Feb 6, 2018
RTA and Battelle Testing Safety Technologies to Improve Transit and Pedestrian Safety in Cleveland
CLEVELAND -- Technology can make city buses safer, and a project in Cleveland aims to prove it.
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA), working with Battelle, will launch a six-month project to evaluate enhanced safety systems on buses. With a grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), GCRTA will test cutting-edge safety technology in 24 buses retrofitted with so-called “connected” features to better avoid collisions. The agency installed the Enhanced Transit Safety Retrofit Package system over the past several months and will debut it on RTA buses at three locations in Downtown Cleveland:
• East 12th Street & Superior Avenue
• Rockwell Avenue & East Roadway
• Euclid Avenue & East 19th Street
During the evaluation phase, connected buses will collect data to evaluate system performance, safety impacts, and lessons learned. By reducing bus collisions with pedestrians and other vehicles, the technology can prevent accidents and fatalities, reduce transit operator costs, and decrease travel interruptions.
The system improves safety by notifying the bus driver when a pedestrian is in or about to enter a crosswalk in the path of the bus. The system also notifies the bus driver when another connected vehicle is turning in front of the bus as it pulls away from a stop.
The technology project uses dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) radio for vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, Global Positioning System (GPS) for vehicle tracking, and forward looking infrared (FLIR) cameras for pedestrian detection.
About Battelle
Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Columbus, OH, since its founding in 1929, Battelle serves the national security, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental industries. More information.
About GCRTA
RTA is the largest public transit system in Ohio, serving more than 150,000 persons a day. Safety is at the core of RTA’s Mission Statement. Cited several times by national groups for its safety programs, RTA was the first to develop a talking bus – a move later copied by other transit systems. In 2016, RTA implemented a Right-of-Way Worker Protection Plan for its rail system.
Media contacts
Battelle
Katy Delaney, 614-424-7208 or at delaneyk@battelle.org
T.R. Massey, 614-424-5544 or at masseytr@battelle.org
RTA
Linda Krecic, 216-356-3104