Shuttle bus additions, GPS tracking in planning stages

For the past three years GCSU has made an effort to improve the standards of its transportation system by ordering new shuttle buses and updating the ones already in use.
With a freshman class of roughly 1,200 and a growing campus, Auxiliary Services has put in a purchase order for new shuttle buses and is on the search for more advancement.
With a few vendors in mind, GCSU, in the addition to three new buses, will also introduce a GPS system to accommodate the shuttle stops, a project that by its conclusion will be about $85,000. The University of South Florida, Georgia State and Georgia Tech are a few of the schools that have already introduced the new systems.
“We must rely on outlying areas for parking and for shuttling students to the main academic area,” said Associate Director of Auxiliary Services Greg Brown.
Auxiliary Services expects ridership numbers to increase drastically due to the improved transportation services. Brown has also been diligent in the process of adding the new buses and systems.
“With these upgrades, plus the hiring of extra drivers and more assets, we should be able to provide very timely support,” Brown said.
Each bus shelter will be redone to ensure the protection of the new technology. The systems will have a live map in real time, updating every few minutes to let students know where the bus is and when it will arrive.
“At times there is a perception that the buses don’t run on schedule,” said Executive Director of Auxiliary Services Kyle Cullars. “But, if you really stop and check it, I can give you any day that they are on time. The GPS will guarantee this.”
Over time, the systems will become more accurate by building up memory over the frequent time updates. The information systems being pursued will also have the feature of telling students the arrival times via their laptops and cellular devices. On site cameras will be installed at different stops, including solar powered traffic signs and LCD monitors. The Village Market, Centennial Center, MSU, and the Arts and Sciences bus stop will all see these new additions. West Campus and its upcoming Wellness & Recreation Center will also see a brand new bus stop along with the new devices.
For senior mass communication major Kyle Lowe, the current bus system has been a headache due to unpredictability, but he is hopeful for the future additions.
“Sometimes I’ll get to a stop and have no clue if I just missed a bus or if one is about to arrive,” Lowe said. “The GPS systems are going to tell me if I will make it to places on time.”
Listening to student feedback and constantly trying to improve campus, the new additions should bring peace to any transportation issues that may exist. GCSU can look forward to the new bus stops and GPS systems by next Fall.

Posted by Taylor Lamb on Oct 22 2010. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.