Improving E-Bus Management in Seattle
CarMedialab and INIT have formed a significant partnership with King County Metro (KCM) to enhance the efficiency and reliability of electric public transportation. This collaboration introduces the advanced Vehicle Health Monitoring System MOBILEvhm as well as the Charge Management System MOBILEcharge to KCM’s fleet of electric buses and trolleybuses, promoting sustainable urban mobility in Seattle, the largest city in the Pacific Northwest of North America.
MOBILEvhm will initially be installed on 45 King County Metro buses. In the coming years, this technology is planned to be expanded to a total of 500 battery electric buses and 174 trolleys over the contract term.. This initiative demonstrates KCM’s commitment to electrification and sets new standards in electric bus fleet management.
Additionally, KCM has chosen the charge management system MOBILEcharge. Under a five-year contract, the software will be implemented as a cloud solution, equipping both existing and future charging stations. A total of 369 charging stations will be outfitted for up to 500 battery electric buses. This enables efficient management and optimization of the charging infrastructure, which is crucial for the smooth operation of the electric fleet.
By integrating the MOBILEvhm software with the existing onboard computers and leveraging the Microsoft Azure Cloud, this partnership provides comprehensive operational insights. The real-time health monitoring enables proactive maintenance, reduces downtime, and ensures high service reliability for Seattle’s public transit users.
Scott Niskanen, project manager at King County Metro, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership and the project’s future:
“This RFP award for MOBILEcharge and MOBILEvhm enables King County Metro to deliver quality service with an electrified bus fleet. This technology supports KCM’s mandate of zero emissions by 2035 and is made possible through collaboration between Metro, KCIT, CarMedialab, and INIT.”
The collaboration between CarMedialab and King County Metro marks an important step towards a more sustainable future for public transportation in Seattle. By employing modern technology for monitoring and maintaining the electric fleet, CarMedialab and INIT contribute to a cleaner, more efficient public transit system that meets the needs of the community and environmental goals.
In cooperation with INIT, the world’s leading provider of integrated IT solutions for public transportation, we have developed solutions aimed at giving you a better overview of your bus fleet. Use the data from your vehicles and charging stations to your advantage.
