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Bucharest, RATB

At the end of June, the thousandth bus was delivered to the Mayer of Bucharest, Dr. Sorin Oprescu, by the Mercedes CEO Harald Landmann.
 
Driver's area with displaysAll these 1 000 Mercedes buses have vehicle equipment developed and delivered by Thoreb. In the vehicles, two 10.4” displays are installed together just above the driver’s visual line. This means that the driver can see the displayed information without taking his attention from the traffic. The vehicle computer ”Thoreb C90++” provides driver guidance along the route on a map on the left display. The map is automatically rotating to always display the actual driving direction as straight ahead. The right display (Thoreb T-video) displays one or up to four camera images. Which camera image to display can be automatically controlled by the system based on signals from the multiplex electrical system, e.g. rear-view image is displayed when the reverse gear is active, and the internal and external door camera images are displayed when the doors are open. Up to 48 hours of information from up to eight cameras can be stored on a video recorder.
 
The DV19 passenger information displayInside the buses there is a 19” TFT display showing passenger information, such as a map where the route is outlined when the bus is leaving a stop, or connecting routes at the next stop, advertising etc. If there is time between the stops, advertising and information about different landmarks (museums, etc.) can also be displayed. The display is controlled by the “Thoreb DV19” unit, which also controls audible announcements of next stop names. When the bus is approaching a stop, the map will get zoomed in. The bus is displayed as it moves along the outlined route. In addition, important places to visit will be highlighted together with their street names. The traffic management can send real-time messages to the display. This feature can be useful, for instance if there should be an accident, or something else forcing the bus to take a different path.
 
Statistics data is currently generated in the vehicle computer ”Thoreb C90++” and is transferred via WLAN when the bus is at a depot. The statistics system provides information about fuel consumption, the number of “kick downs”, speed violations, etc. The system can also be used for traffic planning, for calculating the driver’s salary, etc. Since the electrical system constantly reports its status, it is possible to display warnings and status information for the driver, such as fuel level, temperatures, pressures, etc. When a predefined value is exceeded for important bus attributes, a pop-up window that the driver has to acknowledge will appear in the middle of the screen. The system delivered to RATB in Bucharest, has proven to result in a number of benefits for the customer and Thoreb is looking forward to a long and fruitful co-operation, to develop even more useful functionality in the near future.
 

Skånetrafiken, the public traffic authority in the Skåne county in Sweden

During the summer 2009, Skånetrafiken approved the delivery of about 650 vehicle equipments and the other supporting parts of the system. At the same time they ordered an additional 200 vehicle systems for delivery during the autumn 2009. When the installation of the final 200 buses is completed, all buses in the region will have a Thoreb system installed.
 
The vehicle system provides the driver with information about schedule adherence, sign settings and can display messages from the traffic management system. Traffic managers can also send messages that should be displayed to the passengers on internal signs. The vehicle computer controls external and internal signs as well as automatic announcements on both internal and external loudspeakers. Pre-defined text messages can also be sent by the driver to the traffic managers.
 
An alarm button is connected to the vehicle computer. When the driver presses the button twice, an alarm message is sent to the central system and actions can be taken. The driver will thereafter get a confirmation message on the vehicle computer display.
 
Traveller bus stop displaySince all vehicles continuously report their position, schedule adherence, etc, to the central system, different subscribers, such as Internet applications, mobile phones, and bus stop displays can use the information and present it to travellers. The traffic managers can also send messages that are displayed on the bus stop displays.
 
Thoreb has also delivered a number of traffic light priority nodes, which enable the buses to get priority when getting close to a crossing. The vehicle computer decides when to ask for priority, based on position and schedule adherence.
 
The radio communication in Skåne takes place both via the Mobitex radio system and by Thoreb’s IT-radio system.
 

Tallinn, TTA

Recently, Thoreb had the final project meeting with our customers in Tallinn. This part of the project includes 450 of 650 public transport vehicles in Tallinn. The vehicle equipment has been installed in 57 light rail vehicles, 91 trolleys and the remaining ones in buses.
 
 
Tallinn busThe vehicles have a C90plus vehicle computer, radio modem, internal and external displays, as well as amplifiers and speakers for audible announcements (for example the name of the next stop). Furthermore, the ticket vending machines in the vehicles get their time and date from the vehicle computer. The vehicles can get priority at 31 traffic lights which ensure an even traffic flow. This in turn results in reduced emissions and fuel cost.
 
The vehicles can be studied on the traffic management application IT-radio TM. Since there are several traffic operators driving the same routes in Tallinn, these are separated from each other by different colours. It is also possible to set different user profiles. For instance it is possible to prevent the different operators from seeing each other’s vehicles.
 
By collecting statistics from the vehicles regarding driving times and schedule adherence, etc. the customer will get useful information to improve their traffic service even more.
 
The project has been financed by EU and Tallinn Transpordiamet (Tallinn Department of Transportation). These parts are planning one additional stage. The rest of the fleet will be equipped, several traffic lights will be able to prioritize public transport and important stops will get information displays installed. In addition, travellers will be able to get real-time information about departures on the Internet and via their mobile phones.
 
To sum up, Tallinna Transpordiamet is aiming at getting a public transport system that will attract even more travellers than there are today. Investment in new and more vehicles is planned as well as in the new technology. Of cause Thoreb is hoping to also be a part in this exciting future that is on the horizon!