Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
The aim is to provide a seamless journey, with full information about facilities,
travel times, and any potential barriers to accessibility. Provision of a comprehensive
multi-modal public-transport system that is easy and reliable to use is a great aid to
social cohesion as it provides better access to services and better support for local
communities.
Scenario 9.
Case Study: public transport
Pete is 70 years old. Due to a worsening eye condition, he finally gave up driving two years ago, but since
then has found it difficult to maintain his previous social life. After several decades of relying on the car, he
feels he has “forgotten” how to use public transport. Moreover, he has been put off by stories of complex
fare structures, unreliability and anti-social behaviour. He has lost his confidence in public transport.
However, tonight Pete is due to attend a concert at the SAGE venue in Newcastle, and he decides to set
himself a challenge: to attend by public transport.
First of all, Pete carries out some pre-trip planning. Using the Internet he accesses details of the railway
timetable; he needs to take the train in order to travel from his suburban town to the city centre (Central
station). He knows that Central Station isn't very close to his final destination, but from his research he
discovers that the “Quaylink”' bus departs from just outside the Central station and takes him to the
quayside area and so within walking distance of the SAGE venue.
Reassured by this pre-trip planning, Pete sets off for his local station. His first step is to purchase his ticket
using the smart card that he originally obtained for use in his local library, but which also has a transport
application through an arrangement with the local transport operator. The smart card automatically deducts
the cost of the ticket from Pete's smart card balance. By swiping his NFC-enabled mobile phone against an
information point, he receives an audio message that informs him of the time of the first available train and
its time of arrival at Central station, plus additional information about the frequency of the train service.
On his journey, Pete realizes he will travel through the village where his friend Graham lives. Having not
seen Graham for over a year he decides it would be a great idea to stop off briefly for a cup of tea. He calls
Graham on his mobile and arranges to meet at the station café.
After an engrossing conversation, Pete realizes he risks being late for the concert. His fear is worsened by
an automatic alarm on his mobile phone that is triggered when he misses the next train. Because the system
knows Pete's current location and the time, it notifies him that there is not another train for half an hour, but
the number X11 bus runs from the adjacent bus station in ten minutes. This service will arrive at the main
railway station in time for him to connect to the Quaylink service. All this information is relayed to him in
audio form because of his poor eyesight. On boarding the bus, Pete uses his smart card to pay the fare.
Meanwhile the onboard information system informs him that his bus will arrive at bus stop R, whilst the
Quaylink service will depart from bus stop T within five minutes of his arrival. He is advised that the walk
between the two stops should take only two minutes. Pete discovers that his train ticket will also be valid on
the Quaylink bus due to an arrangement between the operators.
Suddenly aware that he has never visited the SAGE before, he remembers comments from friends about
how large the venue is and how many stairs there are to negotiate. He decides to find out more about the
physical access of the building by accessing a point of interest database on his mobile phone. Reassured
that there are plenty of lifts - and assistance if required - he goes ahead and topics a beer at the bar for the
interval using the SMS service implemented by the venue.
Pete enjoys the show and feels that he will be much more comfortable using public transport in the future
due to the assistance, convenience and reassurance that technology was able to provide for him.
Functionality
The main ICT-based functionality for public transport can be centred on travel planning
and information (e.g. timetables, amenity information and physical access information)
service that will provide:
improved information in vehicles, at stations, etc.;
•
information delivered in a variety of formats to suit the individual;
•
information delivered at home;
•
real-time information with a short response time.
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