GOTEBORG, Sweden, July 3, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Volvo Mobility Systems, a telematics unit within the Volvo Group (Nasdaq:VOLVY) (Other OTC:VOLVF) (Other OTC:VOLAFK), has together with Norwegian system integrator Mobitech a/s delivered the first Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) and Real-time Passenger Information (RTPI) system in Norway. The customer, Tromso City, uses the system to provide travel information in real time to its passengers, and to monitor and control its city bus operations.
The city of Tromso operates a bus fleet of around 100 buses. The project includes the integration of 17 buses to the AVL/RTPI system delivered by Volvo, and using the commercially available public GPRS network for data communication. Eventually, the whole fleet of city buses will be linked to the system.
With this delivery, Tromso has acquired one of the most modern AVL/RTPI systems on the market. Major functionalities include automatic vehicle location, punctuality monitoring, two-way text messaging, automatic next- stop announcement, destination sign control. Real-time passenger information, such as departure forecasts, is shown to passengers at bus stop displays. Traffic controllers can monitor the actual status of the traffic on user-friendly Windows-based applications at the control center.
Volvo Mobility Systems' next-generation telematics system for public transport, ITS4mobility, is at the core of the system in Tromso. It is an event driven system based on GPS positioning in combination with dead reckoning and the capturing of door openings.
The Linux-based on-board computer of ITS4mobility is a major step forward when it comes to on-board electronics in buses. It integrates a full-color 5,5" TFT screen which displays ergonomically adapted information to the driver in ways that have not been possible until now. The driver interface has been developed together with HMI specialists and with active input from bus drivers. The Volvo on-board unit can be installed on any bus brand as a retrofit solution. When provided factory- installed in new Volvo buses, it gives further quality, cost-efficiency and functionality advantages as it is smoothly linked to the Volvo buses' own multiplex system.
The use of GPRS for data communication makes it possible to remotely log vehicles' status and download new timetables and software upgrades into specific vehicles from e.g. the supplier's home base, and thus lowering maintenance costs of such systems.
The central unit of ITS4mobility is already today tracking some 450 buses and trams in the city of Gothenburg, providing real-time passenger information to traffic controllers, information officers, and to passengers at more than 140 at-stop displays, but also via the Internet and wap. ITS4mobility can use any radio communications protocol, and can be installed for any size of fleet. It is based on a decade's experience from developing and maintaining real-time passenger information systems. Within short, the on-board unit of ITS4mobility will be installed in ferries operating in the public transport system of Gothenburg.
Tromso is a Norwegian city of some 75 000 inhabitants, located around 1600 km north of Oslo at a latitude of 70 North, one of the northern- most cities in the world. It has an annual average temperature of 2,5 C; with midnight sun from 21st May to 23rd July and complete darkness from 25th November to 21st January. It is affectionately known as "Paris of the North".
For further information, please contact Goran Varosy at +46 31 771 47 45
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