 Telematics Applications for Transport Research Information4th Framework ResearchProjects
 SAMPO TR 1046
Systems for Advanced Management of Public Transport Operations
Setting the Scene
The SAMPO project works in the domain of transport for citizens in rural and urban areas. Many people and areas are not well served by public transport services, because of low population density or diversity of travel patterns.
The challenge facing SAMPO is to develop transport services based on ITS which can improve mobility for these citizens in a manner which is viable and sustainable.
Approach
SAMPO seeks to develop Demand Responsive Transport Services (DRTS) supported by ITS. Partners from six countries in the EU, consisting of a Ministry, operators, city authorities, industrials, consultancies and universities, have combined to form a well-balanced consortium.
The key method is to identify actual demand for travel and match the transport offer to that demand. In the past, such services have been unattractive, since people needed to book the service a day or more beforehand.
SAMPO uses modern telecommunications to put the user in contact with the transport services. Travel Dispatch Centres (TDC) act as a transport broker, through which the user can reserve a transport service. The TDC is supported by a specialised software system which adapts or develops routes based on travel demand and location of the vehicles.
Results and Achievements
The project has followed the five-phase model of the TAP. A comprehensive User Needs Analysis was carried out in early 1996 across the five demonstration sites. This provided the basis for the design of both the demonstration and the technical solutions. An Evaluation Plan was developed at the same time to provide the reference guide for the project.
A Systems Architecture was developed for DRTS, capable of integrating the diverse aims, requirements and organisations represented in the five European sites.
The technical solutions are based where possible on generic telematic elements. They include GSM, Mobitex, GPS, GIS, digital maps, in-vehicle display units, and smart cards. The primary technical development centred on the Travel Dispatch Centre software. This required booking and reservation functions, network, route and vehicle databases, optimisers, and integration with the communication and AVL elements. These have been successfully developed and implemented during the project.
A formal Verification Phase was established. All sites tested the systems in real-world conditions for a set period, and only entered the demonstration phase after successful verification.
Demonstration sites were successfully established in four countries:
Hasselt and surrounding region (BE)
Tuusula Kerava - JŠrvenpŠŠ region and Seinajoki (FI)
Florence and Campi Bisenzio (IT)
Gothenburg (SE)
These sites provided a range of DRTS services, catering for both general public and for groups with special needs. They spanned the rural, town, and suburban situations.
An extensive evaluation exercise was carried out, and is reported under four main criteria:
-Technical Performance
-Service Provision
-Economic Viability
-Market Projection.
Technical performance of the systems was extremely good, with very low failure rates. The systems performed as anticipated. The time taken by users to reserve transport ranged from 30 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on the site. User acceptance of the booking procedure was generally very high.
User perception of the services was very high in most locations, with good growth in the passenger numbers. Good economic data has been obtained, but the project considers that it will require two years' data to fully understand the business case. The market prospects for DRTS are considered to be good.
A comprehensive set of guidelines and check-lists have been issued by the project to assist the decision-taker and potential implementers.
Conclusions and plans for the future
The telematics systems used in SAMPO have been proved to function successfully in the operational conditions across the demonstration sites. While many of the elements existed beforehand, the TDC software was all developed within SAMPO. They are now ready for market. Four TDC suppliers with different user-oriented features have proved their products within SAMPO.
The DRTS services have met the criteria of the operators and authorities. Each of the sites continues to provide them. In Belgium, Finland, Italy and Sweden the number of DRTS services will be increased both at the sites and elsewhere in the those countries.
Full deployment in the transport sector requires effort at European level.
Contact Details
Project Coordinator:
Mr Petri Jalasto
Tel: +358 9 160 2509
Fax: +358 9 160 2592
E-mail: petri.jalasto@mintc.fi
Project Manager:
Brendan Finn, European Transport & Telematics Systems Ltd.
Tel: +353 1 492 9755
Fax: +353 1 492 9757
E-mail: etts@etts.ie
Research Area: Telematic Applications for Demand Responsive Transport Services for urban and rural areas
Timescale: 01.01.96-31.12.97
Keywords: Demand Responsive Transport, Travel Dispatch Centre, Public Transport, Special Transport Service; Transport, Telematics, GSM, Mobitex, GPS, rural transport;
Key Project Participants:
European Transport and Telematics Systems Ltd. (IE)
Azienda Trasporti Area Fiorentina (IT)
City of Gothenburg (SE)
De Lijn (BE)
Ministry of Transport and Communications (FI)
PAMBO (IE)
VTT Automation (FI)
Public Deliverables
D 3 Analysis of user needs for Demand Responsive Transport Services
D 4 Architecture and Functional Specifications
D 5 Design and Integration Issues Regarding ATT for DRTS in the SAMPO Project
D6 Report of the verification phase
D 7 Demonstration of demand responsive transport in 4 SAMPO sites
D 8.1 Evaluation Plan
D 9 Recommendations concerning the market, operation, organisation and business case of DRTS
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