myAvail’s in-vehicle application displays headway spacing information to help operators maintain or restore the optimal distance between vehicles on the route. The system helps operators adjust their operation based on the vehicle in front of them.
Based on spacing with the leading vehicle, the IVU displays one of the following indications:
- GO: The operator should proceed with operations as usual because spacing with the leading vehicle is within the specified parameters.
- SLOW: The operator should slow down or increase dwell time at stops as safety permits because the operator’s vehicle is bunched with the vehicle in front of it.
Additionally, the system displays information about spacing with the vehicle behind the operator. However, that is for informational purposes only and does not affect the Go or Slow indicators.
Operators do not need to consider how other operators will react to spacing concerns because the system displays the appropriate Go/Slow indicator to each operator.
The indicators are recommendations. operators must use their judgment and proceed safely regardless of the display. The system never tells operators to go faster.
Optimal Spacing
When the operator’s vehicle is optimally spaced between the leading and trailing vehicle, the system displays the following:
The display indicates that the operator’s vehicle is:
- Optimally spaced at 10 minutes behind the leading vehicle.
- Optimally spaced at 10 minutes ahead of the trailing vehicle.
GO indicates that the operator should proceed as usual.
Bunched with Leading Vehicle
When the operator’s vehicle is too close to the leading vehicle (bunched), the system displays the following:
The display indicates that the operator’s vehicle is:
- Bunched with the leading vehicle (5 minutes behind).
- Optimally spaced at 10 minutes ahead of the trailing vehicle.
SLOW indicates that the operator should slow down or increase dwell time at stops to alleviate the bunching.
Gapped with Leading Vehicle
When the operator’s vehicle is too far behind the leading vehicle (gapped), the system displays the following:
The display indicates that the operator’s vehicle is:
- Gapped with the leading vehicle (15 minutes behind).
- Optimally spaced at 10 minutes ahead of the trailing vehicle.
GO indicates that the operator should proceed as usual.
Bunched with Trailing Vehicle
When the operator’s vehicle is too close to the trailing vehicle (bunched), the system displays the following:
The display indicates that the operator’s vehicle is:
- Optimally spaced at 10 minutes behind the leading vehicle.
- Bunched with the trailing vehicle (5 minutes ahead).
GO indicates that the operator should proceed as usual.
Gapped with Trailing Vehicle
When the operator’s vehicle is too far ahead of the trailing vehicle (gapped), the system displays the following:
The display indicates that the operator’s vehicle is:
- Optimally spaced at 10 minutes behind the leading vehicle.
- Gapped with the trailing vehicle (15 minutes ahead).
GO indicates that the operator should proceed as usual.