Michael Haynes
Manager Transit Systems Support (IT)
Chicago Transit Authority
- One word to describe yourself: Passionate
- Alma Mater: Lafayette College and University of Texas at Austin
- Favorite book: "The Catcher in the Rye"
- Favorite TV show: "Suits"
- Favorite movie: "The Taking of Pelham 123" (both versions)
- Favorite hobby: White Sox games
- What is your favorite transit system and why: Transport for London, London, England. The sheer size is daunting and the history is fascinating.
Michael Haynes is one of the transit industry’s premier technologist with deep theoretical and practical knowledge of all aspects of passenger information systems including wireless communication technologies, GPS and GIS systems, on board vehicle power systems and rail signal systems. What really sets Haynes apart from his contemporaries is his passion for transit and skill at using technology to both improve service delivery and give customers the power of information.
Haynes was the key team member for the CTA's Bus Voice Annunciation System launched in 2004 and the Bus Tracker System launched in 2007/2008, where CTA became the first large transit agency in the country to provide real-time GPS bus arrival information on 100% of its routes. Haynes was the project manager on the installation of nearly 500 real-time bus location information signs connected by 4G LTE at CTA bus shelters throughout the city; the installation of GPS and Utility Rocket modems on each CTA bus supervisor vehicle to track their locations in real-time; and most important of all, the CTA’s new CAD/AVL (computer aided dispatch/automated vehicle location) system.
Haynes implemented CleverCAD, which is a state of the art Bus Transit Management System to replace CTA's 15 year old system in a matter of 12 months.
"As a kid I grew up in the far out suburbs of northern New Jersey, scared of escalators, elevator doors and New York City seemed daunting. In college I took a Mass Transit class and loved the concepts. While at the University of Texas, I finally found myself using a bus system daily. After a year in D.C. using the Metro and buses the deal was sealed and I made my way to the CTA."
Fun Fact: Haynes has ridden public transit on four continents, covering 10 countries.
