The Poly Trolley food truck has won an award for its innovative use of technology that speeds up food preparation and delivery to diners.

The National Association of College Auxiliary Services chose the Poly Trolley for its 2014 Innovative Use of Technology Award. NACAS is the largest organization of auxiliary services serving higher education.

The Cal Poly Pomona Foundation Inc., the nonprofit auxiliary organization that operates the Poly Trolley, entered the food truck in the competition by submitting an essay, photographs and a short documentary video showing the technology that is installed.

The Poly Trolley technology includes:

• An onboard Global Positioning System with web link for real-time tracking for customers. The GPS transmits the truck's location every 30 minutes, allowing customers to pinpoint its location on www.polytrolley.com.
• Kitchen display systems that provide workers with clear guidance when preparing orders, improving meal preparation and service times, and eliminating paper waste and printing costs.
• A wireless point-of-sale tablet that allows a cashier to walk down a line of customers, take orders and submit them via Bluetooth to the kitchen display systems.
• A private cellular network that meets Payment Card Industry standards for credit card processing and also provides free Internet access for customers.
• A backup camera to safely maneuver the truck.

NACAS will present the award to foundation executives at its 46^th annual conference on Oct. 5 in Montreal, Canada.

It's the second award that the Poly Trolley has earned this summer. In July, the truck took first place in the National Association of College and University Food Services' awards in the "Retail Sales-Single Concept" category.