provide train movement and wayside device monitoring and control, including third rail power
• Provides internet website with bus and rail system maps, rail station information, parking information, bus and rail schedules (also downloadable to PDAs) and fareas, trip planning, general alerts and advisories, accessibility and elevator/escalator statu