Mass Transit - 40

BEST PRACTICES

choosing the right solution
can deliver great returns.
To get the most out of
their network and onboard
systems, transportation operators and agencies need to
consider the network connectivity, equipment, management tools, security and
the benefits for operational
efficiency and the passenger
experience.
The first consideration
is the connectivity to, from
and on-board the vehicle.
Network speed, reliability
and security are key factors
that must be considered.
The solution must be able to
handle the data throughput
of wireless connections, deliver the bandwidth for the
data needs of the vehicle and
provide maximum uptime for
real-time data communica-

tions for vehicle systems and
passengers.
The onboard equipment-
such as routers, antennas and
access points-needs to be
able to withstand the mobile
environment with a minimal
footprint to fit in the limited
space on board. It needs to
be future-proof and reliable
in order to provide years of
service, making the most
of the agency's investment.
Multi-function equipment
with integrated GPS, storage, memory and data processing capabilities that can
host multiple third-party
applications, such as video
surveillance, vehicle condition monitoring, passenger
counting and passenger information and entertainment
systems, reduces the amount
of equipment installed on

While being a sizable investment for any
agency, choosing the right solution can
deliver great returns.
the vehicle lowering initial
infrastructure investments
and ongoing operational and
maintenance costs.
The ability to manage and
monitor the network with integrated management tools in
real-time with 24/7 support
allows for maximum network performance and uptime of real-time applications.
Monitoring communication
network coverage, signal
strength and vehicle location
in real-time, identifying and
repairing inoperable components and controlling data
limits and usage maximizes
performance and helps control costs. Real-time reporting and analytics tools give
managers better insights
into their systems to make
operational decisions faster,
based on actual conditions.
The solution's data protection and information
security capabilities and
adherence to industry
standards, such as ISO
27001 and GDPR, should
be considered as well in
order to protect agencies
and riders. Integration with
public safety networks and
the addition of applications
such as real-time video surveillance can also increase
passenger safety and re-

duce liability and risk to the
agency. The management
tools should also proactively
monitor network traffic for
suspicious activity and help
agencies identify and respond
to cyber threats.
A high-bandwidth connection for riders not only
allows passengers to be connected and productive on
their journeys, it also provides
an opportunity for agencies to
connect with their passenger
community with customized
portals for Wi-Fi access, real-time passenger and ticketing information, onboard
entertainment, retail and advertising applications, including location-based advertising
based on route information
and vehicle location. It also
allows agencies to increase
brand awareness and collect
valuable ridership information that can be used for marketing and outreach purposes
and data mining.
Investing in the right onboard connectivity solution
can provide excellent returns.
Agencies can optimize vehicle
and fleet operations to reduce
costs, improve the passenger
experience to increase ridership and revenues and offer
additional monetization opportunities for agencies.

Coming in the July/August Issue:
Best Practices for Mobile Payment
Has your agency innovated with mobile payment options?
Contact our editor to share your story:
mwanek@masstransitmag.com.

For more information, visit www.MassTransitmag.com/10719358

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Mass Transit | MassTransitmag.com | JUNE 2019
http://sterifab.com http://www.MassTransitmag.com/10719358 http://www.MassTransitmag.com
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