Sponsored content: The future of the Modern Bus

 

Information Technology for Public Transport. The architecture developed in the European Bus System of the Future project has paved the way to cost effective deployment of digital systems onboard Public Transport vehicles and for back-office applications, securing an open environment.

 

Onboard connectivity

Central to the ITxPT success, is the Mobile Interface to the Internet, such as the Fältcom Mobile Interface IP Server (MIIPS). The MIIPS is an Internet of Things (IoT) platform that provides connectivity to multiple devices, via a small onboard unit, with a single SIM Card. The major advantage is the MIIPS unit’s ability to combine the masses of data transmitted from the vehicle to an integrated suite of Public Transport Applications (Apps), which provides vital online information, viewed anywhere at any-time, with automated reports, live-feeds, instant alerts, on informative dash-boards.

Forward thinking operators seeking to monitor their assets (Buses), and manage their resources (Drivers) remotely, saving them time and vastly reducing costs, are taking advantage of the many benefits of Smart connected technology via the Fältcom Platform and the integrated Apps according to their specific demands.

 

Every operator should already have GPS vehicle tracking, albeit separate from other devices. The foundation of the Fältcom MIIPS Portfolio is a highly accurate GPS/AVL Tracking Service.  A detailed map-view indicates precise vehicle location, pulsed every second to ensure pin-point accuracy. In addition, information such as Vehicle ID, speed, direction, & colour-coded status, can also be displayed, together with accurate real-time passenger load.

 

Local authorities are demanding more data from Operators, such as passenger load information. The Fältcom Automatic Passenger Counting (APC) Service, transmits accurate Passenger Load with Bus Stop ON/OFF Reports, to help optimize routes & fine-tune resources. Traffic management can follow the occupancy on selected routes over time to improve planning of routes and resources to avoid crowded buses at peak hours.

 

 

Why wait for your buses to return to the depot to retrieve valuable CCTV images? The Fältcom MIIPS Platform provides live-viewing, with CCTV down-load on request, to save time & resources.  Should an incident or accident occur, the CCTV imagery recorded on the on-board device can be viewed instantly, helping to deal with the situation immediately, “in minutes, not days”. CCTV imagery can be complimented with Telematics Data, such as; Signals, Brakes, Reverse, Doors-open, etc. to further support any insurance claims, with concise evidence.

 

Alerted by a Driver Alarm button, traffic controllers can connect directly to the bus to see real time CCTV to monitor the situation as the incident develops. Controllers can listen in with the Driver through the established audio communication. Instantly you can evaluate the situation and assist the SOS emergency services with ongoing real-time information.

 

Halton Transport has used Fältcom CCTV Surveillance for many years and are very pleased with the system. Colin Stafford, MD at Halton Transport explains; ”We feel confident that when CCTV footage is required it will be available instantly and that the quality will be first class. The benefit of this is that if we are at fault we can make early intervention, or if we are not we have strong support to defend.” He continues, “We have found the Fältcom system to be extremely reliable with very little downtime. The system self-reports live and we can detect faults early and get them repaired quickly, however the reliability of the system has been such that our costs in this area have greatly reduced.”   Read more about the Halton Transport solution.

 

Low-cost communications, such as Message-Push and VoIP allows Controllers two-way communication with individual Drivers, groups of Buses on a specific route, or the entire Fleet, to keep them informed of any congestion, accidents and/or diversions.

 

Another popular option is to provide free high-speed Passenger WiFi Services. WiFi on Public Transport is almost a matter of course in today’s connected society, offering the service to check-out latest news, social media or YouTube. Coupled with onboard Infotainment content helps to reduce passenger data consumption & operator costs, with Realtime Passenger Information (RTPI), Traffic Reports & Entertainment, together with “live” Breaking News streamed to each vehicle.

 

Failure to deliver a Bus Service can prove costly, especially when a Bus unexpectedly breaks-down. Passengers complain, replacement vehicles may not be available, and Authorities may impose hefty fines. With Fältcom’s help you can use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to monitor the entire fleet to predict and prevent breakdowns, e.g sensing vehicle pressures, levels, temperatures, etc. sending maintenance notifications to alert Engineering of any vehicle that may develop a fault and require attention.

 

Good Driver Behaviour can save massive amounts of fuel “over-consumption”, and can reduce wear & tear of your vehicles, with a smoother ride providing a safer & more comfortable ride. With our Eco-Driving App, drivers are encouraged to adjust their driving styles to avoid harsh breaking, rapid acceleration, fast cornering, idling, etc. via a dash-mounted screen displaying their style in a Red, Amber or Green status. One of Fältcoms’ major customers Nobina AB, who operate a fleet of 3,800 Buses (connected to 70 Trains) have reduced their fleet fuel consumption by over 12%, recuperating their entire fleet IT costs in a matter of months. Adopting better Driver styles is also good for the environment, helping to reduce harmful emissions, CO2 and dangerous brake dust particles, which are good for the planet, and for the future generations of our Bus Drivers.

 

In summary, the Fältcom MIIPS Platform continues to develop a connected eco-system, to save Public Transport Authorities and Bus Operators time & money, to provide a safer quality Bus service for your passengers, one which is measured & monitored remotely to be compliant & reliable.
For more information about our Connected Public Transport Platform and web-based fleet management applications, please contact our UK Country Manager Neil McArthur at our Cambridge office. We will also be present at the Euro Bus Expo 2018 in stand T84. We hope to see you there!

 

Fältcom UK – 1010 Cambourne Business Park, Cambridge CB23 6DP   Tel: 01223 597944 www.faltcom.com