Proj gpsAbstract

Several bus companies and local authorities are showing a great deal of interest in
automatic vehicle location (AVL) technology since AVL data can be used to drive
systems which provide real-time passenger information at bus stops (which are perceived
to be a potential source of increasing patronage and also have a high on-street profile).
However, many AVL and real-time passenger information systems have been bought
'off-the-shelf' without consideration as to whether the system could be better with re-
specification. To combat this problem, a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages
of the various AVL technologies has been made to produce guidelines for the
specification of AVL systems and real-time passenger information systems, and the
results have been presented here. To identify current best practice, interviews were
carried out with project managers of most of the real-time passenger information systems
operational in the UK and some bus operators who were implementing AVL systems.
The results suggest that no one system embraces all best practice and so there is potential
to improve on the 'off-the-shelf' systems currently available from manufacturers

cking in real-time

first step in a GPS-based transportation system is to have a digitised road map of the
uired location. The GPS receiver needs to be mounted on the vehicles that need to be
ked. Data generated by the GPS helps identify the position (in latitude and longitude) of the vehicle. This
needs to be positioned on a map of the area for analysis. For precision, a road map of the area (with
ortant landmarks) is required. On this map, the GPS readings are superimposed for further processing.
s, the receiver continuously records its co-ordinates at given time intervals. This data can be stored in a
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mory module along with the receiver, or it can be transmitted instantaneously to the central facility. The
itoring from a remote location (control room) is achieved through software which provides an interface
ween the Geographic Information System and the GPS. The analysis software helps in generating data on a
-time or online basis.

stantial savings

ption of a high-tech solution such as a GPS can result in greater savings and safety. “A study conducted by
howed that the designing of a transportation system for a BPO, which took many hours earlier, was
uced to a mere 90 minutes with the help of software,” reveals Joshi of Proficio. BMTC is now able to
itor the status of five buses at a time; information is updated every 10 seconds, according to Prakash. The
emental benefits for a logistics provider are significant. About 25 percent increase in productivity can be
n, according to Satyam of MobiApps.

ogistics provider was able to reduce the time of operations from 72 hours to 4 hours with our GIS
ring,” states Kathuria. Adds B R Srinivas, Chief Manager, ITS, Praxair India (a leading industrial and
ical gas supplier), “Planning has become efficient and prudent. The auto-generated e-mail at the control
m are helping us in giving corrective analysis of planning and delivery of goods to customers. It’s a saving
he cycle time and distribution cost.”

ny uses

ough the adoption of a GPS in transportation is still at an early stage, vendors and users are optimistic
ut the technology. Users who have already tasted the benefits are planning to use the technology
nsively.

nwhile, BMTC is integrating its PIS (Passenger Information System) and IVRS (Interactive Voice Response
em) services which will be kicked off in July 2006; it aims to increase the load [passengers boarding BMTC
es] by 10 percent.

adoption of GPS can also be seen in new segments such as school buses and in trash collection. “We are
ing an encouraging response from schools, hotels and commercial passenger vehicles. Currently, only
er companies with a fleet ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 vehicles are using a GPS. In future, we see growth
ng place in mid-sized companies running 50 to 100 trucks,” comments Satyam. Joshi adds that his
pany is talking to FMCG and logistics companies in the Middle East.

-based transportation systems can be useful for the tracking/recovery of vehicles used by banks to
ense cash at ATMs. This technology can also be useful for other transport vehicles where there is a need
heck transportation costs and track vehicles online.

ha@expresscomputeronline.com

© Copyright 2001: Indian Express Newspapers (Mumbai) Limited (Mumbai, India). All rights reserved throughout the

Tracking in real-time

The first step in a GPS-based transportation system is to have a digitised road map of the
required location. The GPS receiver needs to be mounted on the vehicles that need to be
tracked. Data generated by the GPS helps identify the position (in latitude and longitude) of
the vehicle. This data needs to be positioned on a map of the area for analysis. For precision,
a road map of the area (with important landmarks) is required. On this map, the GPS
readings are superimposed for further processing. Thus, the receiver continuously records its
co-ordinates at given time intervals. This data can be stored in a memory module along with
the receiver, or it can be transmitted instantaneously to the central facility. The monitoring
from a remote location (control room) is achieved through software which provides an
interface between the Geographic Information System and the GPS. The analysis software
helps in generating data on a real-time or online basis. UNSUBSCRIBE HERE

Substantial savings

Adoption of a high-tech solution such as a GPS can result in greater savings and safety. “A
study conducted by us showed that the designing of a transportation system for a BPO,
which took many hours earlier, was reduced to a mere 90 minutes with the help of
software,” reveals Joshi of Proficio. BMTC is now able to monitor the status of five buses at a
time; information is updated every 10 seconds, according to Prakash. The incremental
benefits for a logistics provider are significant. About 25 percent increase in productivity can
be seen, according to Satyam of MobiApps.

“A logistics provider was able to reduce the time of operations from 72 hours to 4 hours with
our GIS offering,” states Kathuria. Adds B R Srinivas, Chief Manager, ITS, Praxair India (a
leading industrial and medical gas supplier), “Planning has become efficient and prudent. The
auto-generated e-mail at the control room are helping us in giving corrective analysis of
planning and delivery of goods to customers. It’s a saving on the cycle time and distribution
cost.”

Many uses

Although the adoption of a GPS in transportation is still at an early stage, vendors and users
are optimistic about the technology. Users who have already tasted the benefits are planning
to use the technology extensively.

Meanwhile, BMTC is integrating its PIS (Passenger Information System) and IVRS
(Interactive Voice Response System) services which will be kicked off in July 2006; it aims to
increase the load [passengers boarding BMTC buses] by 10 percent.

The adoption of GPS can also be seen in new segments such as school buses and in trash
collection. “We are getting an encouraging response from schools, hotels and commercial
passenger vehicles. Currently, only larger companies with a fleet ranging from 2,000 to
5,000 vehicles are using a GPS. In future, we see growth taking place in mid-sized
companies running 50 to 100 trucks,” comments Satyam. Joshi adds that his company is
talking to FMCG and logistics companies in the Middle East.

GPS-based transportation systems can be useful for the tracking/recovery of vehicles used
by banks to dispense cash at ATMs. This technology can also be useful for other transport
vehicles where there is a need to check transportation costs and track vehicles online.

vinutha@expresscomputeronline.com

© Copyright 2001: Indian Express Newspapers (Mumbai) Limited (Mumbai, India). All rights reserved throughout the world. This entire site is compiled in
Mumbai by the Business Publications Division (BPD) of the Indian Express Newspapers (Mumbai) Limited. Site managed by BPD.