Cityspace brings the digital waiting experience to Kent Fastrack
29 March 2006
Real-time travel information delivered through state-of-the-art 'Smart' street furniture provides an unparalleled passenger waiting experience as part of the multi-million pound Kent Thameside Fastrack scheme in the Thames Gateway
Cityspace, the UK's leading provider of urban digital networks, today announces the unveiling of its latest digital transport network which forms an integral part of Fastrack, the new bus rapid transit public transport system launching this week in Kent Thameside, funded by Kent County Council, the Department of Transport and the ODPM.
Delivering real-time travel information and interactive journey planning services via in-shelter 'Smart Panels' and stand alone 'Smart Columns', the digital transport network presents a state-of-the-art passenger waiting experience as part of the Kent Thameside regeneration scheme.
Working in partnership with ACIS, the UK's leading provider of real-time passenger information, the service is operated through a wireless broadband network, delivering travel information and interactive services to the 16 shelters and two Smart Columns along the first phase of the Fastrack. This high bandwidth wireless network allows for uninterrupted communication of real-time travel information without the need for cabling or costs related to fixed line telephony systems.
Integrated into the Adshel Landmark Bow bus shelters, the Cityspace Smart Panels present a TV-style LCD flat screen facing into the shelter, delivering continual real-time updates on Fastrack and other buses due, whilst showing up-to-the-minute BBC News headlines. Both the shelters and Smart Columns incorporate touch screen terminals providing passengers with free access to interactive travel and other useful information services, including:
Journey planning - a comprehensive public transport service covering the South East and London with a print service for hard copies of journey plans and maps
Local area maps - providing a 'you are here' facility with a search and print option
Train departure information - real-time local train departure information
BBC travel news - providing information on transport disruptions which may affect journeys
Free email - an easy and fast facility for passengers to email family or colleagues whilst on the move
"We need to persuade people to use public transport if we are to achieve our objective and create a sustainable community where people can live, work and pursue leisure without having to rely on a car", says David George, Kent Thameside's Fastrack Project Manager. "Being able to offer an attractive and informed journey experience is therefore critically important. The digital network provided by Cityspace plays an integral role in helping to deliver a vastly improved integrated public transport system for Kent Thameside"
"Cityspace is delighted to be involved in this ground-breaking public transport project," says Guy Wolfenden, Transport Director, Cityspace.
"Improvement of the passenger waiting experience underpins our entire transport philosophy and the Kent Thameside Fastrack scheme provides a real opportunity to showcase the benefits of integrated digital transport networks within the wider context of long term regeneration and sustainability."
The high bandwidth nature of the wireless network makes it an ideal mechanism to support further services, which are under consideration, including:
• Enhanced CCTV within the shelters to improve public safety across the network
• Traffic lights and variable message sign communication links to reduce the costs of running fixed line communications to existing on-street controllers
• VOIP - Voice over Internet Protocol links from each shelter to a travel call centre or the emergency services
• Cashless ticketing
The first Fastrack service
began on Sunday 26 March, linking Garrick Street Gravesend with Northfleet,
Swanscombe, Greenhithe, Darent Valley Hospital, Bluewater and Dartford,
the new service runs every 10 minutes during most of the day.
Ends.
Notes to editors
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About Cityspace
Cityspace is a UK-based technology company, which has been providing urban digital networks in partnership with local authorities since 1996. It is the market leader in designing and delivering local information and digital services to public spaces through its three divisions; Cityspace Interactive Media, Cityspace Transport and Cityspace Wireless, which each offer pioneering product and service portfolios in their respective markets.
Cityspace Interactive Media's flagship products, iPlus Points, offer free-to-use, compelling content via a touch screen at almost 400 locations across the UK. Useful services include free email (Freemail), BBC News and web search to complement each local authority's digital information services.
In 2004 Cityspace Transport launched a 'world first' digital transport network for Portsmouth City Council, in collaboration with several technology and bus operator partners. Further major projects followed, including the pioneering Kent Fastrack initiative and a collaboration with First Group in York City in 2006.
Cityspace Wireless designs and delivers outdoor wireless broadband networks for mobility, fixed infrastructure and resale. Specialising in wide-area 'hotzones' this year the division implemented the UK's largest such hotzone on behalf of Islington Council, stretching along 4km of the borough's main thoroughfare, from Upper Street to Holloway Road.
Cityspace has developed urban digital networks for over 50 UK local authorities and international implementations include Moscow, Sweden and Brussels. -
For further information, please contact:
Sophia Henri
Cityspace PR
Tel: +44 (0)20 7313 8428
Email:
www.cityspace.com
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