Supporting Coach & Bus UK 2017 In partnership with technology exhibitors Inside... Issue 38 Autumn 2017 In partnership with Innovations It’s good to be open Reading’s workshop // goes ‘Freeway’ mobile Industry News Reading Buses has improved functions, including routine completion first time, but its vehicle maintenance maintenance, inspections, better quality data.” operations with a mobile defects, stock control and Reading Buses plans to roll system to replace job cards order management. out Freeway apps to replace and inspection reports in the “It wasn’t until we started paperwork throughout the workshop. using Freeway’s mobile apps maintenance operation, with Using Samsung tablets that we realised how much staff using tablets to record connected to a Freeway they would help,” says Phil scheduled maintenance, fleet maintenance system, Herlingshaw, Engineering inspections, defects and mobile apps allow Reading’s Manager at Reading Buses. cleaning. Technology continues to move technicians to replace “Previously, we often Because the mobile apps are at an almost incredible pace. paperwork with easy-to-use struggled to read everyone’s seamlessly integrated with the Vamooz, the crowd-sourcing electronic forms. handwriting, and when things central Freeway system, the day trip app from Transdev The system saves time, were missing – such as a tyre tablets can provide access to Blazefield as mentioned in improves accuracy and tread depth – we’d have to all information relating to a the last issue of Innovations, completeness of reporting, track back and get the job vehicle. is now also being used by boosts efficiency, and completed. For any job card, the Reading Buses – and who’s to simplifies fleet management. “With the app, reports maintenance history can be say it will stop there? Reading Buses already cannot be sent without all instantly viewed. But while big exciting, relies on Freeway’s software fields being completed first. colourful projects like that will to automate a full range And without transcription n Stand B11 continue to grab headlines, of maintenance-related issues, we have not only 100% n freewayfleet.com more subtle technologies can change all our lives in a big way, and it’s important to be aware of them. ‘Big data’ and ‘open data’ are common enough terms Alfatronix Safe and these days, even if they’re Face-blurring CCTV tool not commonly understood. secure key The former usually refers to gives saves operators time and cost extremely large data sets, management which can be analysed to National Timespace Technology has “Enabling operators/CCTV use in investigations and reveal patterns and trends; developed a built-in blurring managers to carry out in- claims.” the latter to data that can Express tool to enable operators to house object blurring will PCLink is compatible with be shared across many carry out in-house face/object save time when responding Timespace’s entire range developers for them to create blurring on CCTV footage, to footage requests. Fleet of Digital Video Recorders apps and other software. the avoiding the need to use third- managers will be able to retain (DVRs), and the blurring tool is An example is the Traveline party specialists. complete control of sensitive supported for the X200, X300, National Data Set – all the power The new blurring tool is footage, and will eliminate V400 and V500 DVRs. data from bus operators’ included in the free upgrade of the additional cost of using registered bus services, used British power supply PCLink version 8.0, Timespace specialists when producing n Stand H41 by a vast number of passenger manufacturer Alfatronix and Technology’s software for high-quality final images for n tspace.co.uk apps you can download for National Express have worked vehicle CCTV footage bus services around the together for over 15 years to playback and review. CCKeys believes in quality, country. provide power for equipment Face/object blurring not quantity, and that’s why, Without that data being on board the 600-strong fleet is often required it says, it has been producing freely available to developers, of coaches. when operators are one of the most advanced the passenger information In a new initiative, the two responding to footage safe and secure key and asset ‘scene’ would be all the organisations have joined requests from police, management solutions on the poorer. forces to provide a voltage and using third- market since 1983. Just think of London, where conversion to take the 24vdc parties to carry out The solution incorporates dozens of very good bus from the vehicle electrical the blurring can add several access levels, through travel apps, with route and system to provide the 9vdc time and cost. The combination lock, PIN, timetable information, are power for the new part- new tool allows users swipe card, biometrics and available to the public. contactless payment system. to blur single or breathalyser. The best way to keep In addition, the coach multiple objects on Employing the latest up to date with changing operator has installed a low- on the move. Alfatronix manufactures USB an image or section developments in technology, technology is to see it in voltage disconnect device To give customers a greater chargers, voltage converters, of footage. the systems are completely action, talk to the developers manufactured by Alfatronix travelling experience, National power supplies, battery Users can also bespoke and manufactured and listen to the experts. to protect the vehicle battery Express is now in the process chargers, solid state battery choose the type of to the client’s needs and Coach & Bus UK is open when downloading data for the of trialling the Alfatronix USB guards and more for the UK blurring and the specifications. They are user- to you: Just go online and new Vuer infotainment system chargers at both Stanstead transport sector. It prides itself characteristics of the friendly and have a complete register. at various garages. and Heathrow airports, to offer on its flexible working. final image. Peter audit trail. This permits passengers passengers 5vdc on-board Barker, Timespace’s Jessamy Chapman to view films and TV, read charging for all iPhones and n Stand A20 Technical Support n Stand D31 Innovations Editor magazines, and use wi-fi while tablets. n alfatronix.com Manager, says: n cckeys.co.uk 2 innovations // XXX Innovations // Autumn 2017 3 In partnership with Innovations Parkeon helps operators transform New displays for customer relationships with technology // Industry News Industry News // Chester interchange Over the next few years, will enable operators to connect personalised information to ticketing and smart device fare technology will transform with passengers as never people in real time which, when collection, while taking account 21st Century Technology has the relationship between bus before. coupled with customer-centric of existing standards such as designed and manufactured operators and their customers, Today, the most visible retail systems, will make multi- ITSO. display units for the new according to leading public expression of the digital era modal travel easier than ever This is particularly powerful Chester Bus Interchange, all transport systems provider is the increasing adoption before,” says Mr Trimnell. when coupled to Parkeon’s Innovations with new features to benefit Parkeon. of contactless EMV payment A key innovation for Parkeon new PrismAnalytics platform, passengers and the station The company is currently systems, as recently rolled out customers looking at the which enables operators to operator, Cheshire West and helping operators of every by Parkeon for Arriva Bus and concept of ‘mobility as a capture performance data Chester Council. size to embrace the digital for Lothian Buses Airlink Service service’ is CloudFare. from a myriad of sources in a The new features include a era, through retail systems, in Edinburgh, but there is much This is a cloud-based ‘visual’ presentation to spot fire alarm interface which links real-time information and data more to come. platform that enables operators trends, address issues and see with the fire safety system analytics. “Our future-proof of every size to move easily the potential for new revenue and automatically displays the However, according to Gavin technologies will help transport from cash and commercial streams. nearest exit routes when an Trimnell, Head of Sales & operators deliver the vision smart card transactions to EMV alarm is triggered. Marketing at Parkeon, this is of ‘frictionless’ travel for contactless, mobile payments, n Stand C4 The bay displays also just the start of a journey that their passengers, delivering m-ticketing, account-based n parkeon.co.uk include a stand charging module, which takes data from scheduled and real- time information and creates an automatic report for attendance charging for operators, saving hours of manual record-keeping and report production. All the displays are connected to 21st Century’s content management system, allowing Chester to design templates and control the layouts of the information displayed on the screens. 21st Century is supplying nine above-bay and four column-mounted rugged TFT displays, plus a summary rugged TFT display, all with RNIB REACT fob technology. The contract also includes an interactive touchscreen journey planner. All the displays have ambient light control sensors to adjust to different light Big data is coming: Add m-tickets to your conditions and a sleep feature to save power when not in use. Help for operators existing apps The displays also include pixel sensors that alert the Omnibus has developed tools Systems are in place to Masabi’s JustRide Software and deliver visual and barcode 21st Century service team if to help operators to manage allow operators to meet these Development Kit (JustRide tickets to a passenger through the display ever develops a data and use it to improve obligations, and current big SDK) has been deployed on bus the ticket wallet.