Journey Planning
Atkins is involved in a number of ITS projects aimed at providing travellers with journey planning information, whether for pre-trip or real-time information.
In many instances, this requires innovative thinking, especially where multi-modal journey planning is concerned. Increasingly in the UK, and often further afield, Atkins has been required to implement solutions to improve the journey planning services available to travellers. This has included:
- pre-trip planning or real-time information
- systems to collect data about the performance of road networks
- multi-modal journey planning software
- real-time bus and rail passenger information
- in-vehicle driver information
- travel plan software for businesses
- Internet, call centre and personal delivery options
- journey time information available (via VMS) to road network users.
The approach to implementing these systems has dramatically varied from project to project, depending on the client and their individual requirements. A bespoke service offering has often been necessary and depending on the various stakeholders involved, our way of working has also had to vary.
Atkins is responsible for many of the ‘park n ride’ schemes currently in operation in the UK as well as for a new scheme under trial by the Department for Transport (DfT) called ‘drive n cycle’, whereby users park their cars and cycle a specified distance to work.
Passenger information systems
In recent years, Atkins has worked with more than twenty-five local authorities in implementing real-time passenger information systems (RTPI) on local bus services. Our expertise and technology underpins Transport Direct, the DfT’s national journey planning web site (http://www.transportdirect.info) and several regional and local authority systems.
Additionally, we are currently supporting schemes in England and Wales which use VMS (Variable Message Signs) to give road users estimated journey times between specified routes.
Our ability to win work of this nature comes from a strong portfolio of past projects spanning local and national government as well as private operators. We have a wealth of experience in this area and continue to push the boundaries of what is possible by creating partnerships with academics and others promoting best practice and challenging the status quo.