PRT Radio System Analysis and Needs Assessment

The Port Authority of Allegheny County d.b.a. Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) commissioned Introba to investigate and recommend alternatives for improving the performance of their self-owned UHF radio systems used for mobile voice and data communications critical for operating their transit vehicle fleet. The deliverable report summarized PRT’s operational communication needs, documented numerous issues with the health of the current radio communications systems, and presented alternative choices for meeting these needs. A recommendation was made for implementing overhauled solutions that supported PRT’s day-to-day operations and best achieved PRT’s long-term functional, performance, and reliability goals in a cost-effective manner.

Project Phases

Phase 1: Assessing existing PRT Land Mobile Radio Communications Systems

Phase 2: Analyzing the effectiveness of the systems (their components) and coverage

Phase 3: Recommending available technologies for voice and data

Phase 4: Providing a best-fit recommendation and budgetary estimates for system upgrades and/or replacement

Project Tasks

• Gathered, compiled, and documented existing data and records
• Accessed FCC license data
• Performed site survey inspections to document existing conditions
• Performed key stakeholder interviews
• Conducted analysis using compiled data
• Developed alternatives solutions including cost information
• Provided best fit recommendation and final rough order of magnitude

Project Highlight

• PRT is the 20th largest public transit agency in the USA

• PRT provides bus, light rail, incline and paratransit services

• PRT’s fleet consist of 700+ buses operates 365 days a year

• PRT’s light rail system consists of 75 LRVs, 27 stations, and 27 miles of track