This article provides an overview of the myAvail in‑vehicle application. Vehicles are primarily used by vehicle operators that provide service in real time in your communities. System design eases some workflow challenges for your drivers, as some required tasks are automated and built- in features that allow drivers to focus on safety and on-time performance. The information below is beneficial to anyone who interacts with myAvail in‑vehicle systems. Some of your agency personnel may include:
- Vehicle operators who provide service for passengers
- Maintenance personnel who maintain vehicles
- Road supervisors, safety trainers, and dispatchers who assist operators
The myAvail system was developed as a core component of Avail's Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) for implementation at transit agency properties. Avail's in‑vehicle application was designed primarily to provide a way to collect data against the agency's publicly consumed schedule (on the road use / vehicles that collect all revenue and non-revenue data), and to make schedule information highly visible/ available to the public for trip planning needs. The MDT solution also deliberately reduces possible distraction for vehicle operators. Certain in- vehicle actions are automatically prompted, based on location, time and the digital schedule. Examples of Avail's automation include: ADA announcements, next three stops display, depart time prompts, automatic headsign updates, automatic boards/ alights counts ( if APC sensors are installed), fare collection, VHM alerts that are fielded to maintenance reports, and more.
For transit properties without ITS applications like myAvail, operators must manually complete a host of tasks:
- Review their paddle (work assignment)
- Monitor their schedule
- Decide when they need to pause on the route to prevent getting ahead of schedule
- Notify dispatch when they fall behind schedule
- Log onto the farebox and ensure that the farebox fareset is correct
- Change the farebox route information as needed
- Play Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) announcements
- Change the destination sign at the end of each trip
In comparison, the myAvail in‑vehicle system performs these tasks in the background so that the operator can focus on driving, safety, customer support, and schedule adherence. At the start of a shift, an operator turns the vehicle’s ignition on, which initiates the myAvail in-vehicle hardware system and software application. After the system completes startup, the operator uses a mobile data terminal touchscreen (MDT) to log on to their assigned piece of work ( run, block). The vehicle IVU displays the schedule for the run/ block/ paddle on the MDT for the vehicle operator, which is based on the selection the driver made (entered run, block, paddle Id information). If configured, the system can automatically connect to the farebox solution used.
Avail's ITS system continuously updates via the MDT, based on vehicle location and time, and how the vehicle is performing its piece of work. The MDT display includes information about the paddle (run/block) information; including route, trip, and next 3 stops. In addition, the MDT displays stop depart times, current OTP status, early or late departs, and also notifies the operator of upcoming detours with turn by turn adherence instructions. myAvail will automatically set the fareset for each route, make all necessary ADA announcements (for example, heavy use locations, points of interest), and automatically adjusts the destination sign as needed, based on direction.
To assist passengers waiting to board the vehicle, the system can play external vehicle announcements, indicating the current route. The system also provides an easy interface to assist the operator in making predefined onboard safety announcements. Additionally, the myAvail system automatically records and reports passenger counts, provides the operator an easy method for sending predefined text messages to dispatch, allows dispatch to send text messages to the operator, and importantly provides the operator a covert method for alerting dispatch about emergencies.
Along with assisting the operator, myAvail also provides detailed schedule adherence information, and alerts dispatch when the vehicle is not logged on, goes off route, and, if properly equipped, can inform maintenance about mechanical issues. The system performs these functions without involving operators.
For more details about each in-vehicle feature, refer to the articles in this section.