Göttingen: Integrated telematics and ticketing system

Getting ahead quickly and cost-effectively by using established standards

It is not necessary to reinvent the wheel in the process of digitalisation. Often it is more useful for companies to check which tried and tested solutions may be available. Not only are these more cost-effective than individual solutions but they minimise project risks, can be implemented considerably faster and are easier to maintain and support. They give even medium-sized public transport companies the perfect opportunity to use the advantages of digitalisation without straining their budget too much. A case in point: the Göttinger Verkehrsbetriebe (GöVB).

The implementation of an integrated ITCS, real-time passenger information and ticketing system took place within a short time. The project was completed on schedule and GöVB could keep to the budget. Therefore it is likely for them to rely on INIT for the next tasks as well. Project manager Dr. Jens Conrad is completely satis­fied: “The collaboration with INIT’s colleagues was really excellent and fun. I am very pleased how professionally and quickly our joint project was brought to a conclusion.”

Confidence in INIT solution

When configurating the Intermodal Transport Control System, GöVB chose from a comprehensive range of standard features that have been proven in daily operations in 130 customer installations world-wide. Therefore, GöVB can profit from experience that has been made in all these projects and can use functions that are ready for operation from the start. For the implemen­tation of fare management, a standard version of INIT’s fare management and clearing system MOBILEvario was chosen, including an interface to the cash deposit machine for cash accounting. So GöVB deliberately did without special solutions that require a lot of additional programming.

For the future, there is every option available to expand the system according to newly arising requirements. For example, the introduction of a MOBILEvario expansion is being considered in order to introduce e-ticketing – the ticket printers are already prepared. Thus, GöVB can progress with their proven practice of continuously advan­c­ing their system. For since 2011, they have been using INIT’s automatic passenger counting system MOBILE-APC. It will be implemented in additional vehicles. Another product from the INIT group that has been in use for a long time is the personnel assign­ment system, MOBILE-PERDIS. Within the framework of the current project an interface to the ITCS was implemented to allow for the exchange of important driver data.

Real-time passenger information and connection security

The change to INIT’s MOBILE-ITCS as well as to the dynamic passenger information system MOBILE-STOPinfo means that passengers can get information about departure times in real-time at stops and in the 92 buses. In order to achieve this, an interface to the existing passenger information displays was established. The exchange of real-time passenger information and connection protection data will even be possible beyond Göttingen’s boundaries – inside the public transport network VBN in Bremen and Lower Saxony by using proper VDV-interfaces.

At the same time, this information is available in the control centre and the dispatchers can quickly react to incidents, if necessary. At the end of the day, this provides more comfort and secured connections to the passengers as well as operational efficiency at GöVB. In order to guarantee a constant exchange of data between the control centre and bus, each vehicle was equipped with the pc-based ticket printer and on-board computer, EVENDpc2. It does not only offer the driver the entire ITCS range of functions, but also enables easy ticket sales.

A radio system to break new grounds

The communication infrastructure was newly set while changing to MOBILE-ITCS – by using a system that made GöVB break new grounds. Göttingen is among the first public transport companies to rely on Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) data and speech communication. A completely new infrastructure was created to achieve this. The reason for this: GöVB runs an own radio system to not depend on the full functioning of public mobile radio, which still serves as a fallback option.

A goal for the future in the university town with its rich tradition is to electrify public transport little by little. Hence, only electric and hybrid buses are meant to be purchased according to the town council’s and GöVB’s supervisory board’s decision. Here, too, INIT’s inte­grated ITS system might help. Even before the purchase of vehicles, eMOBILE-PLAN enables the creation and analysis of different scenarios for the implementation of electric buses and therefore allows for minimising economic risks in time. With eMOBILE-ITCS it would easily be possible to monitor these vehicles in the control centre as well. Using the integrated INIT solution ensures countless add-on options. And not least: future security.

Contact

Jens Reinwald

Key Account Manager
INIT GmbH
Germany

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This article was published in our customer magazine INITiative, issue 3/2019. If you want to receive the magazine regularly per e-mail, we kindly ask you to subscribe.

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