TAIT/TFL
Tait Radio Communications is to supply an initial order for 1500 mobile radio terminals from London Buses Ltd, after presenting the only tender that allowed retention of the existing analogue radio network as well as phased introduction of new terminals. The new radios also deliver enhanced control, communication and maintenance capabilities.
Tait's solution is based on the T2000 analogue mobile radio terminal, customised to directly replace the existing, ten-year-old, obsolete cabin-mounted radio sets including identical electrical and mechanical interfaces. User controls are also replicated exactly, eliminating retraining requirements.
According to Terry Hewlett, project manager for London Buses at TfL, retaining the existing communication infrastructure was critical to enabling TfL to enhance services to its passengers within the available budget. However, the majority of proposals presented to him required a complete network upgrade.
Colin Eade, Regional Marketing Manager, Europe at Tait concurred. "Many enterprises already own analogue infrastructure which is more than capable of fulfilling all their requirements, particularly given the higher functionality of the latest generation analogue radios. Avoiding the capital costs and management challenges of migration -- for example to digital -- frequently leads to an effective and low-cost solution." ©
Through London Buses Ltd, TfL provides services to franchised bus operating companies. TfL's radio infrastructure supports voice and data communications between bus drivers and the control centre in East London, and also supports Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) via street-side transponders and AVL modems installed in each bus. AVL data drives the Passenger Information at Bus Stops (PIBS) service, and enhances automatic emergency assistance and real-time route management provided by the control centre.
With minimal modifications, Tait engineers made the T2000 terminal directly compatible with the existing interfaces to on-bus systems such as the AVL modem and the ticket machine. The ticket machine provides the chief user interface to the radio, via which the driver enters route, running number and trip information. The original radio's fallback mode, which supports open channel communication if the control channel is lost, is also recreated.
Additional, advanced features enabled by the T2000 include Engineering and Out-Of-Service modes, which allow technical staff to manipulate the radio without requiring a laptop computer. A code plug containing a unique prefix and identification is also now supported, strengthening prevention of unauthorised re-programming.
TfL has already begun phased replacement, and anticipates significant financial and management benefits thanks to easy electrical and mechanical installation, transparency to the user, and proven technology of the Tait T2000 terminal.
Details: Colin Eade, Regional Marketing Manager Europe, Tait Europe. Tel: +44 (0) 845 450 5102;
e-mail: teumarketing@tait.co.uk
http://europe.taitworld.com
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