Patent Publication Number: US-2005137754-A1

Title: Transportation notification, emergency response, and surveillance system

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/419,889 entitled TRANSPORTATION NOTIFICATION, EMERGENCY RESPONSE, AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM filed by Alan L. Bartlett on Oct. 21, 2002, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates to systems providing interactive communication between transit patrons and providers of transit services. The invention further relates to emergency communication services analogous to  911 . This invention also relates to security and surveillance systems, and an improved reflective signaling device.  
     BACKGROUND  
      Note: In the descriptions to follow, patrons are defined as those person(s) desiring to utilize transit services, being differentiated from passenger(s) being those person(s) who are riding on transit vehicles. Mass transit is defined as those vehicles that follow generally prescribed routes such as buses, planes, boats and trains, while roving transit vehicles denote conveyances such as taxis, limousines, water taxis or chartered aircraft that provide “on demand services” and don&#39;t have rigorously defined routes and or schedules.  
      Heretofore mass transit systems such as that described by U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,176 utilize communication means to notify potential patrons when selected vehicles will arrive at selected stops, and teaches use of input devices to allow passengers to request services. However, this system describes only receivers at transit stops and thus does not acquire any notification from patrons waiting at transit stops relating to the locations of their stops and the transport routes from which they desire service. U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,176 describes use of a central computing system to dispatch transit vehicles, however, computers are known to fail and such failures of a central computer would disable the entire information network. U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,176 describes transit vehicles that use a global positioning system (GPS), in conjunction with stored tables to predict arrival times of transit vehicles at future stops. Arrival times calculated in this manner are known to lack precision due to being affected by many variables such as traffic delays, number of stops made, etc. Further, some users of transit systems, such as those not aware of the current time of day, would gain more useful information by knowing the times until arrival as opposed to the times of arrival, of their desired conveyances. U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,176 describes use of its communications system to allow passengers to signal a central processor of the need for service including emergency service. However the locations of these calls are described by U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,176 as being acquired from the GPS located on the transit vehicle from which the call originates, and no provision is described to independently transmit emergency request location data from transit stops independent of transit vehicles.  
      It is known in the art to provide an electrically powered signal structure at a transit stop capable of interacting with patrons, to generate an indication to drivers of mass transit vehicles that patrons are waiting for pickup.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 698,942 to Harrison, issued on Apr. 29, 1902, teaches a signaling device at a train station that automatically activates a signal (a light for use at night and a semaphore for use during the day) whenever a patron stands inside the station or on a platform outside the station. U.S. Pat. No. 743,789 to Wrenn, issued on Nov. 10, 1905, teaches another signaling device—a cluster of electric lights—at a train station that can be turned on by a prospective passenger, and later turned off by the passing car. Solar Outdoor Lighting of Boca Raton, Fla., has manufactured a solar-powered light source that can be activated by patrons at transit stops to provide illumination to the patrons and to signal approaching bus drivers. U.S. Pat. No. 6,621,177 to Westcott, issued on Sep. 16, 2003, teaches use of a flashing light activated by patrons at a self powered transit stop intended to signal an approaching bus driver. The disadvantages of these signaling methods is their dependence upon continued power to be supplied at their installed locations for night viewing, limitations as to the amount of power that can be supplied for signaling by a energy storage unit at self powered transit stop, the mechanical complexity of an operable semaphore used for signaling, and the difficulty of discerning a semaphore and its position when it is located among other devices in an urban environment, and the fact that if the day and night signaling means are used in a mutually exclusive fashion, then the signal will be ambiguous at twilight conditions.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      An object of the present invention is to eliminate system outage from failure of a central computer by providing a distributed information flow with direct communication between transit stops and transit vehicles.  
      Traditionally, mass transit patrons must locate themselves at designated transit stops where operators of conveyance vehicles approaching the transit stops can see them. Frequently several transit vehicles having different routes share some transit stops. Thus all transit vehicles must stop at every transit stop location having patrons waiting to determine if the patrons want their particular routes. An object of the present invention is to provide patrons at transit stops with a system capable of informing operators of mass transit conveyance vehicles of the locations where patrons are requesting transportation and which routes are desired. A further object is to provide patrons waiting at the transit stops confirmation that the targeted transit vehicles have received their requests.  
      An object of the present invention is to provide a capability for feedback from an approaching transit vehicle, to the transit stop of the patron having selected the transit vehicle&#39;s particular route, that the transit vehicle received notification that the patron is waiting, and the approximate amount of time before the transit vehicle will arrive at the patron&#39;s transit stop. With knowledge of how many and which intervening stops have to be serviced, estimates of times until arrivals can be reasonably estimated and communicated to the transit stops requesting service.  
      Inclement weather conditions frequently make it desirable for transit patrons to wait in sheltered areas, which are sometimes located near some transit stops. A further object of this invention is to provide short range communication between the transit shelters and their associated transit stops, to provide patrons in the shelters with interactive use of the transit stops input and output functions via redundant input and output devices located in the shelter. By utilizing this invention, mass transit patrons waiting in shelters, can have the assurance that their selected conveyance vehicles have knowledge that they are waiting. This affords the patrons with opportunities to better utilize the time waiting, by not having to stand at the transit stop and monitor approaching transit vehicles. By utilizing this invention transit vehicles can avoid stopping at locations having patrons waiting for vehicles of other routes and thus improve the efficiency of running their routes.  
      Some mass transit systems are already in place, which utilize a central computing system to communicate with transit vehicles within their system. A further object of this invention is to provide capabilities for the transit stops described in this invention to communicate through a central facility which communicates with the transit vehicles and thus provides an intermediate link between the transit stops and mass transit vehicles.  
      An additional object of the present invention is to improve transit system efficiencies by eliminating some stops on prescribed routes, through providing information to the system that includes both the locations of transit stops having patrons requesting service, and the particular routes desired by these patrons.  
      An object of the present invention is to provide patrons at designated transit stops served by roving transit vehicles such as taxis, with capabilities to communicate with their central dispatch facilities to inform them of the locations where patrons are seeking transportation. A further object of the present invention is to provide capabilities at the transit stops, which the central dispatch facilities could utilize to acquire video images, in addition to data and sound, from the calling locations, as a possible deterrent to crimes known to be perpetrated upon operators of these transit vehicles.  
      An object of the present invention is to provide drivers of mass transit vehicles, who have progressed to within line of sight of a transit stop, with means to determine if the transit stop has patrons waiting for pickup, said means not requiring any continuous power from the transit stop, and said means recognizable in both daylight and darkness.  
      Some callers seeking emergency service, such as children, or people speaking only foreign languages, may either not know, or not be able to communicate the exact location they are calling from. An object of this invention is to provide persons at transit stops with a capability to initiate an emergency call analogous to 911, that includes capability for two way voice, a prerecorded message describing the call as an emergency with verbalization of the location of the calls origin, video transmission from the transit stop and data indicative of the location of the calls origin.  
      Numerous scenarios can be envisioned whereby it would be useful for providers of mass transit to be able to obtain video images and sound from the transit stops served by their vehicles. Such capability could facilitate security, for instance if a patron requesting service was seen to be carrying a fire arm, law enforcement could be summoned. This capability would discourage vandalism of the transit stops, if potential vendors knew they could be seen and or heard. An object of the present invention is to provide capabilities at the transit stops, which the providers of mass transit service could utilize to acquire video images and sound, in addition to data, from transit stops.  
      An unexpected result of creating one of the elements of this invention was its potential use as an improved signaling device using reflected light. Common light reflectors as are normally used on such things as street signs, mailboxes, residential house numbers, bicycle fenders, running shoe heels, caution markers, toys, and Christmas Tree ornaments would be more obvious to viewers if they were blinking. The use of a light shuttering device in combination with a common light reflector as described by this invention results in a novel, low power, highly visible signaling device.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, diagrammatically illustrate a preferred embodiment of this invention, and together with the general description above and detailed description below serve to explain the principles of this invention.  
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of a transportation notification system including a solar powered transit stop, transit shelter, and transit vehicle, with communication links between the parts.  
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of one embodiment of the control and display electronics of the transportation notification system.  
       FIG. 3  illustrates a transit stop with local communication to a transit shelter and distant communication to a facility that can both dispatch roving transit vehicles and monitor activity provided by a camera at the transit stop.  
       FIG. 4  illustrates a system integrating a transit stop and an emergency response center that can dispatch emergency vehicles.  
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of another embodiment of the control and display electronics of the current invention deployed redundantly in a transit shelter and transit stop subsystem.  
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the transit stop control processor, which includes a data link to a global positioning system, GPS, for acquiring location information.  
       FIG. 7  illustrates one embodiment of a shuttering system for blocking reflection of radiant energy from reaching a reflector at a transit stop, thereby signaling that no patrons have requested transit service at said stop.  
       FIG. 8  illustrates the shuttering system of  FIG. 7  with the shutter opened, thereby signaling that patrons are waiting for transportations services.  
       FIG. 9  is a diagram of a signaling device comprising a light shutter and a reflector.  
       FIG. 10  depicts the signaling device of  FIG. 9  with the shutter in the closed position.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       FIG. 1  depicts a preferred embodiment of the public transportation information system, which comprises a transit stop  70  communicatively coupled to a communications exchange  300  communicatively coupled to a mass transit vehicle  10 . Transit stop  70  comprises a transit stop control module  50  powered by a solar cell array  40  and communicatively coupled to a user interface  60  and camera  30 . The transit stop control module  50 , camera  30 , solar cell array  40 , and user interface display and input panel  60  are supported by a support platform  71 . The transit stop could also be supported by the support member of a display information apparatus incorporated herein by reference “Application No. 60/388/532, filing date Jun. 13, 2002. The transit stop control module  50  is optionally communicatively coupled via shelter communication link  320  to a remote display and input panel  210  mounted in a nearby transit shelter  200 . Shelter communication link  320  preferably comprises low power wireless communications devices that utilize, for example, radio frequency carriers or infrared light signals. Alternatively, shelter communications link  320  comprises a wired connection. Also seen in  FIG. 1  are mass transit vehicle  10 , containing vehicle communication display module  20 , and communications exchange  300 , providing wireless connectivity between transit stop  70  and mass transit vehicle  10  by way of transit stop communication link  310 . In the preferred embodiment, transit stop communication link  310  utilizes wireless phone technology, and communication exchange  300  includes one or more telephone exchanges that provide connectivity between the transit stop  70  and other locations. It will be appreciated, however, that alternate communications technologies may be used, such as radio transmissions and/or satellite links. Transit stop communication link  310  may also include an Internet connection, whereby communication exchange  300  would include both telephone exchanges and linkage through Internet service providers. Camera  30  is either a still camera, preferably of the digital variety, or a video camera operably connected to transit stop control module  50 . In the preferred embodiment, solar cell array  40  supplies energy to transit stop  70 . Commercial power, however, could be used as an alternate embodiment when it is available.  
       FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of the control and display electronics of the public transportation information system  150 . The public transportation information system  150  comprises the transit stop control module  50 , the user interface display and input panel  60 , the communications exchange  300 , and the vehicle communication display module  20 . User interface display and input panel  60  comprises emergency pushbutton  62 , transit select pushbuttons  64  and display  66 . Transit stop control module  50  comprises transit stop communication device  52  with attached microphone input  53  and output speaker  51 . Transit stop control module  50  further comprises transit stop energy storage  54 , transit stop short range communication device  56 , and transit stop control processor  58  with its attached transit stop storage element  59 . Components of user interface  60  and transit stop control module  50  are interconnected by transit stop electrical connections  61 . Vehicle communication control module  20  comprises vehicle communication device  80 , vehicle processor &amp; data storage  90 , vehicle display panel  100  and vehicle communication display module electrical connections  95 .  
      In the preferred embodiment, transit stop energy storage  54  comprises a rechargeable battery and charging components, electrically connected to solar cell array  40  previously seen in  FIG. 1 . In an alternate embodiment, where commercial power replaces solar cell array input, transit stop energy storage  54  comprises a power supply, which converts alternating current voltage to direct current voltage stored by capacitors.  
      In the preferred embodiment, vehicle communication device  80  and transit stop communication device  52  employ wireless phone technology to communicate. Alternate embodiments utilize other well-known communications methods, such as radio transmitters. In the preferred embodiment, communications devices  80  and  52  comprise modulator-demodulators (modems) of the type that communicates voice and data simultaneously, which are commonly referred to as DSVD modems.  
      In the preferred embodiment transit stop storage element  59  comprises semiconductor memory, but alternate embodiments are possible using magnetic media such as computer disks, or light storage devices such as compact disks (CDs).  
      In the preferred embodiment transit stop short range communication device  56  is implemented with low power radio frequency, however in alternate embodiments it could comprise light sending and receiving devices such as infrared transmitters and receivers, or it could be a directly wired connection.  
      In the preferred embodiment, pushbutton  62  initiates emergency calls, which activates a switch (not shown), however alternate embodiments could utilize mechanical devices such as a pull chain or lever to activate the switch.  
      In the preferred embodiment, display  66  comprises graphical display devices capable of displaying times until arrivals of transit vehicles, and illuminating devices such as light emitting diodes and incandescent lamps. In the preferred embodiment, vehicle display panel  100  comprises graphical display devices capable of displaying identifications of transit stops, input switches, and illuminating devices such as light emitting diodes and incandescent lamps.  
      In the preferred embodiment, transit select pushbuttons  64  are mechanical pushbuttons. In an alternate embodiment, targets on a touch panel overlay could implement transit select pushbuttons  64   
       FIG. 3  illustrates an alternative or enhanced embodiment of a public transportation information system comprising a central dispatch facility  325  in communication with one or more roving transit vehicles  14  over communications link  315 .  
       FIG. 4  depicts the communication links of transit stop  70  in communication with emergency response center  330 . Emergency response center  330  communicates with emergency vehicle(s)  12  over emergency vehicle communication link  340  which may the same or different from the embodiment of transit stop communication link  310 .  
       FIG. 5  depicts, a transit stop subsystem  68  comprising a transit stop control module  50  and display and input panel  60 . Transit stop subsystem  68  is shown connected by shelter communication link  320 , described above, to remote display &amp; input panel  210 . Remote display &amp; input panel  210  comprises shelter energy storage  212 , transit shelter short-range communication device  214 , shelter control processor  216 , remote transit select pushbuttons  218 , shelter electrical connections  213 , and shelter alarm device  219 . Shelter alarm device  219  has provision for audible and visual outputs.  
      In the preferred embodiment transit stop short range communication device  214  is implemented with low power radio frequency, however in alternate embodiments it could comprise light sending and receiving devices such as infrared transmitters and receivers, or it could be a directly wired connection.  
      In the preferred embodiment, transit select pushbuttons  64  are mechanical pushbuttons. In an alternate embodiment, transit select pushbuttons  64  could be implemented as targets on a touch panel overlay to a display panel.  
      In the preferred embodiment shelter energy storage  212  is comprised of a battery, but could include power input from commercial power, a wired connection to transit stop  70  seen in  FIG. 1 , or by addition of a solar cell array (not shown).  
       FIG. 6  depicts an alternate embodiment of transit stop control module  50 , which further comprises a global positioning system  57 .  
       FIG. 7  illustrates the incorporation of a shuttering device  520  depicted in its closed state, affixed to transit stop  70 , to implement a means of blocking incident radiant energy  500  from striking reflector  540  on transit stop  70 , thus eliminating any reflections to mass transit vehicle  10 . The closed state of the shuttering device  520 , is shown as being determined by the shutter control  530  linkage to the transit stop control module  50 .  
       FIG. 8  illustrates the incorporation of a shuttering device  520  depicted in its open state, affixed to transit stop  70 , to implement a means of passing incident radiant energy  500  through to reflector  540  on transit stop  70 , thus providing reflections to mass transit vehicle  10 . The open state of the shuttering device  520 , is shown as being determined by the shutter control  530  linkage to the transit stop control module  50 .  
       FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrates a signaling device comprising a reflector  540  having a shutter  520  interposed in its incident light path  600  and reflective light path  610 . The open, light passing state, and closed, light blocking state, of shutter  520  are depicted as being set by a shutter control module  650 &#39;s output electrical connection through shutter control wiring  640 . In the preferred embodiment, shutter control module  650  further comprises a timing element, not shown, which causes shutter  520  to transition between its open and closed states at a predetermined rate.  
      In the preferred embodiment, incident radiant energy is visible light and shuttering device  520 , comprises a suspended particle device, SPD, as recited in U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,040, a film that changes from transparent to opaque in response to applied electrical energy, and reflector  540  is a plurality of the common types of visible light reflectors as are normally used on street signs, street median markers, and bicycles fenders and caution signs. In an alternate embodiment, shuttering device  520  could be implemented by mechanical means having operation similar to a Venetian blind as is commonly used with ordinary windows. Although the preferred embodiment utilizes visible light and a light shuttering device, alternate embodiments could employ other forms of radiated energy such as sound or radio frequency with other means of reflecting and blocking said radiated energy. For instance, it is known in the art to emit radar waves and use their reflections to determine presence and or speed of vehicles, and it is known to employ means which block reflection of radar signals as are employed by military stealth aircraft.  
     DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION  
     
       FIG. 2 
     
      In the preferred embodiment, vehicle processor and data storage device  90  communicates via vehicle communication device,  80 , to query transit stops located at future points along the route traveled by its associated transit vehicle. Vehicle processor and data storage device  90  has memory storage to maintain a table of calling numbers and associate physical locations of the transit stops on its route, and the nominal travel time between successive stops.  
      Transit stop control processor  58  uses transit stop storage element  59  to maintain memory of selections of the specific route(s) desired by patrons, from their depressions of transit select pushbutton(s)  64 . Vehicle processor &amp; data storage  90  outputs to vehicle display panel  100 , the locations of the transit stops called, having matches of patron selections to the transit vehicle route.  
     
       FIGS. 1, 2 
     
      At appropriate times, query calls are made from transit vehicle(s)  10  to future transit stop(s)  70 , and patron selection data that corresponds to their respective routes is uploaded and estimated time(s) to arrive at the transit stop(s) called is downloaded. From query responses, vehicle processor &amp; data storage  90  determines which transit stops have patrons waiting for its associated specific route, and presents this transit stop location data in visual form on vehicle display panel  100 . Further, each query contains the route identifier of the transit vehicle initiating the call and a coded authorization identifier. When transit stop control processor  58  receives queries, it validates receipt of authorization identifications and transmits a list of its stored transit route requests that correspond to the route identities received in the queries. Transit stop control processor  58  provides acknowledgements to display panel  66  to inform the patron(s) when their selected routes have been queried, and the estimates of times until arrivals of the requested transit vehicles. Transit stop control processor  58  receipts of calls lacking authorization identification results in disconnect of the incoming call to prevent tying up the communication link  310 . While the stored numbers of vehicle processor and data storage device  90  in a preferred embodiment, are telephone numbers, it can be appreciated that in an alternate embodiment they could implemented as IP addresses on an Internet link, or by other means on a radio frequency link.  
       FIGS. 2,4 ,  6   
      Emergency pushbutton  62  shown in  FIG. 2  is implemented in a guarded secure manner to prevent accidental unwanted activation, and transit stop control processor  58  recognizes its intentional depression. Transit stop storage element  59  has memory storage of calling numbers of emergency response centers  330  seen in  FIG. 4 . Transit stop control module  58  initiates calls, to one or more emergency response centers upon activation of the emergency call pushbutton  62 . In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , transit stop control module  50  has the physical location of its associated transit stop  70  stored in transit stop storage element  59 , and transmits this location address in conjunction with all messages. In an alternate embodiment, as depicted in  FIG. 6 , transit stop control module  50  could include a global positioning system  57  for determining its physical location.  
     
       FIGS. 2,4 
     
      In the preferred embodiment, transit stop storage element  59  also contains a recorded voice message, which defines the message as being of an emergency type coming from the location of its associated transit stop. Transit stop control processor  58  responds to depression of emergency pushbutton  62 , by retrieving the number for emergency calls stored in transit stop storage element  59 , and activating transit stop communication device  52  to establish a communication link with an emergency response center  330 . Upon transit stop control processor  58  detecting an emergency call being answered, it causes the recorded voice message to be communicated, after which two-way voice communication to the emergency response center  330  is facilitated by speaker  51  and microphone  53 .  
      Provision is made to send video images from camera.  30 , in addition to voice communication facilitated by microphone  53  and speaker  51 . Means are well known in the teleconferencing art to include methodology for controlling video cameras attributes such as direction of orientation and viewing angle, concurrently with two-way transmission of audio. In the preferred embodiment transit stop control module  50  and camera  30  are responsive to teleconferencing type control signals. In the preferred embodiment, designated facilities such as the emergency response center  330  and central dispatching facilities  325 , would have computers connected to communication link  310 , through DSVD modems and could receive and transmit simultaneous data and voice. Computers connected with DSVD modems at emergency response center  330  or central dispatching facilities  325  could input and process data, acquire, display, and store images emanating from camera  30 , and alter direction of imaging of camera  30  via control data sent over transit stop communication link  310 . From analysis of the video and audio received, emergency response center  330  could communicate over emergency vehicle communication link  340  with appropriate emergency response vehicle(s)  12 . In an alternate embodiment requiring enhanced security, encryption could be applied to any or all, sound, data and video images communicated from transit stop  70  prior to transmission, and receiving facilities would have capabilities for deciphering the encrypted communicated sound, video and data.  
     
       FIGS. 1, 3 
     
       FIG. 3  illustrates the capability of transit stop  70  to be used by patrons who request transport service through a central facility.  FIG. 3  illustrates transit vehicle  14  as a roving vehicle, taxi, but, obviously, the same embodiment could be applied for mass transit vehicles  10  such as buses that have communications with a central facility. In this embodiment, display and input panel  60  comprises pushbuttons that provide selection of one or more providers of transit service. In the preferred operation of this embodiment, transit stop control processor  58  acquires from storage element  59 , the call numbers of the central dispatch facilities  325 , corresponding to pushbuttons of display panel  60 , and by use of transit stop communication device  52 , transit stop communication link  310  and communications exchange  300 , establishes a communication link with the central facility  325  corresponding to the pushbutton depressed. Central dispatch facilities having computers capable of acquiring data and or images, can, in addition to the normal voice interaction with the patron calling, utilize these capabilities to determine the location of the call origin, and view and or store video images emanating from the call origin location. A record of both the video images of, and audio inputs from patrons requesting service could thus be maintained at the central dispatch facility as a means to discourage future crimes being perpetrated on drivers of transit vehicles. Central dispatch facility  325  is illustratively shown communicating with roving transit vehicle(s)  14 , by way of communications link  315 , to respond to patron requests initiated at transit stops  70 . Central dispatch facilities  325 , having means to transmit data, in addition to voice, on communications link  310 , could provide data to transit stop control module  50  for output to display and input panel  60  relative to acknowledgment of the dispatch of transit vehicle  14  and the estimated arrival time, or time to arrive, for transit vehicle  14 .  
     
       FIGS. 3,5 
     
      Also shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , is a redundant user interface implemented by remote display &amp; input panel  210 , located in shelter  200 . Remote display and input panel  210 , is connected to transit stop control module  50  of transit stop  70 , by shelter communication link  320 . Transit select pushbuttons on remote transit select pushbuttons panel  218  are functionally similar to transit select pushbuttons of display and input panel  60 . In transit shelter  200 , control processor  216  responds to depressions of pushbuttons on remote transmit select pushbuttons  218 , and communicates pushbutton selections to transit stop control processor  58  by way of transit shelter short range communication device,  214 , communications link  320  and transit stop short range communication device  56 . In the preferred embodiment, shelter energy storage  212  comprises a battery. To conserve energy in shelter energy storage  212 , shelter control processor  216  and shelter short range communication device  214  are in an inactive state until a pushbutton is depressed on the remote transmit select pushbutton  218  panel, whereupon they are activated for sufficient time to transfer selection data to transit stop control processor  58 . Also in the preferred embodiment, shelter alarm device  219  comprises a sounding device and flashing illuminated device to indicate acknowledgements from transit vehicles. In alternate embodiments shelter energy storage device  212  could be replenished by commercial power, from inclusion of a solar charger or from power input from energy storage device  54  when shelter communication link  320  is implemented by direct-wired connections. In an alternate embodiment where energy is replenished, shelter control processor  216  and transit shelter short range communication device,  214  could-remain powered and pushbutton selection acknowledgements resulting in outputs to display  66  could be communicated to shelter control processor  216  to provide redundant output on shelter alarm device  219  for notifications to patrons of transit selection acknowledgements received from mass transit vehicles. In embodiments whereby transit shelter  200  has power replenished, shelter alarm device  219  could comprise a graphic display and remote transit select pushbuttons  218  could comprise a touch panel overlay.  
     
       FIGS. 7,8 
     
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate the response of patron depression of pushbuttons located on Display and Input Panel  60 , that are coupled to Transit Stop Control Module  50 , which in turn activates shutter control  530  to set shutter  520  to the open, passing position, permitting incident Radiant Energy  500 , to be reflected from Reflector  540  as Reflected Energy  510  to be observed by the driver of mass transit vehicle  10 , as an indication that patrons are waiting for pickup. In the preferred embodiment, Control Module  50  comprises timing means to restore shutter  520  to the closed, blocking position after a preset time interval. In an alternate embodiment, communication from mass transit vehicle  10  to transit stop  70  could be employed as a means to cause control module  50  to activate shutter control  530  to set shutter  520  to the closed, blocking position.  
     
       FIGS. 9 and 10 
     
       FIGS. 9 and 10  show a signaling device comprising a shutter  520  located in the light path of a reflector  540 . The open, light passing state of shutter  520  is shown by  FIG. 9  as passing incident light  600  to produce reflected light  610  from reflector  540  and the closed state of shutter  520  is depicted by  FIG. 10  as blocking incident light  600  from being reflected. The open and closed states of shutter  520  are determined by shutter control module  650 &#39;s output electrical energy being connected by shutter control wiring  640  to shutter  520 . In the preferred embodiment, shutter control module  650  comprises a timing element, not shown, which causes shutter  520  to transition to a closed state after a predetermined time, and/or to transition between the open and closed states at a predetermined rate, resulting in reflector  540  having the appearance of blinking on and off. Suitable timing elements capable of performing these functions are well known in the art, and include but are not limited to electrical circuits and microprocessors.  
      Although the foregoing specific details describe various embodiments of the invention, persons reasonably skilled in the art will recognize that various changes may be made in the details of the apparatus of this invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Therefore, it should be understood that, unless otherwise specified, this invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described herein.  
     Drawings—Reference Numerals  
     
         
           10  Mass transit vehicle  
           12  Emergency vehicle  
           14  Roving transit vehicle  
           20  Vehicle communication display module  
           30  Camera  
           40  Solar cell array  
           50  Transit stop control module  
           51  Speaker  
           52  Transit Stop Communication Device  
           53  Microphone  
           54  Transit Stop Energy storage  
           56  Transit stop short range communication device  
           57  Global positioning system  
           58  Transit stop Control processor  
           59  Transit stop storage element  
           60  Display and input panel  
           61  Transit stop electrical connections  
           62  Emergency pushbutton  
           64  Transit select pushbuttons  
           66  Transit stop display  
           68  Transit stop subsystem  
           70  Transit stop  
           71  Support platform  
           80  Vehicle communication device  
           90  Vehicle processor &amp; data storage  
           95  Vehicle communication display module electrical connections  
           100  Vehicle Display panel  
           150  Public Transportation Information System  
           200  Transit shelter  
           210  Remote display and input panel  
           212  Shelter energy storage  
           213  Shelter electrical connections  
           214  Shelter short range communication device  
           216  Shelter control processor  
           218  Remote transit select pushbuttons  
           219  Shelter alarm device  
           300  Communication exchange  
           310  Transit stop communication link  
           320  Shelter communication link  
           315  Central dispatch to transit vehicle communication link  
           325  Central dispatch facility  
           330  Emergency response center  
           340  Emergency vehicle communication link  
           500  Radiant energy  
           510  Reflected radiant energy  
           520  Shutter  
           530  Shutter control  
           540  Reflector  
           600  Incident light  
           610  Reflected light  
           650  Shutter control module  
           640  Shutter control wing