KEEPING INFORMED

This article reports on how information technology can provide bus passengers with information about route details. The network maps and bus timetables, traditionally provided by bus operators, are being superseded by new methods of communication. These methods are especially interesting to those marketing public transport services, because bus network and timetable structures are complicated and frequently changing. Regular passengers must be provided with specific schedule information, to ensure that they know where to access the network and how to use it. Operational or real-time information is provided to inform passengers, to reduce waiting times, and to improve users' confidence in the service. Lack of comprehensive information on fares and services has perhaps been the largest failure in a deregulated environment. Information technology makes it possible to provide information at homes and workplaces, via videotex, as well as at termini and bus stops. Automatic information dispensers can be provided in streets and public places as stand-alone street furniture. Automatic vehicle location systems are needed to provide information about the positions of buses at specific times. Trials of transport information systems have been made in France, Germany, Canada, the USA, and Japan. (Author/TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00396303
• Corporate Authors:

  Reed Business Information, Limited

  Quadrant House, The Quadrant
  Brighton Road
  Sutton, Surrey  United Kingdom  SM2 5AS
• Authors:
  • TARRY, S
• Publication Date: 1990-8-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 17-9
• Serial:
  • SURVEYOR
  • Volume: 174
  • Issue Number: 5107
  • Publisher: Hemming Group, Limited
  • ISSN: 0039-6303

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Advanced vehicle control systems; Automatic vehicle location; Bus drivers; Bus routes; California bearing ratio; Communication systems; Communications; Information systems; Level of service; Public transit; Publicity; Real time control; Real time data processing; Timetables
• Old TRIS Terms: Automatic vehicle control
• ITRD Terms: 3882: Automatic; 1272: Bus; 9098: Communication; 9061: Location; 744: Public transport; 8573: Publicity; 8679: Real time; 1186: Timetable; 1255: Vehicle
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00623796
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 31 1992 12:00AM