My involvement with this project stems to a conversation with Al Davis way back in 1999. I have been a long time communication service provider for Huskie Bus's Radio Dispatch system.
One day, the idea of GPS navigation came up, and us both being the computer geeks we are, began to contemplate "watching" the fleet through a computer monitor. While it was already possible back then using the cellular network and corporate clout, I took it a step further by challenging myself to develop a means to achieve this using the existing radio system already installed on the buses.
After a bit of late night R&D, we had a working model, but the interest and budgets just weren't ready for it. For many years, it would remain an idea waiting in the wing. Some years later, Brent Keller caught wind of our experiment. He asked if I would construct and provide a working demonstration system that could be presented and observed by staff and faculty in real time. The necessary hardware was resurrected with modern components, and presented to the geography dept. The cobbled up demonstration system consisted of a standard logic trunked 2-way bus radio carrying an embedded GPS satellite receiver, all mounted inside an aluminum briefcase, pseudo James Bond style.
Using magnetic mount antennas for the GPS and uplink to Tri-Star's radio relay tower, we placed the briefcase in Phil Young's car, and sent it off for a ride around the DeKalb area. Another portable radio set connected to a laptop was set up at the Geography Dept. In a few short minutes, the movement of Phil's car using the same type of voice radio system that Huskie Bus uses for daily voice communications was once again up and running. We were able to provide exact vehicle location, direction of travel, and ground speed using existing hardware on board the buses, without being reliant upon a subscription based nationwide common carrier network.
From that point, I began to discuss technical parameters with the geography lab. This has since evolved into the provision of 2 radio modems installed at the geography dept which feeds raw GPS transponder data from buses, into the servers to be processed and converted into useful graphical information that Phil and Rick have presented us in fine style!
Jim Warner, Owner and President, Tri-Star Communications Inc.
The process of tracking buses had its origins back in 2005 when the NIU Virtual Web Map campus system debuted. At that time a functional web based Geographic Information System (GIS) was developed to assist students and visitors in locating various resources throughout NIU. This was a collaborative effort between students, staff and faculty working from the Advanced Geospatial Laboratory (AGL) within the Department of Geography. Under the Directorship of Philip Young and Programmer Rick Schwantes, this facility has worked on or contributed to numerous NSF and NASA grants. In addition AGL has worked with NIU grants and projects such as the Barsema Alumni Center, Stadium Seating Project (pending), Public Safety maps as well as local Government agencies.
With the success of the Virtual Campus Map, the idea of implementing tracking capabilities within the system was suggested. From the original “base map” a prototype was designed this past spring and tested in terms of proof of concept. Once this initial concept had been developed a full working model was designed. This project involved a student that input feature classes such as bus stops with data base attributes. The work also included many hours of programming from Rick Schwantes and web design that he and Philip Young worked on in terms of a custom interface.
The Huskie Tracking system runs through GeoMedia Professional Web Map software provide by Intergraph Corporation, a worldwide leader in Geospatial Mapping solutions. This software is part of a site license agreement between Intergraph, Northern Illinois University and the Advanced Geospatial laboratory.
Philip P. Young, Director Advanced Geospatial Laboratory Certified GIS Professional Research Associate
Rick Schanwtes, Programmer Research Associate
Donielle McArthur, Undergraduate Student Geography Major
As administrator of the Video Messaging System Plasma Screens in Holmes Student Center (HSC) I was contacted by Brent Keller in late February of 2007. He briefly outlined the collaboration between the Student Association (SA) and the Advanced Geospatial Laboratory (AGL) to develop a GPS tracking system, now known as HuskieTracks. This system would be readily accessed by NIU students through the Web and in high traffic bus waiting areas as a time saving convenience. He requested information on the requisition process that we went through for our Video Messaging Screens within the HSC and asked simply if we could provide information on vendors and associated costs for equipment.
Upon consultation with our Director, Mitch Kielb, it was suggested that HSC might be able to supply not only the background information but make a more significant contribution in providing monetary and implementation support. On review, the benefit to the students fit right in with a segment our mission statement which dictates that we provide service, conveniences, and amenities appropriate to a University Center.
We requested a meeting with Brent to see how we could best contribute to the project. Under the direction of Mitch Kielb involved parties were able to come to an agreement where the HSC provided all necessary equipment, installation and technical support to host content provided by the AGL for GPS tracking information and SA informational postings on plasma screens located near the HSC Food Court, interior bus turnaround waiting area and Dusable vending area.
With the assistance of HSC Business Office, NIU Procurement, Electricians, ITS personnel and Carpenters the requisition and installation of screens and computers was performed over the course of the Summer Break.
HSC then attended a number of planning and update meetings to facilitate a successful rollout. With the input of various Student Groups, Faculty, Vendors and Administrators the project was set debut on schedule to the Student Body in mid-September of the Fall Semester.
Christian Riddle, Huskies' Den Manager
On behalf of the Student Association, I’m honored to take a moment to reflect on one of the greatest successes this year for the students of Northern Illinois University. The GPS System represents considerable energy and collaboration between the Student Association and the Student Senate to bring something truly cutting edge on NIU Campus. This system will allow students to track the locations of Huskie Buses every single minute of the day. Late buses as a result of inclement weather will no longer be a mystery for busy NIU students.
I have had the privilege of watching the development of this project unfold from its conception to its conclusion, and I am proud to say that this is an excellent example of student-centered service. With the academic school year still getting off the ground, the momentum of this early success will continue to inspire our work throughout the year.
I encourage all students to take a moment and check out the new GPS system for the Huskie Bus line. It can be easily accessed from your home computers at http://huskietracks.niu.edu. As the proud stewards of the second largest mass transit system in the state of Illinois, this is truly an achievement for the students of NIU.
Respectfully,
Robert Budach
Student Association Advisor