Bus arrival schedule board?

[devoy1701]

Why do we need to track the shuttle busses? I'm ok with knowing every 20 minutes (or so) the bus will be there.

HA!

Every twenty minutes...

 

[DfromATX]

HA!

Every twenty minutes...

Even if they are late, there's nothing we can do about it. On our last trip (staying at POR), we had wonderful bus service! We never had to wait and even if a bus filled up ahead of us, another one was shortly behind it. Seriously!

 

[Sassagoula-Rvr]

That is where I disagree. Unless it is done automatically, in real time, it is no better then having a CM tell you that they get there every 20 minutes (but they don't).

Here is an example of how it works on the North Carolina State Campus in Raleigh. http://ncsu.transloc.com/

The one thing with this system is that it works best if the bus stays on the same circular route all the time. It does get more complicated if each run is shifted from place to place, but not impossible.

That's what I meant, I know of places that track them and show the passengers when the next bus is due...on a continuous route that is fairly easy...when it's not a route...things are different.

 

[Sassagoula-Rvr]

Even if they are late, there's nothing we can do about it. On our last trip (staying at POR), we had wonderful bus service! We never had to wait and even if a bus filled up ahead of us, another one was shortly behind it. Seriously!

Shameless plug for POFQ...out of all the places I've stayed...still have not found better bus service!

 

[DfromATX]

Shameless plug for POFQ...out of all the places I've stayed...still have not found better bus service!

Well it's true!

 

[TubaGeek]

That is where I disagree. Unless it is done automatically, in real time, it is no better then having a CM tell you that they get there every 20 minutes (but they don't).

Here is an example of how it works on the North Carolina State Campus in Raleigh. http://ncsu.transloc.com/

The one thing with this system is that it works best if the bus stays on the same circular route all the time. It does get more complicated if each run is shifted from place to place, but not impossible.

I guess I just assumed that if Disney did it, they'd just go and utilize GPS or whatever the most common system is. Probably not unlike NCSU.

 

[Victor Kelly]

Too many buses, routes and a very spread out area. It will be an estimate at best, but really a placater to the masses. Even the monorails and ferry boats have issues staying to a schedule. The real issue at heart is overloaded bus system, with drivers detouring to drop of the people that get on the wrong bus, many times intentionally.

Bottom line is that a better system is needed.

 

[Goofyernmost]

That's what I meant, I know of places that track them and show the passengers when the next bus is due...on a continuous route that is fairly easy...when it's not a route...things are different.

The more I think about it...the way it is done now is almost impossible to set up in any manner of dependability. When a bus leaves PoP, for example, it's sign will say MK maybe, but it will not at that point be able to reliably let you know when your bus is to pick you up to take you to AKW (???). All the electronics are set up to be for the current destination, not the future destination. The best they could do is have the driver indicate the next stop after the last pick up for MK is made. Human error can and will reign supreme (Murphys Law).

They do have computer generated things called a drivers paddle that spells out the specific instructions, destination wise, for a drivers entire shift. It may have decided that after picking up at PoP, it will then proceed to MK where it will discharge the passengers going to MK, and pick up a group heading toward DHS or Port Orleans, whatever plan the computer has chosen. If you notice, when the bus lets you off at your destination, it very seldom will be in the slot labeled for the place you just left. This "route" is used day after day until they decide to change and update the "paddle". It is done that way for many reasons, but mostly to avoid chronic problems on one route because of accidents or break downs and for a lesser reason, albeit a good one, to help relieve driver fatigue and lack of concentration created when one does circular routes over and over and over during the course of a day, week, month.

They might be able to program the computer to follow the path of the "paddle" and forecast it for the next location, but that will completely alter whenever they have to pull a bus from one route to fix a problem in another. It's not as simple as everyone seems to think it would be. And making all the routes circular, will cause more problems then a average inexperienced bus traveler can even imagine. If you think you have a nightmare now, talk them into doing it that way.

This will qualify as bus operations 101 lesson of the day. Or also known as, "and you thought all they did was just pick you up and take you where you want to go". None of that happens without very organized and stringent bus path planning.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I guess I just assumed that if Disney did it, they'd just go and utilize GPS or whatever the most common system is. Probably not unlike NCSU.

They could, but the big difference is that NCSU uses the circular method. One or more buses on the same route, over and over and over. That way the GPS always knows where the bus or buses are. Nothing changes. I, personally, think that WDW's bus system is to big to just use the circulating system. Also, again on a personal level, I wouldn't want them too. The safety factor is too large to ignore.

 

[tare]

Yes we noticed that in December. I really liked it and hope they start it up at all resorts. Also putting on the app would be great too.

 

[Sassagoula-Rvr]

The more I think about it...the way it is done now is almost impossible to set up in any manner of dependability. When a bus leaves PoP, for example, it's sign will say MK maybe, but it will not at that point be able to reliably let you know when your bus is to pick you up to take you to AKW (???). All the electronics are set up to be for the current destination, not the future destination. The best they could do is have the driver indicate the next stop after the last pick up for MK is made. Human error can and will reign supreme (Murphys Law).

They do have computer generated things called a drivers paddle that spells out the specific instructions, destination wise, for a drivers entire shift. It may have decided that after picking up at PoP, it will then proceed to MK where it will discharge the passengers going to MK, and pick up a group heading toward DHS or Port Orleans, whatever plan the computer has chosen. If you notice, when the bus lets you off at your destination, it very seldom will be in the slot label for the place you just left. This "route" is used day after day until they decide to change and update the "paddle". It is done that way for many reasons, but mostly to avoid chronic problems on one route because of accidents or break downs and for a lesser reason, albeit a good one, to help relieve driver fatigue and lack of concentration created when one does circular routes over and over and over during the course of a day, week, month.

They might be able to program the computer to follow the path of the "paddle" and forecast it for the next location, but that will completely alter whenever they have to pull a bus from one route to fix a problem in another. It's not as simple as everyone seems to think it would be. And making all the routes circular, will cause more problems then a average inexperienced bus traveler can even imagine. If you think you have a nightmare now, talk them into doing it that way.

This will qualify as bus operations 101 lesson of the day. Or also known as, "and you thought all they did was just pick you up and take you where you want to go". None of that happens without very organized and stringent bus path planning.

Bravo, people don't realize how things work most of the time!!

 

[Thrill]

I am certain the technology exists to link bus GPS and schedule boards...but the problem is cash. Does Disney really want to invest in this technology to upgrade guest experience, or is the money better spent on drink refill mugs? That is the sort of decision being made....

I know I have been to subways in DC and transportation in other places that inform people of the next train/bus to select destinations. It is always as estimate as backups can happen, but for me this is something that would let me know how long I will be waiting to get to my park...or if I should make other plans parkwise or travel wise.

The bus tracking system can't be that expensive. A GPS system with an estimated arrival time is something that I have in my pocket. If I can do it, Disney can do it a few hundred times bigger. Again, this is the company who spent three zillion dollars on RFID.

Why do we need to track the shuttle busses? I'm ok with knowing every 20 minutes (or so) the bus will be there.

Because they don't come every 20 minutes.

Maybe it was a fluke, but there were about 3 Downtown buses in 5 minutes at the Boardwalk a couple weeks ago. No Magic Kingdom bus for at least a half hour, if not way more than that.

It would appear that, not only do we have no clue when the next bus is coming, but niether does Disney.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Plus it would be nice to know if a bus has just left and I might be waiting for awhile. Knowing these things is helpful to me. Just like it is nice to have wait times at the entrance to a line, it helps with anticipation and planning for the next thing. I went to a local amusement park recently and it iritated me that they didn't list wait times for rides.

 

[Mukta]

Yes we noticed that in December. I really liked it and hope they start it up at all resorts. Also putting on the app would be great too.

So you saw the one at the GF and it worked well? It seems to me that if WDW has it for one resort and it works fine, then they can install in in others.

 

[tare]

So you saw the one at the GF and it worked well? It seems to me that if WDW has it for one resort and it works fine, then they can install in in others.

It seemed to be off schedule by only a couple of minutes.

 

[Mukta]

It seemed to be off schedule by only a couple of minutes.

Not bad! That is very cool.

 

[jaklgreen]

The more I think about it...the way it is done now is almost impossible to set up in any manner of dependability. When a bus leaves PoP, for example, it's sign will say MK maybe, but it will not at that point be able to reliably let you know when your bus is to pick you up to take you to AKW (???). All the electronics are set up to be for the current destination, not the future destination. The best they could do is have the driver indicate the next stop after the last pick up for MK is made. Human error can and will reign supreme (Murphys Law).

They do have computer generated things called a drivers paddle that spells out the specific instructions, destination wise, for a drivers entire shift. It may have decided that after picking up at PoP, it will then proceed to MK where it will discharge the passengers going to MK, and pick up a group heading toward DHS or Port Orleans, whatever plan the computer has chosen. If you notice, when the bus lets you off at your destination, it very seldom will be in the slot labeled for the place you just left. This "route" is used day after day until they decide to change and update the "paddle". It is done that way for many reasons, but mostly to avoid chronic problems on one route because of accidents or break downs and for a lesser reason, albeit a good one, to help relieve driver fatigue and lack of concentration created when one does circular routes over and over and over during the course of a day, week, month.

They might be able to program the computer to follow the path of the "paddle" and forecast it for the next location, but that will completely alter whenever they have to pull a bus from one route to fix a problem in another. It's not as simple as everyone seems to think it would be. And making all the routes circular, will cause more problems then a average inexperienced bus traveler can even imagine. If you think you have a nightmare now, talk them into doing it that way.

This will qualify as bus operations 101 lesson of the day. Or also known as, "and you thought all they did was just pick you up and take you where you want to go". None of that happens without very organized and stringent bus path planning.

You are making it a lot more complicated then it should be. It is all about the program, does not matter how many busses, how many stops, how many routes, or even if it changes routed mid tracking. If the program is written correctly then it would be able to track and estimate bus arrivals. Of course it will always be an estimate, just like they say the bus will come about every 20 min. Many many companies use this technology already, airlines, city busses, trucking companies, military. It really is not as hard as some might think.

 

[Goofyernmost]

You are making it a lot more complicated then it should be. It is all about the program, does not matter how many busses, how many stops, how many routes, or even if it changes routed mid tracking. If the program is written correctly then it would be able to track and estimate bus arrivals. Of course it will always be an estimate, just like they say the bus will come about every 20 min. Many many companies use this technology already, airlines, city busses, trucking companies, military. It really is not as hard as some might think.

OK, I'm sure you know. Hope they get right on that!

 

[Greenkai3000]

Just give us Disney hovercrafts already! LOL

 

[fosse76]

In my limited understanding of how Disney dispatches Buses...it's hard to implement this technology because a buses destination may not be set until it is already on the way...meaning their buses are not on regularly scheduled routes and are sent where there is need.

That's why you will sometimes see buses pull up to one stop but then pull around and move to another. Or when bus signs will change en route.

Again I could be wrong, but talking with some people who work in transportation that was how they described the setup Disney is most likely using from what they've noticed on trips.

You beat me to it! The routes seem to be determined "on the fly" based on crowd/ridership patterns at any particular moment, so it would require some level of manpower to keep accurate, either by a dispatcher or the bus driver himself.