IT Solutions for Public Transport

IT-TRANS to focus on security, real-time information and the networked passenger

Visitors to IT-TRANS can look forward to an expanded conference programme with more topics and world-class speakers, not to mention an even larger exhibition. A recent press conference, live-streamed on the internet, provided a closer look at the trends and topics of IT-TRANS.

"The importance of IT-TRANS as the leading international platform for IT solutions in public transport can be seen in the positive exhibitor response. Two and a half months before IT-TRANS, 146 exhibitors from 26 nations have registered, which means a larger area is already reserved now than the total exhibition space in 2012", reported Britta Wirtz, Managing Director of Karlsruher Messe- und Kongress-GmbH, pleased about the advance success of the event. The companies represented at the exhibition come from countries such as Australia, Belgium, China, France, the UK, Italy, Canada, Germany, Austria, Poland, Romania, Sweden and the USA. All of the biggest names in the industry will attend the event, including accenture, Atron, Cubic, GIRO, Siemens, IVU Traffic Technologies, highQ, Höft & Wessel and many more. IT-TRANS will take place at Karlsruhe Trade Fair Center between 18 and 20 February 2014. It is organised by Karlsruher Messe- und Kongress-GmbH and the International Association of Public Transport (UITP).

 Door-to-door solutions for "smart" and networked passengers

Where is the journey headed? What challenges does the latest information technology pose for public transport planners? Johan van Ieperen, UITP Information Technology, Innovation and Service Industry Manager, explained the demands that are already being placed on the public transport sector and what awaits it in the future. Passengers have to be seen as "smart" travellers who are networked online. "Today, our (potential) customers have an abundance of data, information and services available to help them make informed decisions. They expect a simple, intelligent but meaningful dialogue", emphasised van Ieperen. The travel information provided forms the basis for this dialogue with the customer. It needs to be intelligent and comprehensible to make public transport the preferred option for the traveller.

In addition, passengers expect mobility solutions to take them practically from door to door. That means that attractive mobility solutions should also include options for car sharing and bike sharing and provide information on pedestrian and bicycle routes. Ticketing is another area which presents a major challenge for public transport providers. Here passengers also expect simple and intelligent solutions in the form of interoperable, mobile and cross-border services.

International experts present security-related topics

Olaf Strotkötter of VBK Karlsruhe, member of the UITP Security Commission, presented the IT-TRANS 2014 security topics at the online press conference. "At IT-TRANS, international security experts will debate the topics of intelligent surveillance systems and cyber security and will present best practices." Speakers will include international cyber security expert Ralph Langner; Ricardo Ortega of TMB Barcelona, Spain; Thomas Kritzer of Wiener Linien, Austria, and Nelson Escravana of INOV, Portugal. The EU's SECUR-ED project is a further highlight among the security-related topics. "The aim of the project is to carry out live demonstrations and tests of a variety of security solutions in real operating environments", explained Strotkötter. The project's partners include UITP, RATP Paris, Deutsche Bahn, ATM Milan, CRTM Madrid and STIB Brussels as well as industry players and research institutes.

Real-time information: the key to optimized transport planning

"Because road and rail networks are finite, the great challenge facing us is in traffic optimisation – based on real-time planning", emphasised Miller Crockart, Vice President Traffic Software Sales & Marketing, PTV Group. "Real-time information plays a key role in transport planning and optimisation. However, this information is not yet even close to being used to a degree that would give us optimal traffic management." Crockart sketched a forward-looking vision of demand-based planning for public transport, one in which different players in the public transport, business and logistics sectors share their data on traffic volumes.

Information: www.it-trans.org