TOWARDS COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET: THE PTI WEBSITE

The paper describes the development of the 'UK Public Transport Information' web site (PTI), and puts this in the context of creating a fully comprehensive system. PTI is a map-based index of largely local or single-mode web sites providing public transport information. PTI covers all modes and all areas of the UK to different degrees of detail, and was initiated by the author in 1996. A major restructuring in conjunction with public transport cartographers FWT took place in 1998 and the redesign site was then launched by a UK Government Minister. As background, the UK institutional requirements for providing public transport information are discussed. The (relatively small) use of the Internet for providing public transport information in the UK prior to 1998 is then described. The paper discusses the government's White Paper on Integrated Transport, published in 1998, which placed great emphasis on the Internet for delivering public transport information, and favoured a 'federal' approach to provide a comprehensive system. Around this time, formal standards were also developed for PTI's content and presentation in conjunction with a recognised standardisation body. Use of PTI increased very significantly. The paper considers some of the issues involved in moving to a comprehensive 'federal' system on the Internet, e.g. the needs of the end-user, the development of databases, and their 'virtual integration'. It discusses how PTI is working with developments in operators' and authorities' web sites in order to deliver the comprehensive system required. Ongoing development of PTI up to June 1999 will include the provision of an A-Z Gazetteer. The paper concludes by pointing to the rapid increase in the number of local and regional web sites such that developments in PTI to September 1999 cannot yet be anticipated. For the covering abstract see ITRD E105101.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: References;
  • Pagination: p. 151-63

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00793740
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
  • ISBN: 0-86050-324-0
  • Files: ITRD
  • Created Date: Jun 15 2000 12:00AM