Smart Choices For Smart Transit: Leveraging On-Board Monitoring And Communication Systems For Safer Public Transit Operations

Brad Thomas

By Brad Thomas, President and COO of U.S. Transit Operations, Keolis

With safety as the top priority in public transit, on-board vehicle monitoring and communication systems are an essential element of bus network operations nationwide. Selecting the right systems can improve both service quality and passenger safety as well as streamline compliance for partners. Across the U.S., transit networks are working to grow ridership towards pre-pandemic levels. This makes on-board vehicle monitoring more important than ever as work continues with agencies to maintain and further grow that ridership. When considering these systems, transit agencies should evaluate them across five key areas: safety, compliance, data utility, usability, and strategic alignment. It’s important to help transit agencies make informed decisions that align with their long-term objectives.

Safety is the foundation of any effective monitoring and communication system. Several available technologies in the market today offer advanced tools that can detect a range of risky driving behaviors. These systems use machine vision and artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor specific at-risk activities, such as speeding, distracted driving, or following too closely. They alert drivers in real time, and managers can access data to understand and address behavioral patterns that may lead to accidents.

A key safety consideration is whether a system provides immediate, corrective feedback to operators. This capability can be valuable for promoting safer driving behaviors and preventing incidents before they occur. Additionally, these systems generate incident data that supports effective post-incident analysis, allowing transit agencies to take corrective action when necessary. For example, capturing hard-braking or rapid-acceleration events can inform a more targeted approach to driver training, reinforcing safe driving habits that ultimately improve safety for operators and passengers alike. These continual and iterative process improvements can further improve service quality.

Agencies may also find that monitoring systems that integrate with software platforms for compliance management are particularly valuable. For instance, some tools provide automated notifications and reminders to ensure drivers are up to date on certifications, such as training and drug-and-alcohol testing requirements. By incorporating systems that handle compliance documentation efficiently, operators can dedicate more time and attention to providing quality service and less on navigating administrative tasks.

These tools amass large amounts of raw data, and data collection is a core feature of most modern monitoring systems. However, the true value in data is in how it is analyzed for use in operational improvements. Some systems capture and upload incident data, which can then be reviewed to identify root causes or aggregated to identify any emerging trends. This data complements learning, training and development and can even help agencies make informed decisions on network redesign or infrastructure improvement such as specific locations for safety interventions.

We, at Keolis, have operations that are in the process of establishing visualization rooms (or “viz rooms” for short). Viz rooms are available to all employees and clients so that they may review various data points and key performance indicators (KPIs) across departments. These KPIs are updated daily, weekly, or monthly, (e.g. service delivery/operations, mechanical, finance, customer service, etc.). The viz room is an ideal setting to get a snapshot of a network’s performance or to conduct regular meetings. On-board communication tools and their reporting mechanism or dashboards streamline the reporting process in keeping a viz room current.

Effective on-board monitoring systems should be intuitive for both operators and managers. Systems with simple, web-based dashboards make data accessible and actionable without requiring specialized technical skills. Ideally, dashboards should provide a quick, clear view of performance metrics, incident logs, and compliance status. If the interface is overly complex, or if data extraction is challenging, the system’s utility diminishes as staff spend more time managing it than using it to inform decisions.

Transit agencies should also consider community needs when choosing monitoring systems. For example, bicycling is the fastest growing mode of transportation for commuters. As active mobility grows in popularity and municipalities provide better bike and pedestrian infrastructure it will become increasingly important for agencies to observe the immediate environments outside of their vehicles. As transit technology and regulatory standards evolve, choosing adaptable systems ensures that agencies can continue delivering high-quality, safe transit services without the need for a costly overhaul.

On-board monitoring and communication systems are invaluable assets for transit agencies seeking to enhance safety, improve efficiency, and provide better service to their communities. Systems should avoid being overly dependent on these tools, however. Onboard monitoring is just one of many tools to operate safe and efficient transit networks. Complementing with other tools — like safety and compliance auditing as well as training, coaching, and claims management to name a few — is essential to building a culture of excellence.

Keolis provides safe and reliable public transportation services to millions of people every year. With the passenger experience at the forefront, Keolis reliably and safely provides solutions to more than 121 million people each year on local bus, commuter bus, intercity bus, parking, paratransit, tram, and commuter rail services in North America. A company that strives to put employees first, Keolis employs more than 7,500 people throughout the United States and Canada. Learn more at www.keolisna.com.