Introducing the TechTimer Roadside Passenger Advisory System. A pilot program of the TechTimer roadside passenger advisory system
designed to convey real time information to Intercampus Shuttle passengers
will be tested from March 28, 2005 through April 29, 2005. TechTimer
displays have been installed on six selected stops along the UIC campus
bus route. The system displays the elapsed time since the last bus passed
that stop. Given a reasonably reliable interval between buses and a little
arithmetic, the approximate time of arrival of the next bus can be reliably
predicted. A special version of the TechTimer is used on the UIC campus.
This version audibly announces the display reading time every time the
display changes or every minute. A special version of the TechTimer is used on the UIC campus. This version audibly announces the display reading time
every time the display changes or every minute. How the TechTimer Works. The campus buses are equipped with a low power-signaling device, which tells
the roadside unit that the bus has arrived. After a short delay to allow the
driver to observe the display, the display will reset to zero and begin counting
again as soon as the bus leaves the stop. TechTimer employs a sophisticated power
management system including a solar array to minimize maintenance and enable
the system to shut down when the campus buses are not running. When the system
is “sleeping” the display will read a set of double dashes” _ _ “ and all audible
announcements cease. A steady decimal point indicates a potential power management
issue and the audible announcements will cease. For night operations, a photocell
controlled flashing backlight is employed to aid display visibility.
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