Innovative Info

Tracking and monitoring bus fleets has become an essential tool for operators around Australia. Whether it be updating fleet managers to any possible delays or ensuring passengers receive up-to-date information on arrivals and departures, these capabilities have become the focus of systems software company INIT.

Through its latest LIVE automatic vehicle location (LIVEavl) solution, it has unveiled a fleet monitoring tool that is quick to implement, modern and web-based to give operators a thorough overview of en-route buses.

LIVEavl provides supervisors with reliable real-time information on their fleet and passengers with all necessary information on departures or disruptions. The solution supervises all vehicles and displays them on a computer screen, allowing operators to always know where their buses are in the network. Vehicle positions are shown by a colour coding system that makes it easy to detect if vehicles are ahead or behind schedule. Users are also able to interact with this system to search for buses and stops to receive more information on departure, speed and punctuality. If there are deviations from the planned route, an alarm is visually shown on the display. Supervisors can quickly react to these alarms and, in case of obstructions, they can manage deviations with the solution so all vehicles will safely reach their destination. If there is a situation that asks for immediate support on location, the supervisors can navigate staff to the vehicle in need of help, all while communicating with the driver to manage the disruption. A key advantage of INIT’s LIVEavl is its versatility. With an agile and scalable CAD/AVL solution, bus operations control centre staff can track and monitor bus fleets of just about any size. Subcontractors can also use the system to determine the location and punctuality of vehicles, with the solution able to be scaled up and down to meet operator needs.

The new INIT solution uses a variety of data sources to determine this vehicle information. Its GTFS interface allows companies to store and modify planned timetables, while a GTFS-RT open data interface gives third parties real-time information as open data. The system can then combine this real-time data with detailed scheduled information to calculate departure times based on planned timetables and real-time locations, as well as historical statistics. LIVEavl is perfectly designed to fit passenger needs, as it can give them precise departure information on mobile devices, the public transport company’s website or via passenger information displays. This gives them the power of knowing when their bus will arrive while also learning about any transfers or changes that can allow them to adapt travel plans if required. Passengers can be informed quickly and easily about incidents. Supervisors can create and broadcast bulletins to the passenger service module and third-party systems to keep passengers updated about temporary changes. The supervisor sees on the screen the exact visualised information that is provided to the passengers, so they know the fleet’s status and can be certain that all passengers are well-informed.

A main part of the new INIT system is the constant communication between the vehicles and the control centre via the solution. The backend of the system constantly exchanges data with the LIVE Driver terminal application that the driver uses, sending all necessary vehicle data through. This transmission takes place through public cellular networks, keeping vehicles, drivers and operators connected on a unified and cohesive network. For many CAD/AVL systems, the investment in and installation of extensive hardware is indispensable, both in the vehicles and in the control centre. LIVEavl allows for a different approach with its cloud-based technology. The system is also flexible. Vehicles can be equipped with an Android smartphone or tablet to make this connection if there is no data transmitting hardware like an on-board computer installed. It only requires the Live Driver terminal app to send the necessary vehicle data through to the backend system. If you give the drivers these standard devices, both drivers and operators can be sure of a perfect data flow and are guaranteed seamless and stable communication with the control centre, which includes real-time notifications and messaging features. Just like an on-board computer, the GPS positioning transmitted is also very accurate. Supervisors only need computers with an up-to-date web browser, with the user interface being customisable to different needs. The LIVEavl system is efficient to set up and is beneficial for operators of any size. The pilot project with real-life data is available in just a few days after installation, while implementing a live project takes only a few weeks due to its web-based nature.

A major benefit of the system is its ease of use and cost efficiency through its Software-as-a-Service (Saas) solution. SaaS solution means that INIT cares about the backend and maintains the software. Customers do not have to deal with their own servers but only need web access. They receive LIVEavl in the form of a subscription, while customers just pay a monthly fee, eliminating the need for large upfront investments.

The solution also includes modules that provide a vehicle registry to manage vehicles and their parameters, a fully tailored in-depth online reporting option and a storage of departure data for two years to help create future timetables. All of these benefits make bus and coach operations smoother and easier for all parties involved in passenger transport. The solution only requires minimal hardware installation and is quickly implemented, making it an easy option for many operators. This future-proof SaaS solution is indispensable for just about every bus operator and provides an important tool for public transport passengers.