Frozen Signs

[cta5658]

has anyone seen any buses with frozen signs? i saw #6082 twice and it's sign was frozen at "103RD GARAGE"

[Danielsmusic]

has anyone seen any buses with frozen signs? i saw #6082 twice and it's sign was frozen at "103RD GARAGE"

Yeah, I see at least 10 a day. It's pretty common on the Flxibles (5300s and 6000s, although moreso the 5300s). I've also seen a few New Flyers (a few 1000s, mostly 5800s). I've also seen maybe one out of fifteen TMCs with this problem.

[jajuan]

has anyone seen any buses with frozen signs? i saw #6082 twice and it's sign was frozen at "103RD GARAGE"

During the first couple of weeks of last month, I would see 5652 with its destination sign stuck on '52 KEDZIE/CALIF', which then flipped to '52 to ROSCOE', on every route it served, mostly the 12 Roosevelt. Before Kedzie traded its last 6000s to 103rd, there was one that always seemed to have a destination sign stuck on '151 SHERIDAN' or '151 BELMONT/'.

[cta5658]

During the first couple of weeks of last month, I would see 5652 with its destination sign stuck on '52 KEDZIE/CALIF', which then flipped to '52 to ROSCOE', on every route it served, mostly the 12 Roosevelt. Before Kedzie traded its last 6000s to 103rd, there was one that always seemed to have a destination sign stuck on '151 SHERIDAN' or '151 BELMONT/'.

did u know that #6007's rear sign is stuck at "52"

[jajuan]

I also remember there was a TMC at Kedzie where on the front destination sign the number was stuck on 151 but the route name could be changed for when it served other routes. So you might see it display '151 ROOSEVELT' or '151 KIMBAL/HOMAN' when assigned to either of those routes.

[Zol87]

I once saw a #8 Halsted bus with a frozen sign saying "9 Irvland" near Halsted and Fullerton.

[BUSANGEL#1]

There's a two posessed TMC's at 103rd. One flips to #203 on the destinaton flip-103 W 103RD, flip-203 to Pulaski. It does this on all 103 routes. Then another one doubles the route number next to the bold one-119119 Mich/119 or 111111 Pullman/115.

[Busjack]

Then another one doubles the route number next to the bold one-119119 Mich/119 or 111111 Pullman/115.

Maybe it used to be at Forest Glen. There used to be one there that had 80 in the big box, and then 80 Irving Park in the main part of the headsign, resulting in 80 80 Irving Park

[jajuan]

Maybe it used to be at Forest Glen. There used to be one there that had 80 in the big box, and then 80 Irving Park in the main part of the headsign, resulting in 80 80 Irving Park

It's possible one of them is one that transitioned to Kedzie for a while before transferring to 103rd. There was one that did the same at Kedzie shortly after Forest Glen switched its 4400s to Kedzie.

[cta_44499_FG]

Maybe it used to be at Forest Glen. There used to be one there that had 80 in the big box, and then 80 Irving Park in the main part of the headsign, resulting in 80 80 Irving Park

what number was that bus? because i remember it too at NP...

151 151 SHERIDAN /// 151 151CLARK/DEVON

201 201CENTRAL/RIDGE /// 201 201HOWA/REDLINE

I've also seen one do this...

201 CENTRAL RIDGE

202 to OLD ORCHARD

[rmadisonwi]

Maybe it used to be at Forest Glen. There used to be one there that had 80 in the big box, and then 80 Irving Park in the main part of the headsign, resulting in 80 80 Irving Park

I've seen a few of those. It even happens to other systems as well: http://neopas.fotopic.net/p47700841.html

In the above example, that bus has a Luminator destination sign, whereas CTA's TMC buses have Vultrons, so the problem isn't necessarily specific to one type of sign either.

[BUSANGEL#1]

There are a lot of frozen flyers out there due to incompatibility with clever devices and CTA software. Most of the malfunctioning occurs at the end of the route when the sign is programmed to switch destinations the whole system freezes and operators then must manually change the sign using the destination code or turn the bus off and on. On 6000s that option is not there because their installation was different and when clever devices was installed the original code box was replaced so now a lot of 6000s are having paper signs.

[cta_44499_FG]

the manual sign changing option does not exist on any of the fleets except the 4400 TMC RTS and 5300 series Flxible Metro busses

As for the 7500 NABI series and 500 Optima series, the NABIs have a Luminator key pad next to CleverDevices and the Optimas have it under the sign compartment door. These work given that the CleverDevices AVL screen in inoperable or out completely.

[Busjack]

the manual sign changing option does not exist on any of the fleets except the 4400 TMC RTS and 5300 series Flxible Metro busses

As for the 7500 NABI series and 500 Optima series, the NABIs have a Luminator key pad next to CleverDevices and the Optimas have it under the sign compartment door. These work given that the CleverDevices AVL screen in inoperable or out completely.

Thanks for your analysis. My question is that if you have a frozen sign on the latter, is it because the AVL doesn't work, or the AVL sends the correct "message" to the Luminator sign controller, but the sign itself is frozen or the sign controller is broken?

[rmadisonwi]

Thanks for your analysis. My question is that if you have a frozen sign on the latter, is it because the AVL doesn't work, or the AVL sends the correct "message" to the Luminator sign controller, but the sign itself is frozen or the sign controller is broken?

Could be any of the above.

The newest batch of New Flyers has been suffering from a Clever Devices problem, which has affected destination signs, stop announcements, data collection, etc. CD has been working at each of the garages to address that issue and get those buses fixed. Supposedly, they've developed a fix and have implemented such on most of the new fleets at 103rd and North Park. However, a few buses still are yet to be upgraded.

Some operators on the New Flyers have taken to opening the overhead panel and changing the sign using the code (the ODK for the Luminator sign is hidden underneath that panel, behind the Clever Devices controller).

I have also seen a few cases where the Clever Devices unit was working properly, but the destination sign itself had some problem. A few of Kedzie's artics seem to have the problem where half (usually the curbside half, with the route number and half of the destination text) the sign is frozen (or blank), and the other half works fine. A lot of the Flxible 6000s have frozen text on the side or rear destination signs, while the front works fine. I've also seen an increasing number of Novas with the green flip-dot signs (Twin Vision, I think) in which the rear route number is frozen on the incorrect number. Those cases would indicate a problem with the sign rather than the Clever Devices unit.

[cta_44499_FG]

Thanks for your analysis. My question is that if you have a frozen sign on the latter, is it because the AVL doesn't work, or the AVL sends the correct "message" to the Luminator sign controller, but the sign itself is frozen or the sign controller is broken?

the sign being frozen has nothing to do with the Clever Devices. As you may have noticed, you board some busses with a frozen or broken sign, yet the CD still is making stops annoucements and calling the destination out, etc. Thats a sign problem.

On the other hand, the AVL being out can also effect the sign even if it is working because of the fact that the run number is not able to be entered in order to control the sign, and tell it what to display. If the AVL is down, then pretty much nothing works right.

[cta_44499_FG]

Could be any of the above.

The newest batch of New Flyers has been suffering from a Clever Devices problem, which has affected destination signs, stop announcements, data collection, etc. CD has been working at each of the garages to address that issue and get those buses fixed. Supposedly, they've developed a fix and have implemented such on most of the new fleets at 103rd and North Park. However, a few buses still are yet to be upgraded.

Some operators on the New Flyers have taken to opening the overhead panel and changing the sign using the code (the ODK for the Luminator sign is hidden underneath that panel, behind the Clever Devices controller).

I have also seen a few cases where the Clever Devices unit was working properly, but the destination sign itself had some problem. A few of Kedzie's artics seem to have the problem where half (usually the curbside half, with the route number and half of the destination text) the sign is frozen (or blank), and the other half works fine. A lot of the Flxible 6000s have frozen text on the side or rear destination signs, while the front works fine. I've also seen an increasing number of Novas with the green flip-dot signs (Twin Vision, I think) in which the rear route number is frozen on the incorrect number. Those cases would indicate a problem with the sign rather than the Clever Devices unit.

6627 had "CTA" frozen on the rear of it yesterday. I've also noticed a lot of the Nova's with the flip-dot signs would flip correctly on the front (eg" 62 ARCHER// 62 to PERSHING". But the side one would simply stay as "62 ARCHER"

any reasoning for this?

[rmadisonwi]

6627 had "CTA" frozen on the rear of it yesterday. I've also noticed a lot of the Nova's with the flip-dot signs would flip correctly on the front (eg" 62 ARCHER// 62 to PERSHING". But the side one would simply stay as "62 ARCHER"

any reasoning for this?

I *think* some codes are programmed to only show the route name on the side. I've noticed that on lots of Novas with the flip-dot signs, where the side sign never changes from the route name.

If it were up to me, I'd actually do it the opposite, where the side sign would only show the destination (especially for short-turns). That way, someone just running up to the bus, who may have missed the door announcement, and perhaps hasn't had the chance to see the full destination sign in front, would perhaps notice that the bus isn't going all the way to the end of the route.

[Busjack]

I *think* some codes are programmed to only show the route name on the side. I've noticed that on lots of Novas with the flip-dot signs, where the side sign never changes from the route name.

That would violate ADA regulations (see post 6146). It is probably a better inference that the side sign is stuck.

Since we are talking about Novas, I'm sure the numerous side signs with triangles (especially when the buses were new, 5 or 6 years ago) were not intentionally programmed in that manner.

[qwantae]

Today, i've spotted #6282 at Ashland/ Orange Line Station working #X9 Ashland Exp. Northbound. But theres an Error:

"9 Ashland Exp."

"9 To Irving Park"

"Red Line Station"

"Via Yellow Line" (Error)

Why is Yellow Line on there? Actually I was on Yellow Line 2 days ago, its a good ride!!

[Busjack]

Why is Yellow Line on there? Actually I was on Yellow Line 2 days ago, its a good ride!!

Some bus driver on Yahoo Groups once posted a portion of the destination sign code sheet. While I believe that part was for North Park, the one thing that would be consistent for the system is that the "via Yellow Line" and the like are programmed as public service signs, and are in addition to the normal destination sign (such as the MY KIND OF TOWN, CHICAGO IS or GO BEARS signs). I believe that that driver also explained how the driver can program the public service sign into the Clever Devices login. If the sign controller panel is still accessible, there is a button for entering that sign's code.

Having a Yellow Line sign is a bit weird, but it might be applicable to 54A and 97. I remember seeing a 147 also saying VIA PURPLE LINE, but that could have made sense, considering that the route ends at Howard.

[Danielsmusic]

My favorite sign ever was actually a paper sign placed on a few Kedzie NABIs for the 156:

165 LAsALLE

Belmont TO Halsted

VA orange

I don't know if it was a prank (it was around April). Maybe somebody who wasn't mentally qualified to print signs was allowed access to a computer. Anyway, I wish I had gotten a picture, but I saw these signs a few months before I got a phone with a camera.

[jajuan]

I spotted 7672 northbound on the 52 not too long ago. It's front destination sign is malfunctioning with it displaying '52 TO REDZIE/CALIF' and then flips to '52 TO ROSCOE'. Actually the left half of the destination sign is stuck on the '52 TO ROSCOE' flip and only displaying to half the 'R' in Roscoe.

Also I spotted an unknown NOVA (couldn't see the bus number from the seat I was sitting on the 12) southbound on the 94 S. California. The front destination sign is working properly displaying '94 S CALIFORNIA' and the flip to '94 to 71st'. But the side destination sign is stuck displaying '53A S PULASKI' with the flip to '53A to 31st'.

[jajuan]

Spotted 1210 on the 124 Navy Pier this morning with the destination sign stuck on '7 HARRISON' flip '7 TO MICHIGAN' with a paper sign on the front windshield indicating it was a 124.

[cta5300]

i saw last week a Nova out of Archer on Damen and its sign was stuck to Not In Service and run time A999