Hertfordshire deploys real-time public transport information system

UK transport consultants WYG have successfully collaborated with Hertfordshire County Council in the UK to provide technical expertise for the county’s real-time public transport system. The roll-out of real time passenger information (RTPI) systems across Hertfordshire over the coming weeks is the first milestone in the project and is a key part of a wider transport improvement programme. The project presented numerous challenges, not least the need to deliver the project in partnership with private secto
UTC / October 8, 2012
UK transport consultants 6676 WYG have successfully collaborated with Hertfordshire County Council in the UK to provide technical expertise for the county’s real-time public transport system.

The roll-out of real time passenger information (RTPI) systems across Hertfordshire over the coming weeks is the first milestone in the project and is a key part of a wider transport improvement programme.  The project presented numerous challenges, not least the need to deliver the project in partnership with private sector bus operators with potentially conflicting requirements.

Although passengers are already able to access bus timetables online which show when a bus is due to arrive, they will now be able to view real-time information on departure screens, at bus stations and stops, through the Council’s Intalink website and on their own mobile phones. This new real-time information will show the actual arrival time, taking into account problems such as delays.

WYG provided technical expertise in the specification of an automatic vehicle location system (AVL) and associated real-time passenger information. The project also included smart-card ticketing which has successfully been implemented and launched earlier in 2012.

WYG also designed the integrated traffic control centre and wrote the specification for the urban traffic management and control (UTMC) system that underpins Hertfordshire County Council’s intelligent transport systems strategy.

The system will be further developed to assist Hertfordshire County Council and other stakeholders to deliver environmentally sustainable changes in transport behaviour through integrated ticketing and real-time passenger information delivered to on-street signs and smart phones.

Iain Bisset, Managing Director, WYG said: “Crucially, the system will deliver to bus operators the tools to improve the reliability and punctuality of bus services throughout the county. Detailed information on delay points will enable Hertfordshire County Council to reduce delays to buses, including delivering bus priority at signalised junctions.”

Stuart Pile, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport for the Council, said: "Real-time passenger information will help make public transport more attractive to use, as well as helping us to deliver more reliable and punctual buses. This is vital if we are to persuade residents to leave their cars at home and take the bus instead.  The real-time information project is part of a wave of traffic and travel technologies which form part of the county council’s larger intelligent transport systems programme to improve the way Hertfordshire's transport network is managed.”
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