All aboard for new intelligent transport system
WYG plays key role in delivery of real-time public transport information in Hertfordshire
Press Release
5 October 2012
All aboard for new intelligent transport system
WYG plays key role in delivery of real-time public transport information in Hertfordshire
Award winning transport consultants WYG have successfully overseen and provided technical expertise for a real-time public transport system which launched at the end of September in Hertfordshire.
The roll-out of Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) systems across Hertfordshire over the coming weeks is the first milestone of a collaborative project between WYG and Hertfordshire County Council and is a key part of a wider transport improvement programme.
Passengers will 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. Passengers are already able to access bus timetables online which show when a bus is due to arrive. 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.
The global multi-disciplinary consultancy also designed the Integrated Traffic Control Centre and wrote the specification for the Urban Traffic Management and Control system that underpins Hertfordshire County Council’s Intelligent Transport Systems strategy.
The project presented numerous challenges. Hertfordshire County Council was required to deliver the project in partnership with private sector bus operators with potentially conflicting requirements. The project delivered one of the first integrated AVL and smart ticketing schemes in the UK.
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.’’
He added: “WYG has a wealth of experience in providing Intelligent Transport Systems and managing the delivery of this project highlights our ability to de-risk a complex technical project.’’
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.’’
ENDS
Notes to Editors
WYG is an established global management and technical consultancy to the built and natural environment that collaborates with clients in over 40 countries to help them realise their corporate and project ambitions.
A top 15 European consultancy and employing more than 1,400 people around the world, WYG has the expertise for every stage of a project’s life-cycle from planning and design to building and completion.
WYG takes enormous pride in the work it does and has been recognised with several prestigious industry awards including: British Expertise International Awards 2011; RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Gold Medal Award 2011, National Recycling Awards 2011.
The Intelligent Transport Systems Programme’s benefits when fully realised will mean:
• Hertfordshire will have a transport network that is managed efficiently under normal traffic conditions as well as during incidents and road works so that users are informed about impacts on their journeys, route choices and parking facilities.
• People will have access to up-to-date, real-time public and personalised information to inform their travel choices by different modes of transport.
• The road network of Hertfordshire will be safer and more comfortable to travel on.
When incidents and inclement weather conditions occur, these will be managed more efficiently to ensure more speedy resolution through improved management and maintenance regimes.
Lisa Losardo
PR & Communications Executive
T: 44 (0)113 3821048
E: lisa.losardo@wyg.com
