By: Drew S. McCaskey, DTC Marketing Manager

Passenger safety and competent bus driver performance are top priorities with DART First State (DART), Delaware’s bus, train, and intermodal transportation provider. To meet these goals, DART is among the first transit systems in the nation to install the new, leading edge, high tech VigilVanguard (VV) Driver Training and Evaluation System (http://www.vigil-systems.com). The VV system is an on-road driver-focused training and evaluation system that is used to identify and correct unsafe driver behavior. The VV system tracks bus drivers’ performance and helps produce safer bus drivers while reducing the costs and risks of accidents.

The VV system is a portable bus-to-bus system that consists of tablet PC using VigilView software, video cameras, and advanced sensors. The components measure, record, and report on driver performance including speed, smoothness of operation, clearance, following distance, braking, acceleration, and cornering. The VV system and its software features will improve DTC driver trainers’ ability to better concentrate on training instead of writing reports. Vigil Systems, based in Australia with offices in Ohio, has customers in Australia, USA, Canada, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

The implementation of the VV system is part of a larger DART effort toward improving rider and driver safety. More than eight years ago, DART began installing video cameras and digital video recorders on its current bus fleet of over 400 vehicles. Today this 5-camera system that captures digital video images from perspectives inside and outside the bus is used to train bus operators on customer service, investigate passenger conduct, vehicle accidents and injuries and occasionally assist local law enforcement with accident and criminal investigations using the bus’ video system as bystander witness.

DART Executive Director Stephen Kingsberry stated, “DART is pleased to bring the latest in transit technology to our system for our riders and drivers. These new VigilVanguard and Bus Camera systems will help DART continue to better serve our riders and employees, and make our training programs and transit services even more efficient and cost effective.”

DART First State is Delaware’s bus, train, and intermodal transportation provider. The Delaware Transit Corporation, a subsidiary of the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) under the direction of Secretary Carolann Wicks, operates DART First State. DART First State services include commuter rail, intercounty bus, fixed route bus, paratransit, seasonal resort bus, commuter assistance, Operation Lifesaver rail crossing safety, and the RideShare Delaware ridematching program. DART First State provides more than 10,200,000 passenger trips annually, removing up to 6,415,094 vehicle trips from area roadways. For public information for all fixed route services statewide, please call 1-800-652-DART. Paratransit reservations and GoLink information is available at 1-800-553-DART. More information is available on the web at www.DartFirstState.com. For media inquires, please call DelDOT Public Relations at 302-760-2080 or visit www.deldot.gov.