THE ROLE OF NEW TECHNOLOGY IN PASSENGER INFORMATION SYSTEMS. DESIGN AND APPLICATION OF EDP SOFTWARE IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT WITH ASSISTANCE FROM PUBLIC AUTHORITIES

The study looks at the present role of in the provision of passenger information, the development of future plans, and the benefits both for operators and customers. The different types of information are divided into three categories and respectively dealt with: 1. off-system information (information given in advance to the passenger about the service to be expected when the journey is made); 2. fixed-on system information (information given at the time of travel about operated services) and 3. variable on-system information (information given while the journey is being made about how the service is running). The term new technology in this Study means f.i. the following systems: Teletext, videotext, data retrieval systems, etc. The study concerning the use of EDP software in public transportation contains information about the German BISON system. BISON stands for Betriebsfuehrungs- und Informationssystem fuer den Oeffentlichen Verkehr. Aims of BISON, its cost-effectiveness, implementation plan, areas of application are highlighted. The solutions in the Netherlands (magnetic card system), Canada, Germany, UK, and US are described.