Public Transport Information and Priority System: Difference between revisions

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{{Redirect|PTIPS}}

The '''Public Transport Information and Priority System''', abbreviated '''PTIPS''', is a group of technologies developed by the [[Roads and Traffic Authority]] aimed at providing better service times to buses in the Australian city of [[Sydney]].

is a computer-based system that brings together information about public transport entities, such as buses, ferries, trams etc. Where applicable, PTIPS can also provide transport vehicles with priority at traffic signals.

PTIPS consists of a number of hardware and software components installed on-board buses which wirelessly communicate with a central set of servers. PTIPS also relies on an interface with Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System ([[SCATS]] - to provide the priority feature) and bus/route/timetable data provided by bus organisations and government authorities.

The bus priority system comprises a data collection and transmission system on board the bus and the centrally located PTIPS [[datacentre]] that analyses data received from each bus.

PTIPS provides:

The on-board system collects ___location, time and route information from the fare collection system and a [[Global Positioning System|GPS]] locator. It then transmits this information to PTIPS via a data radio service. PTIPS analyses this information, and if the bus satisfies the criteria for priority it passes a priority request to [[Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System]] ([[SCATS]]) to adjust the timing of traffic signals ahead on route.

* Real-time tracking of bus ___location and status

* Traffic light priority for late running buses

* Bus/Timetable performance and reliability reports

* Real-time Bus arrival information for bus stops

==How PTIPS Works==

PTIPS works by combining, on the one hand, schedule and route path information for buses performing timetabled services (as opposed to, say, charter trips), and on the other hand, live ___location data transmitted by the buses to PTIPS.

PTIPS receives XML data files from the public and private bus operators, which contain information relating to planned trips (for example, route paths, trips & schedules, bus stops etc.)

Each bus that PTIPS tracks is equipped with a hardware device that records its ___location via [[Global Positioning System|GPS]], and transmits it to the central PTIPS servers via the 3G radio communications network. Buses transmit these messages at certain intervals (which are configurable, and which vary depending on what the bus is doing), and also when they pass certain points along their intended route. Apart from GPS ___location, the transmitted messages also include information about the vehicle and which trip it is doing.

With the above information, PTIPS can compare the ___location of a bus performing a certain trip, at a certain point in time, with where it should be, based on the planned route and timetable data.

==Real time apps==

[[Transport for NSW|TfNSW]] worked with several developers in late 2012 to create, and release smartphone applications with access to the realtime bus data provided from PTIPS. Currently, only [[Sydney Buses]] operating in Inner Sydney including South Harbour, Inner North, and Northern Beaches and Eastern Suburbs (Bus regions 6 - 9) have data available.

Released in December 2012, several [[iOS]] and [[Android]] apps went live on their respective App Stores, allowing customers to open the apps, and track where their buses were in realtime, as well as any delays or timetable changes as they occur. In 2013, this realtime data was further expanded to provide live train information from [[CityRail]] as well.

==References==

<div class="references-small">

*[http://data.nsw.gov.au/files/real-time-bus-stop-description-data-datadescription.pdf Details of Realtime Data]

*[http://www.transportroundtable.com.au/sut3/abstracts/64-lake.html PTIPS Electronic Bus Priority Trial in Sydney, Australia]. Retrieved on 16 April 2007.

*[http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/doingbusinesswithus/tenderscontracts/contractsawarded/trafficmanagement/less/20051106184046258981.html Contract ID: PTIPS, NSW Roads and Traffic Authority]. Retrieved on 16 April 2007.

*Besser, Linton: [http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/priority-bus-green-lights-scrapped/2007/04/11/1175971183194.html Priority bus green lights scrapped]. Retrieved on 16 April 2007.

*[http://www.sydneybuses.info/news/new-apps-with-real-time-bus-information New apps with real time bus information]<references/></div>

<references/></div>

==See also==