To: Chief who wrote (1009 ) 11/30/1999 5:14:00 PM From: edde Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 1108
Orbital Awarded $30 Million Transportation Management Systems Contract Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority Selects Company's Satellite-Based System to Manage Fleet of Over 1,600 Vehicles DULLES, Va., Nov. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that its Transportation Management Systems (TMS) Division was awarded a $30 million contract by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) to supply a fully-integrated, satellite-aided dispatch system to help manage and control a fleet of 1,627 buses, light rail, maintenance and supervisory vehicles. Orbital's state-of-the-art Computer Aided Radio Dispatch system (CARD) uses a combination of satellite-based vehicle positioning technology through the U.S. Government's Global Positioning System (GPS), and wireless, terrestrial-based communications capabilities. The CARD system will allow SEPTA to enhance its real-time fleet communications, improve its operational performance and efficiency, and help ensure the safety of its passengers and vehicle operators. The $30 million contract announced today extends Orbital's relationship with SEPTA, which began in 1995 under a previous contract covering 400 vehicles. Orbital TMS has already provided SEPTA with a satellite-based system that automatically announces stops along transit bus routes using both visual and audible alerts. Mr. John K. Leary, Jr., General Manager of SEPTA, said, "This comprehensive CARD system will take SEPTA well into the next century as a progressive technology leader in public transportation management. I look forward to continuing and growing our relationship with Orbital's TMS group." The Orbital TMS CARD system includes a powerful new data mining and reporting capability for assessing fleet performance and providing quantitative data to support future fleet operational improvements. The system also offers an open architecture, with open standards, enabling SEPTA to add to and update the system quickly and efficiently, which will allow them to incorporate even more advanced technologies that may become available in the future. "Orbital TMS is excited to be continuing our partnership with SEPTA. We have assembled an experienced, proven team, ensuring a successful implementation," said Mr. David L. Mathisen, Vice President and General Manager of Orbital's TMS Division. "Our significant previous experience with fleets of this size in urban areas around the country uniquely positions Orbital as the most qualified contractor for the job." Orbital's TMS Division is the country's leading supplier of satellite- based automatic vehicle location systems, generating annual revenues in excess of $50 million and employing over 200 people at facilities in Germantown and Linthicum, Maryland and State College, Pennsylvania. The company's TMS business has experienced rapid growth over the past several years as a result of new contract wins and the acquisitions of Raytheon Company's transportation management business and Harris Corporation's FleetLynx product line. Orbital TMS systems are used in some of the country's largest metropolitan areas, including New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Houston and Denver. Orbital is one of the largest space technology and satellite services companies in the world, with 1999 revenues targeted to exceed $900 million. The company, which is headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, employs over 5,200 people at its major facilities in the United States, Canada and several overseas locations. Orbital is the world's leading manufacturer of low-cost space systems and products, including satellites, launch vehicles, electronics and sensors, satellite ground systems and software, and satellite-based navigation and communications products. Through its ORBCOMM and ORBIMAGE affiliates and ORBNAV subsidiary, Orbital is also a pioneering operator of satellite-based networks that provide data communications, high-resolution imagery and automotive information services to customers all around the world. SOURCE: Orbital Sciences Corporation CONTACT: Barron Beneski of Orbital Sciences Corporation, 703-406-5000 Antennas will probably be supplied by ITKG.????????????