Holmes – CENTROS NEW TECHNOLOGY PASSENGER INFORMATION SYSTEMS 1993

Description

Centro’s BLUEPRINT project, funded under the EC DRIVE-2 programme, aims to trial a comprehensive suite of advanced public transport passenger information systems in the West Midlands (1993–94) as part of its 20-year strategy to improve service quality and encourage modal shift from cars. BLUEPRINT, developed with QUARTET partners and international input, will test both off-line (static timetable) and on-line (real-time) services, and interactive (user-query) and passive displays. Planned elements include enhanced enquiry-office systems, in-street self-service terminals, in-home and portable user access, and passive at-stop countdown signs, VMS for park-and-ride and potential in-car outputs. Real-time features depend on Automatic Vehicle Location feeding a Public Transport Information Processing Centre, with links to Urban Traffic Control for selective bus priority. Major challenges arise from a deregulated bus network—frequent timetable/operator changes and incomplete fare data—so systems must be stand-alone, easy to update, highly flexible, and supported by operators. Trials were due for deployment end-1993 with evaluation in 1994.