By Brendan Kidwell
This paper presents a computer algorithm for predicting the arrival times of public fixed-route buses at their stops, based on real-time observations of the vehicles' geographic positions. The algorithm works by dividing each route into zones, and recording the time it takes to pass through each zone. Predictions are based on the most recent observation of a bus passing through each zone. The output of the algorithm can be displayed publicly to users of the system as the Estimated Time of Arrival of the next bus.