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New Publications are available now online for this publication.
Please follow the links to view the publication.SmartFleet, how "Smart" rail vehicles help improve business
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2011.0581
The rapid development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) creates as mam" challenges for rail operators as it does opportunities. Remote Condition Monitoring (RCM) of rail vehicles, a major challenge, begs the question ; how to realise the RCM Value Cham of Data - Information - Added Value? The potential benefits on offer for every stage of rail vehicle operation are strongly context and roledependent for a rail business. The SmartFleet concept offers a structured approach to the integration of RCM into operational and maintenance processes; the key to successful RCM design and implementation lies in the balancing of technical, process and cultural aspects. Critical success factors include a focus on the desired goals and taking a holistic process perspective of the activity chain. (4 pages)Train describer records as a source of information for infrastructure monitoring, performance analysis and traffic management
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2011.0607
Data records from tram describer systems represent a valuable source of information for analysing system performance and assessing railway timetable quality. The aim of this paper is to introduce the Dutch tram describer system and present algorithms developed for automatic identification of track blockages, route conflicts (including the identification of conflicting trains), accurate arrival and departure times/delays at stations, and realized train paths on track section level with the associated blocking times. Analysis of these realisation data can be used to identify incidents and disruptions, as well as to determine structural errors in the timetable design in order to increase the system performance. (5 pages)Internet tourism scene classification with multi-feature fusion and transfer learning
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2011.0768
This paper proposes an internet tourism scene classification algorithm, named multi-feature fusion with transfer learning, which utilizes unlabeled auxiliary data to facilitate image classification. Firstly, we do the SURF extraction and MRHM analysis for the training data separately, in which the training data set as combined with labeled images and unlabeled auxiliary images. Then we compute the target feature vector for each image by merging the extended SURF descriptor and MRHM feature. Finally, we train the SVM classifier scene classification. Due to the capability of transferring knowledge, the proposed algorithm can effectively address insufficient training data problem for image classification. Experiments are conducted on a Beijing tourism scene dataset to evaluate the performance of our proposed algorithm. The experimental results are encouraging and promising.Enterprise control systems strategies for railways
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2011.0591
Most industries contend with reliability, availability, safety and cost issues. Similarly, these industries also operate complex, integrated operations. The force of recession has driven many of them to look harder at the performance improvements they can make. In addition to recession pressures, many industries are also suffering from a demographic issue of an aging work-force and the need to function effectively with a slimmed-down organisation. We have gone through the lean operation phase, where processes are simplified and operations are optimised against a minimalist model. The next improvement is to begin to join up the whole enterprise and to deliver an integrated Enterprise Control System (ECS) with advanced data gathering, analysis and sharing solutions. The objective is more efficient use of the business system and this is supported by better use of the available real-time data to manage and improve both assets and processes. The ECS offers a more cohesive approach to raising the efficiency of the railway, potentially with the efficiency benefits typical of other industries. This paper will provide an outline of the strategies required to deliver an enterprise-wide solution and the considerations essential to delivering the desired return on investment from a management perspective. (7 pages)Intelligent tourist attractions recommendation system based on cases
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2011.1490
This paper describes how to meet the tourists' demands by using web crawlers, perceptual hashing, decision tree modeling and other technologies in city tourist attractions recommendation. The system makes the intelligent suggestions by using web crawlers to capture weather conditions for the next few days, and builds a decision tree according to the data base of users' feedbacks. It analyses the result of the model and updates the algorithms. To solve the tourist picture reviews issue, we design and implement a hashing algorithm base on digital image sense technology and give out the test and analysis results.E-commerce on-line catering reserving and ordering system based on mobile intelligent terminal
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2011.1440
In order to improve the operational efficiency of restaurant and catering enterprises by using modern information technology, this paper develops an E-commerce on-line catering reserving and ordering system based on mobile intelligent terminal, which is based on Android platform. The system integrates with wireless communications, artificial intelligence, and database technologies and achieves many functions, such as reserving, ordering, evaluation, recommending, restaurants navigation, scheduling, information displaying, and ordering records management, etc. The system has realized customer-focused, personalized, and high quality catering reserving and ordering service and has been used in several restaurant in Beijing.Monitoring procedures for tourism using RFID and Google maps technologies
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2010.0564
Due to global e-Map on Internet, tourists can easily and precisely find the position that they are interested in. Using one kind of tag-based microchips, a RFID system is usually combined with back-end information systems to sense the tag information with internet-connected readers through wireless transmission. Recently, since the number of travel websites is under unceasing development and increasing, tourists can deeply understand scenic sites before their trips. However, the travel agents capture tourist information, only from the leading tour guides on trip, which is an ineffective monitoring procedure. This research discusses how to combine RFID technology with Google Maps in traveling applications, and provides two-way monitoring procedures with an e-map traveling system. As proposed scheme, RFID tags are attached to tourists using RFID wireless radio frequency identification technology. Four monitoring components are designed to deliver tourists' tag information so that travel agents can automatically track their tours and tourists by remote monitoring information from the mobile and spot-based RFID readers instead of tour guides. The monitoring information of tracked tours and tourists will be represented in internet-based Google Maps. By comparing with the existing traveling websites, this paper discusses advantages and disadvantages of the procedures proposed.Emotional classification model for tourism base on the point of view of life-record
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp.2010.0577
In any activity in which people have an emotional reaction, memory and emotion in travel are often not separated. Travel will always be full of memories and emotions with the return of these memories will be the proof of the existence of life. Everyone wants to reserve forever in their minds. With the technological advancements, there are a lot of tools that could preserve the moment. Through the different platforms of the ways to connect, the moment it could be stored by digital image, video, text or others. Combination of GPS positioning system tracks out at any time while you want to remain the moment. The research brings up an effective method to store the valuable moment with emotion. The method uses expression ways, such as Blog and Google Earth to show the time, locations and event during the trip. It is a real-time recording system that you can share diary, videos, emotions and pictures with your friends. In the system, we design a path algorithm which uses the weighted of emotional classification method to calculating the travel planning. In addition to the travel path searching, we use the sentiment classification to help people find the theme-based travel with emotional judgment. It can be a reference basis for travel planning.Transport for London journey planner
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic.2008.0724
A collection of slides from the authors' conference presentation is given. Journey Planner is an application which, by utilising a combined set of services, enables customers to plan journeys efficiently, using the most appropriate modes of transport. It is available through Web interfaces or via mobile applications - information is at your fingertips and always on the go. It provides multi-modal solutions and options. (22 pages)KAMO: mobile guide for the city traveller
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_20081133
We present a mobile public transportation guide application called KAMO, which offers journey planning and stop-specific timetable information for public transportation passengers. Passengers can also pay for their fare using the application; travel news concerning current problems or changes to the public transport are also available via the KAMO application. We describe the KAMO service architecture, compare it with related work, and illustrate a typical application scenario from the user's point of view. Our work takes steps forward in combining journey planning and the real-time positioning-based monitoring of the buses in the same application and advancing the application's usability of the by utilising the Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. We summarise initial user trial results, which demonstrate that NFC can be used with public transportation services. Based on the user trial results and our own experience, we present the future development directions for KAMO. (7 pages)Study on information classification of tourism emergency events
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_20080750
In this paper, we expound the significance of information classification of tourism emergency events for prediction, adopt naive Bayes algorithm based on k-means clustering algorithm to make classification on the tourism information that can be used for prediction of emergency events, pre- process the data and obtain better classification results of the tourism information that can be used for prediction of emergency events.Study on travel active information service system
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_20080749
This paper presents design and implementation of the travel active information service system based on IIPP and agent technology. The system collects data from network according to the value estimated by the model, which combines interest model with credibility model. It is developed on C#.net platform with reference of flow chart and Ajax technology to improve performance. The system has advantages of user interest requirement and true information considered.A study on industry information application system based on wireless communication network
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_20070156
Owing to the diversity and particularity of industry users, the network framework of industry information application system based on wireless communication system is terribly complicated. This paper gives a new network framework as well as primary design pattern regarding main functions. This scheme is well flexible and apt to accelerate the development of industry information application. Therefore, the work of this article is valuable in both academe and society.HLPSD: hybrid listener proximity based service discovery for indoor tourism applications
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_20070394
Most of the existing service discovery approaches that are designed for tourism applications are based on having a fixed centralized or distributed service provider that is accessible to a group of service clients at any given time. This paper presents a hybrid decentralized service discovery approach designed for indoor tourism applications. The approach is mainly based on exploiting the ability of service clients to form an ad hoc network, in which services can be shared among neighbour nodes. The presented approach has been implemented as hybrid proximity based decentralized service discovery model. The effectiveness of the presented approach is illustrated by a number of simulation experiments. Results showed an enhancement in the service availability and scalability. Moreover, the response time and service discovery failure rates are minimized.Quantum immune clone algorithm and its application in warning forecast of tourism emergency
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_20070791
The development of tourism industry has become so fast today. However, there are unexpected events occurring in the developing process. Based on the tourism information in recent years, this paper combined quantum computing with immune clone algorithm and applied them to the data mining of emergency events of tourism information, deducing the links between emergency rules. Finally through the simulative experiment, we validated its validity and feasibility when used in data mining of tourism emergency.Responsive event-full public spaces
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_20070361
This proposal inserts responsive, personalized, embodied environments to the public urban space in order to animate and augment it by means of story-telling and creation of dreamlike atmosphere. The construction of a narrative that relates past times to the present and stages historical facts, traditions and legends through an artistic-oriented reinterpretation is webbed with the use of transparent and almost invisible interactive technologies to the material space. Spectacular and thematization strategies are combined with a high-standard aesthetic intervention in order to revive public urban spaces and to attract high- quality tourism.Tourism emergency events analysis based on agent
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_20070716
This paper describes the architecture and implementation method of the prediction and alarm System of tourism emergency based on multi-agent. Multi-layers architecture is adopted in this system to manage the agents efficiently. The computing tasks are distributed to each agent, so the computing efficiency is greatly improved, as well as the reliability of the whole system. J2EE technology is used to test the implementation of the architecture and the result proves the feasibility.Application of quantum-inspired genetic algorithm for mining tourism emergency association rules
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_20070775
A new fuzzy association rules mining algorithm which combines quantum computing concept and data mining principles is proposed in this paper. The algorithm utilizes fuzzy sets to discretize original data, and to construct the fitness function through subordinative degree. To improve the efficiency of rules-searching, the quantum-inspired genetic algorithm is employed, in which the candidate rules is coded as the qubit chromosomes. Simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of this method for mining tourism emergency association rules.Salero - semantic audiovisual entertainment reusable objects
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic.2005.0760
The Integrated Project SALERO aims to advance the state of the art in digital media to the point where it becomes possible to create audiovisual content for cross-platform delivery using intelligent content tools, with greater quality at lower cost, to provide audiences with more engaging entertainment and information at home or on the move. SALERO will build on and extend research in media technologies, web semantics and context based image retrieval, to reverse the trend toward ever-increasing cost of creating media.Fit for business: improving customer satisfaction through real time information
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic_20040139
FGW (First Great Western), which runs a high speed train service between London Paddington and the west of England, Bristol, Bath, south Wales and the Cotswolds, has developed a fit-for-business strategy focused on our customers' travel requirements, understanding their needs and delivering products that are relevant, consistent and accessible. Real-time information has formed a major part of this strategy. (13 pages)Applying problem frames to modeling 'abstraction' concepts
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic_20040225
Michael Jackson's problem frames are generally used in requirement engineering technique. It is useful to separate potentially confusing concepts in different classes of problem frames. However, little research has been conducted with respect to applications of this technique in conceptual modeling. This paper uses the information display frame in an airplane transportation schedule browsing problem, and examines the conceptual modeling processes by separating concept concerns in problem frame. This method simplifies the processes of modeling 'abstraction' concepts which are usually composed of a complex combination of physical entities.The presentation of information
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic_20040140
The author asks what is good information and why we should provide it and what steps we can take to ensure we are providing good information. Information in this context is data that contribute(s) to the knowledge of the train traveller, on which he can make or change his intentions before and/or during the trip. (22 pages)Information management: the key to railways past and future
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic_20040134
Information is the key to successful railway performance. Since the first railways ran information was critical to the safe and efficient operation of the railway, with everyone from train drivers, through passengers and station staff, to the railway operators requiring fast and efficient access to information. As technology has developed from telegraphy to modern high speed fibre optic based transmission networks, the trend has been towards acquiring more and more data, often without appropriate regard to translating that data into useful information. Today's modern control systems, when properly engineered, can offer significant benefits through the fusion of data from multiple sources into one coherent set of information, allowing all users to access the information they require in the format in which they require it. This paper outlines this transition from the viewpoint of one of the most successful suppliers of this technology. (28 pages)Metro data management
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic_20040138
The following topics are dealt with: operational planning; ticketing payments; enforcement; safety and security; human resources; customer information; service control; business management; asset management and maintenance; and performance monitoring. (5 pages)PRISMATICA: a multi-sensor surveillance system for public transport networks
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_20040003
PRISMATICA (PRoactive Integrated systems for Security Management by Technological, Institutional and Communication Assistance)a system for multiple-sensor surveillance in key public transport networks has been described. The design was closely inspired by what public transport operators are familiar with, i.e. the concepts of distributed sensors, distributed monitoring and decision making in a control room environment. Results have been presented that demonstrate the capability of automatic systems to detect potentially dangerous situations and of a distributed system that can promptly alert operators providing multiple sensor views of the events. Real-world demonstrators on key sites have demonstrated the feasibility of the approach.A means of providing public transport information to passengers who may not know where they are going!
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_20040004
The particular form of the problem investigated in this paper is that encountered by job seekers (and those looking for employment related training courses). These people are often the least likely in society to have access to a car and therefore rely on public transport. However, current Web-based job vacancy search services fail to account for this: job seekers are supplied with numerous vacancies that match their employment preferences, but give no indication whether they can actually get to them without their own transport. To make individual queries to a public transport information service such as the Traveline journey planner for each returned vacancy is not an acceptable solution. Job seekers are known to become disillusioned with the job vacancy information provided because they see too much of it as being not relevant to them - in short, they want a more personalised service. This paper looks at a novel approach for combining sources of information on trip purpose with public transport information to provide users with "one-stop" solutions to the above type of query.The provision of on street passenger information via real time passenger information; a case study of Dublin
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_20040001
In June 2001 Dublin Bus introduced a real time passenger information (RTPI) system on the first of its eleven quality bus corridors (QBC), on the Lucan QBC. The introduction is part of a three-year pilot programme called 'Q-time', which was established to test RTPI on three QBCs before deciding on the roll out of the system across the Dublin Bus network. This system displays, passenger information with regard to the estimated wait time on passenger information displays at bus stops along the Lucan QBC. In this paper the authors examine through observations taken from the Lucan corridor the accuracy of the information displayed at the bus stops. These observations measure the day, time of day, route, stop and arrivals; early, late and on time. From this information it has been possible to measure the exactness of the data displayed at the bus stop and to what degree passengers can have confidence in its accuracy. This analysis is complemented by results of a survey carried out in conjunction with the observations on the Lucan corridor. The purpose of the survey is to ascertain what passengers want displayed on the passenger information display. Should it be solely transport related? Or should it be integrated to provide information on local amenities they may use given that they know the estimated time of arrival? The paper will conclude with recommendations on the current Dublin Bus system with regard to the reliability of the data and what other information passengers wish to see displayed.Mass customization - an adidas perspective
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic_20030105
According to Piller, mass customization (MC) means the production of goods and services for a (relatively) large market which exactly meets the needs of every individual customer with regard to certain product characteristics (differentiation option) at costs roughly corresponding to those of standard mass produced goods (cost option). The information collected in the course of the process of individualization serves to build up a long lasting individual relationship with each customer. Our mi adidas project is a form of collaborative mass customization, which Pine has defined as one of four possible settings for MC. Our mi adidas products are results of hard customization (production on demand). Contrary to our main competitor we are not only making cosmetic changes to the products (soft customization), each pair is the result of a customer's need in regards to fit, performance and design. (4 pages)Digital cinema - an overview
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic_20030128
This paper is a presentation regarding digital cinema - an overview. Discussed are: defining the terms and concepts; digital cinema today; digital screen growth; digital screens world-wide; digital cinema releases; studio report card for digital cinema releases; notable "digital cinema" deployments; advertising = digital Trojan Horse; and digital cinema time-line. (7 pages)Europe's first digital cinema circuit launched in Sweden
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic_20030132
This paper is a presentation regarding Europe's first digital cinema circuit launched in Sweden. Discussed are: pilot project; technology; digital film laboratory; print cost; film industry relation; business case; additional distribution technologies; alternative content; conclusion; distribution platform; and roll-out. (7 pages)The benefits of integrated systems: a case study
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic_20020074
Emirates Towers is a state-of the art office hotel tower complex accommodating business and holiday travellers alike. The towers are home to numerous businesses and offer the latest fibre optic technology and integrated systems. The five star hotel tower has 500 rooms, including 40 suites and three main themed restaurants. A five level podium building connects the towers and includes more than 40 retail, restaurant and parking facilities. The article describes the solution provided by Johnson Controls to implement a state-of-the-art technological infrastructure scalable for future developments. They produced a total integrated IT and building management system infrastructure offering the client a single-seat operation solution. This approach, included redundant IT-network solution based on the ATM switches, video-on-demand, e-commerce, Internet, BMS, CCTV, and hotel management system data through the entire complex. (7 pages)The use of technology roadmapping as an enabler of knowledge management
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic_20010078
The Post Office Research Group (UK) faces a number of key challenges: understanding how research activity contributes to meeting future business needs, focusing and prioritising research activity to provide maximum benefit to the business, and communicating the value of research activity widely throughout the business. In using technology roadmapping to support the management, planning and communication of research activities, the Research Group has discovered the value of roadmapping as a knowledge management tool. (6 pages)Been there, done that: a personalised mobile agent system for the next generation of call centres
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic_20010003
The call centre industry is currently facing a dichotomy. The growth of call centres is exploding worldwide, with an estimated 5% of all people in the UK expected to be employed in one by year 2005. At the moment, the call centre is still central to the customer contact strategies of most organisations, but the rules are being rewritten with the emergence of the so-called `dot-com' companies who regard the electronic channel as their principal interface with the customer. If that was not problematic enough, customers' expectations are growing, demanding more choice, flexibility, easy navigation and greater intimacy. In this paper, we present the Virtual Inhabited Call Centre (VICC), a novel Web-based call centre that leverages the power of a mobile multi-agent architecture. VICC is not so much an attempt to develop a technology, but about the potential of using a set of new technologies for the benefit of everyone. (11 pages)CRUMPET: creation of user-friendly mobile services personalised for tourism
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_20010006
More and more people combine several purposes with travelling, such as business, leisure, entertainment, and education. Such people may not have time to pre-plan a travel schedule in detail. They need location-aware information about the destination domain and expect individualised information and services. The EU funded research project CRUMPET addresses these factors and will provide new information delivery services for a far more heterogeneous tourist population. The services proposed by CRUMPET take advantage of integrating four key emerging technology domains and applying them to the tourism domain: location-aware services, personalised user interaction, seamlessly accessible multimedia mobile communication, and smart component-based middleware or “smartware” that uses multi-agent technology.Signing for the deaf using virtual humans
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic_20000134
Research at Televirtual (Norwich) and the University of East Anglia, funded predominantly by the Independent Television Commission and more recently by the UK Post Office also, has investigated the feasibility of using virtual signing as a communication medium for presenting information to the deaf. We describe and demonstrate the underlying virtual signer technology, and discuss the language processing techniques and discourse models which have been investigated for information communication in a transaction application in Post Offices, and for presentation of more general textual material in texts such as subtitles accompanying television programmes. (5 pages)The development of Norfolk County Council's transport database system
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_20000134
Presents the development of the transport database system for Norfolk County Council. The different elements of the system are outlined along with the data requirements and the system architecture. The stages of system development are detailed along with the scope of the information held and the likely future direction. Some results of usage of the system are given in the paper.Enhancing incident response through driver information
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic_19981086
With today's traffic conditions there is an ever-increasing need to provide motorists with travel information and to be able to accurately locate individual vehicles when dealing with incidents. It is often quite difficult for motorists to pinpoint their location when a breakdown or accident occurs. This is particularly apparent on motorways when motorists use their mobile telephones instead of the emergency telephones. The police motorway controllers and motoring organisations then have the additional task of trying to locate motorists instead of relying upon automatic identification by the motorway emergency telephone system. Equally, the public find it difficult to accurately describe their location even on familiar routes, particularly in the heat of the moment. With the advent of satellite navigation, mobile telephones and advanced computing it is now possible to pinpoint motorists and provide telematics services to assist them. The subject of this paper is an integrated system that has been developed by the Automobile Association to provide these services. The system described is currently being deployed and offers an operational service to users. (8 pages)The use of simulation and virtual reality in the design and operation of airport terminals
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_19980609
Formed in 1984 and based in Yeovil (UK), GKN Westland System Assessment Limited (WSAL) is one of three companies which come under the systems arm of GKN Westland Aerospace. Some of WSAL's key skills lie in the domains of operational research and mathematical modelling. WSAL also have a broad experience in developing software packages, analytical and simulation models to address customer requirements. A number of data manipulation packages have been developed to assist users in the preparation and collation of data. Discrete event simulation models have been developed to analyse complex logistic problems. The models developed by WSAL have been employed throughout the product development life cycle. An Airport Passenger Terminal (or any other large building for that matter) may be considered as an operational system designed to facilitate a complex business process effectively, at minimum costs. The interaction between design, operations and logistics cannot be underestimated and the use of visualisation techniques is a powerful aid to communication between the planning teams and contractors. WSAL were approached by British Airways, the likely main user of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5, to propose a solution with which to model parts of the operation of the building and maximise its effectiveness. The article examines the use of simulation and virtual reality software in the airport terminal design by WSAL.A management paradigm to reduce information overload - the introduction of the intranet into BT
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic_19971147
When you return to your desks after a few days away, will you find it piled high with memo's, reports, etc? Will your computer screen be covered with yellow postits? Finally, when you start your computer will you drown in email? The paper outlines a new approach to information management enabled by new technologies. It describes how the information pull reduces management overheads and how BT has benefited by adopting this approach-intranets and Internet. The implementation strategy at BT is based on maintaining control by encouraging people to work within a framework. This framework is sufficiently stringent to maintain overall control without stifling innovation in the use of this new and rapidly developing technology. The overall objective is to ensure a flexible, continually improving information resource that meets the needs of both the business and the people working within it. The implementation strategy targeted the key stakeholders separately, i.e., information providers, information users and infrastructure providers. (6 pages)Three dimensional process information. A picture worth a thousand words
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic_19960818
The work relates to “quality” development activities being conducted at AVRO International Aerospace which is part of British Aerospace Plc. The central theme is one of using graphics to simplify process information and subsequently linking that information together electronically via IT systems. Access to that information is also via electronic means. The author concentrates on describing two of the selected solutions to the problems detailed. (4 pages)SOCRATE: an implementation debacle
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic_19960312
SOCRATE is a modified computerized reservation system based on SABRE, the original version built and used successfully by American Airlines. SNCF bought it for 1.3 billion Francs in 1989, with an expected yearly return on investment of 600 million Francs. The main purpose of introducing SOCRATE was to accommodate the expected huge increase in French railway traffic: 140 million reservations were expected in 1995 compared with 40 million one decade before. But as soon as it was introduced, SOCRATE generated chaos in railway stations and it soon became a national issue. The conclusion of an investigation was that the system was not properly working and bad to be modified as soon as possible. How can it happen that on the one hand SABRE provided American Airlines with a competitive strategic advantage, but on the other hand its customized version, SOCRATE, led to a decrease in traffic of 5.9% for the first semester of 1993 for SNCF? Why can SOCRATE be regarded as one of the best examples of what should be avoided in the process of implementing a new system? Which main factors caused the poor image of SOCRATE in SNCF? Did the image of SNCF in French society change due to the introduction of SOCRATE? In the paper, the authors attempt to give answers to these questions. (16 pages)The use of transport telematics in inter-urban and rural bus services
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_19960442
This paper considers how transport telematics can be applied to the inter-urban and rural bus public transport industries. The nature of the industries are examined, and a clear distinction is drawn from urban services. It is noted that this sector consists of some 300000 bus units in Europe, and is a very large market for appropriate technology. To date, there has been very little use of advanced technology to support extra-urban bus services either for customer support or for system management. Based on work within the TEDEBUS Task Force, the functions which can be supported by transport telematics are identified and discussed. The relevant emerging and established technologies are then considered. A specific example is then provided based on the SAMPO project, an EU initiative which uses telematics systems to support demand responsive transport services. Demonstration sites are being established in five European countries covering rural and urban areas, and services are provided for both general public and special needs markets.Smartcards - the key to unlocking revenue growth
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_19960458
In the public transportation industry automatic fare collection (AFC) systems have traditionally played a role in protecting revenue for the transport operators and in reducing fraud. This paper presents an overview of AFC systems in use and planned, with particular emphasis on the use of contactless smartcards in this environment.The integration of airport electronic systems - how Heathrow is meeting the challenge
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_19960463
In 1995 Heathrow Airport, handled over 54 million passengers. A record that confirms its position as the world's busiest international airport. As airport owner and operator, Heathrow Airport Limited's (HAL) role is to provide of services and facilities to passengers and airlines. Taking Heathrow as an example, this paper seeks to explore the driving factors in producing a pan-airport multi-disciplinary strategy for electronic systems; how the conflicting issues were overcome to enable the move towards an integrated airport operations management system.Routes: London's computerised travel enquiry system
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_19960461
This paper describes London Transport's computerised travel enquiry system, known by the acronym ROUTES (Rail Omnibus Underground Travel Enquiry System). The ROUTES system contains all the information which trained enquiry staff at London Transport's telephone enquiry bureau and travel information centres need to respond to detailed questions about any journey by public transport in London. The system provides detailed itineraries from any location in London to any other, supported by complete timings, fares and ticketing information.London Underground's ticketing, past, present and future
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_19960457
In the 30 years since the initial introduction of magnetically encoded tickets in 1966, the railway ticketing systems have been the subject of dramatic changes. This paper discusses the basic reasons for, and against, the evolution from a piece of paper, through magnetic strip cards, to a smartcard using London Underground as the focus.Process documentation and improvement - a transition to the IT world
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/ic_19960819
The paper highlights some of the growth in process management experienced by AT&T (UK) during their startup year in the United Kingdom, 1995. As Project Manager for their Communications Services startup enterprise and Consultant on Process Development and Documentation, the author gained insight into the problems of applying existing processes from a well documented firm, AT&T (USA), to a new venture, AT&T Communications (UK). In addition, using the `Flowmap Professional' software developed by Management-NewStyle, we moved AT&T (UK) from a paper environment into the IT world, whereby process documentation could be shared and updated with all process owners over the LAN connecting the various AT&T (UK) offices. From this example we learned of the necessity to progress into a more dynamic environment. In this environment involved process owners would not only share files and updates to their processes, but actually create process improvements and secure customer supplier agreements in a virtual online environment. Further improvements would lead to dynamic monitoring of ongoing processes. The value of using quality management techniques coupled with process management documentation was proved conclusively. This experience points out the value gained by rigorously applying quality management principles to a startup organization. The lessons learned will benefit AT&T and will benefit process management professionals as they move forward to apply IT systems and applications to this management discipline. (20 pages)Prestige - contactless smartcard ticketing on London Transport
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_19960455
This paper describes London Transport's Harrow Bus Smartcard Trial and the development of a challenging new project called “Prestige” (Procurement of Revenue Services) which has been initiated by London Transport to progress the procurement of a new revenue collection service for London's buses and Underground. The Harrow Trial has demonstrated that contactless smartcard technology is a feasible system for public transport ticketing and consultation with industry has not identified a convincing alternative. The business case for a new revenue collection system covering London's bus and Underground network has been agreed and procurement of the Prestige system is progressing in accordance with European Community procedures.A new generation of passenger information systems: a single core database and easy tools for consulting
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_19960459
Passenger information has always been considered as strategical for the RATP Company which transports about 8 million people daily for Paris and its surroundings. RATP decided to become more efficient in producing passenger information by creating a single core database and easy tools for consulting. The system developed, SUROIT, is described by the author. SUROIT has a huge core database gathering transport data collected from the suppliers' systems for all modes (trains, RER, underground, tramways and buses) in an open reference data base. This information is collected through different ways according to the supplier (networks, cartridges, disks, papers, etc.). The tools used for consulting the database are discussed and include a visual display route, videotex, CD-ROM, and interactive terminals.Paris' contactless smart-card for ticketing a telepayment system for pedestrian
http://dl-live.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/cp_19960456
The RATP transport network was among the first big transport companies to install an automatic fare collection system, with a magnetic ticket under the Edmonson format (66×30 mm). This system, more than 20 years old, has now reached its point of obsolescence. Moreover, it can't meet the new ticketing needs which are: reduction of fraud by introducing systematic validation in the buses (revalidation of the ticket for each journey) and by preventing duplicating tickets (the low coercivity magnetic ticket can easily be duplicated nowadays); simplification of access in public transport; processing new tickets (the 64 bits of the Edmonson ticket have all been filled). To overcome these problems a system based on a smart card with a radio transmission to realize a contactless system, for which a specific study has been launched, is discussed. The testing of the system and its benefits are discussed.