My college has the best ideas.

[jumpr]

Magic Bus lets Michigan students track campus buses as they make their way around campus. No more waiting outside in the cold for a bus that's 28 minutes away! The best part is that it updates in real time, so you can watch the bus literally drive down the street! It was developed over about three years by a group of electrical engineering students through an extended-length class at the College of Engineering.

I feel proud to be a U-M alum.

 

[hypn0tik]

That's fvcking awesome. How much of a delay is there?

 

[sash1]

I want that!

 

[isekii]

Wow that is BRILLIANT!

Why are there so few buses tho ?

 

[jumpr]

Originally posted by: isekii
Wow that is BRILLIANT!

Why are there so few buses tho ?

Because it's after 7 p.m. The buses run every 10 min. before then.

 

[jumpr]

Originally posted by: hypn0tik
That's fvcking awesome. How much of a delay is there?

According to the project documentation, about 13 seconds.

 

[Sukhoi]

Illinois is real close to that. They have GPS tracking that updates arrival times on signs and online, but I haven't seen any maps that show the actual bus position yet.

 

[mjh]

That is awesome!

 

[her209]

4 years too late

 

[S Freud]

Thats actually pretty cool, I wish ours did that so you knew if it was running late or not.

 

[Brackis]

At NU we don't even need that because our buses suck so much ass that no one uses them.

 

[jumpr]

Originally posted by: her209
4 years too late

Show me a website that uses the Google Maps API and I'll agree with you.

 

[hypn0tik]

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: hypn0tik
That's fvcking awesome. How much of a delay is there?

According to the project documentation, about 13 seconds.

Damn. That's even sweeter!

 

[her209]

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: her209
4 years too late

Show me a website that uses the Google Maps API and I'll agree with you.

It wasn't around in 2002 so your point is moot

 

[RichieZ]

Originally posted by: Brackis
At NU we don't even need that because our buses suck so much ass that no one uses them.

intercampus shuttle was the only one that was ever useful.

 

[Brackis]

Originally posted by: RichieZ

Originally posted by: Brackis
At NU we don't even need that because our buses suck so much ass that no one uses them.

intercampus shuttle was the only one that was ever useful.

Will be taking that for the first time in a few weeks.

 

[slackerinabox]

I'm impressed!

 

[Dessert Tears]

I like the graphical interface.

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: her209
4 years too late

Show me a website that uses the Google Maps API and I'll agree with you.

It wasn't around in 2002 so your point is moot

http://icampus.mit.edu/projects/ShuttleTrack.shtml
As I recall, the early system was plagued by data drop-out and poor heuristics that would make the predicted arrival times either very early or very late. Sometimes the virtual van would "lap" the real one or vice versa.

I heard of a simpler tracking system that may have been installed on the SafeRide vans circa 1998. A short-range transmitter was placed on the van, and receivers were hooked up to computers at stops around the route. When the van came in range (i.e. making the stop), the receiver would note the event with a timestamp. Knowing MIT, this was probably implemented by sending a zephyr message. Although the exact position of the van would be unknown, the last known stop as well as the night's history would be available.

 

[intogamer]

How comes they don't have real time tracking for public =/

terrorist concern?

 

[thoro86]

I'm proud as well .... (even though I'm not a michigan student )

 

[Kaido]

I fed llamas at MSU once

 

[AgentUnknown]

Too bad they will lose to Ohio state...

 

[Goosemaster]

awesome.

 

[cessna152]

http://www.nextbus.com/predictor/newUserWelcome.shtml

Rutgers even has LED signs that tell you when the next bus will arrive. Its actually very handy.

H Bus 5 minutes.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Wow, that's an insanely great idea