Technology: It’s advancing at a rapid rate, and there seem to be new technological advancements made, especially in the coach and bus industry, almost every month.
Making appropriate investments in technology can have huge benefits to an operation, from improving safety of both drivers and passengers, to enhancing passenger experience, and refining driving standards.
One technology solutions provider that has established a clear path to enabling the best use of technology for operators is Ashby-based 21st Century.
For operators
With over 20 years' experience in on-vehicle technology, 21st Century has the knowledge surrounding the technological needs for fleets and passengers.
It offers a range of products and services including CCTV systems, integrated solutions, passenger wi-fi and Automatic Passenger Counting (APC) to just name a few; all of which can have huge benefits on an operation.
CCTV can protect passengers, staff and assets – as well as acting as a deterrent to vandals. With the option for cloud-enabled systems, it ensures operators have secure and instant access to CCTV footage, and the encryption falls inline with GDPR regulations.
Passenger wi-fi can improve the customer experience and will encourage more passengers to board. And passenger counting hosts a range of benefits, such as providing operators with up-to-the-minute occupancy data, and provides a raft of reporting options to match their needs.
21st Century also provides maintenance and support, with a nationwide network of engineers, a dedicated support centre and in-house technical team, it has the capacity to maintain and support a wide range of on-board technology.
For passengers, the company offers technology to improve and enhance the service they receive.
Smart ticketing can make the journey more simple and easier; real-time passenger information can ensure a passenger they can arrange they journey more effectively; and with mobile passenger information 21st Century can push a departure board for the passengers' stop directly to their internet-enabled smartphone.
‘Minimise capital investments’
Russ Singleton, Chief Executive, explains how the company develops solutions for operators that minimise capital investments and add value to their offering
“A key thing for us is to provide software that enables technology – allowing operators to do more with the technology they already have,” he says.
“It’s all about making connected systems for connected journeys,” adds Mark Johnson, Director of Fleet Systems.
21st Century’s aim is to create transport ready for smarter cities.
Mark says: “The transport system needs reliable kit on it and making sure that it is working 100% of the time, and that’s done through field service we supply – it’s really important to have reliable field service – and by making sure everything is remotely monitored.”
Being ‘smart’
A smarter city needs 100% of the vehicles working, it’s not a smart city if you only have 80% of the vehicles working, Mark says.
How can smart cities help a service? It’s all about going back to ‘connected systems for connected journeys’.
Look at the passenger-side of 21st Century, with its real-time information. That information goes through its network and gets distributed to signs on the buses and in shelters, either through its data broking service or the sign Content Management System. That connection is made for a connected journey.
“It’s about trying to touch the whole journey, from before the passenger boards through information to their phones, to when they board the vehicle through real-time information and protecting them through the CCTV systems we provide, down to when they arrive at their destination – walking up to the street displays mounted in the pavements that tell you where to go, helping with their onward journey,” says Mark.
“The only way to do that is to build these systems through open architecture, making sure they’re leading-edge, recognising operators are facing challenges from new modes of transport.
“We’re now working with our customers and building smarter systems, but trying to keep the total cost of ownership down.”
SmartVision
21st Century is the exclusive UK distributor for the SmartVision Camera Monitoring System (CMS) that replaces traditional wing mirrors.
Mark explains that the vehicles are fitted with rugged enclosures that each contain two HD cameras showing a Class 2 (standard) and Class 4 (wide angle) view on driver screens that are mounted internally within the cab area.
Currently, the vehicles that are fitted with the systems are ADL’s Enviro200 and Enviro400, however, Mark anticipates more manufacturers will embrace the new ‘mirrors’.
21st Century says that the CMS not only removes the lateral blind spots, it also automatically adjusts to reduce glare and improve visibility at night and in wet conditions. The cameras also refocus to adapt to rain drops or dirt on the lenses and an optional camera heater keeps them clear of ice or fogging.
The CMS reduces drag and even improves fuel efficiency, 21st Century explains. More importantly, the system greatly reduces the risk of collisions.
SmartVision is currently installed on vehicles in First Glasgow and Trentbarton’s fleet.
Tom Morgan, Trentbarton’s Director of Service Delivery, says: “What has impressed us the most is the definition and clarity of the image seen through the monitors. We have had great reviews from our team and even the most sceptical have been won over once they have seen the product in action.
“It seems obvious that this sort of technology will become more and more beneficial to our driving teams in the future, and Trentbarton is pleased to be involved in perfecting this technology.”
