Each MTD
bus is equipped with two tools that allow the district to keep track of the number
of passengers that utilize the service. The first of these is the CoPilot, an
onboard computer that maintains records of passenger boardings, alightings,
passenger load (at any given time), driver’s schedule adherence, fare types
utilized by passengers, and many other functions. Every MTD bus also features
an infrared “curtain” that is found on each door. This sensor is able to detect
the movement of passengers entering and exiting the bus.
When a bus
operator’s shift begins, he or she logs onto the CoPilot and into a specific
“block” which is a portion of the route that they will be performing. Once the
operator is logged into their block, the infrared sensor will collect data on
the days’ passenger traffic. At night, when the bus returns to the garage, data
collected by the CoPilot is downloaded to the MTD’s statistics program
(MOBILEstatistics).
When data is collected from the
fleet, it is examined by our Transportation Analyst. These figures are then used to complete ridership
reports that are used for a variety of purposes including MTD reporting to the
Federal government.