The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) is working with Passio Technologies to implement the school’s first-ever passenger counting solution.
Starting in March, UWM began to implement four right-sized solutions that give system administrators unparalleled insight into operations, increase system security and open up new channels of communication with riders.
Atlanta-based Passio works with more than 50 public and private systems nationwide, and the company’s innovative solutions have been used to count more than 30 million passengers. UWM’s eight-bus system ferries more than 3,500 passengers every day to and from both residence halls and park and ride lots.
“Transit systems today need unprecedented visibility into their operations and trustworthy data they can use to make real-time changes as needed to best serve their riders,” said Mitch Skyer, president of Passio. “We are excited to work with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on this implementation.”
As a part of the partnership, UWM, a school of about 28,000 students, is deploying Passio’s SmartTraxx, Gateway Passenger Validation, SmartSense Integrated GPS LED Interior Signs and IncroMaxx Automated Voice Announcement solutions.
“We are always looking for more insights into how students use our system so we can tailor our services to their needs,” said Prasanna Nanda, the director of parking and transportation at UWM. “Our partnership with Passio will provide us with the important data we need to deliver efficient operations and ensure we provide the level of service our students expect and deserve.”
That transit intelligence begins with SmartTraxx, which provides real-time details about every bus in the fleet, allowing systems to ensure smooth operations. With a mobile app, passengers can view all routes and see details about a bus, including when it will arrive.
With Gateway Passenger Validation, agencies can both count how many people are riding and limit usage to authorized riders, thereby increasing security for both drivers and passengers. Concurrently, the offering provides system administrators with unprecedented data about their riders and the metrics needed to justify operational changes.
SmartSense Integrated GPS LED Interior Signs display location-specific information directly from Passio’s mobile data terminal (MDT). With the offering, transit agencies can display a bus’ next stop or major nearby intersections, make public announcements and serve up location-based advertising as a means of generating revenue.
IncroMaxx Automated Voice Announcements is a GPS driven system for fixed-route systems. In addition to making announcements about upcoming stops, drivers can initiate pre-recorded messages with the touch of a button.
