Affiliated Computer Services Inc. (ACS) announced a $4 million contract to provide an intelligent transportation system (ITS) for Stamford, Conn., as a key component to the Stamford Urban Transitway project.

The upgraded Transitway will provide additional capacity to improve bus access to the Metro-North railroad station and is expected to significantly decrease traffic on roads and highways. The ACS solution is an integral part of the Transitway operation, delivering information to the ridership at all stages of the commute to help encourage the use of public transit.

The ITS project, through ACS advanced IT technology, also will offer the public improved mobility. By choosing ACS to deliver a technology-enabled system that will integrate a proven computer-aided dispatch/automated vehicle location (CAD/AVL) system called ‘Traffic Signal Priority’ (TSP), Station Advanced Traveler Information and Parking Garage Space Availability signage; the city of Stamford will be well positioned to reach its primary goal of encouraging use of mass-transit and reducing vehicular trips.

“The Stamford Urban Transitway will play a critical role in the city's efforts to reduce traffic congestion and improve access to public transportation,” said Ann Brown, program manager for the City of Stamford. “The Transitway will provide commuters with better access to the Stamford Transportation Center, which serves as a gateway for rail, bus and other types of transportation.” Using ACS’ CAD/AVL system will provide real-time data on the location of all of the buses to the central dispatcher. Some of the key features of the ACS system include:

• Passenger information displays to disseminate real-time data on bus arrivals at the station and at bus shelters and signage along the Transitway routes;
• Updated information to the centralized dispatcher to facilitate routing and dispatching of vehicles;
• Data commands to Traffic Signal Priority (TSP) hardware at the intersections to coordinate traffic signal operation with the goal of keeping Connecticut Transit buses running on time;
• Maintenance and security advantages for the bus operator;
• A private mobile radio communication system between buses and the central operations center and a fiber back bone provided by ACS that links passenger information displays and existing traffic signals throughout the operational area.

“Not only will riders experience improvements with the implementation of an intelligent transportation system but Stamford motorists also will benefit from improved driving conditions,” said David Kachemov, senior vice president and managing director of ACS’ Transportation Management Solutions group. “The city of Stamford ITS project will improve the efficiency of multimodal transportation operations by deploying field-proven systems enabling vehicles to be more efficiently monitored and managed.”