Center for Urban Transportation Research

1
Center for Urban Transportation Research
Travel Assistance Device (TAD) to Aid Transit
Riders with Special Needs
Dmitry Belov, Alfredo Perez, Milena Sarmiento,
Sean Barbeau, Phil Winters, Nevine Georggi,
Miguel Labrador, Rafael Perez
Center for Urban Transportation Research and the
Department of Computer Science Engineering at
the University of South Florida
Problem
Fig 1. Alert the rider of upcoming stops
System Architecture
For cognitively disabled individuals, getting to
work, home, and school using public
transportation can be very challenging.
Caretakers often have reservations about allowing
the rider to travel independently. Additionally,
transit agencies find it very expensive to
operate on-demand van service (approx. 25.30 per
trip) for these individuals if they cannot ride
the regular fixed route system (approx. 2.89 per
trip).
Solution
Create a software communication architecture
which utilizes Global Positioning System
(GPS)-enabled mobile phones to notify the rider
in real-time when they should get off the bus
(Figure 1).
Modular server and cell phone software using web
services provides efficient scalability and an
easy way to add new features.
.
Personalized Alerts
GPS-Enabled Mobile Phone
Benefits
Fig 2. Monitor rider position in real time on the
web

1. Enhance quality of life of cognitively disabled
   individuals and their families
2. Enhance traveler safety
3. Increase transit ridership
4. Reduce cost of trips by moving more people from
   demand response vans to fixed route bus service

Safety Features

1. Riders position can be monitored in real time by
   the guardian or travel instructor (Figure 2).
2. Guardian is alerted through email if the rider
   gets off the designated route.
3. Riders confirmation is required each time he or
   she gets off the bus.
4. All location data is stored in a database so the
   riders trip can be reconstructed.

1. Travel trainer creates a trip for the rider and
   manually selects the starting, ending and ring
   notification locations for the routes.
2. Audio, visual, and vibration alerts are triggered
   by GPS data from the phone immediately prior to
   destination.
3. Soon-to-be installed Automatic Vehicle Locator
   system on buses will be linked with cell phone to
   provide enhanced reliability.

Funding provided by the United States Department
of Transportation through the National Center for
Transit Research and the Florida Department of
Transportation