An overview of networks between control systems (workshop)
Results of the workshop held on 20th-21st April 2005
1. Introduction
On 20th and 21st April 2005, a workshop on creating networks between control systems took place in Bonn at the Federal Ministry for Transport, Building and Urban Affairs. The hosts were VDV (Association of German Transport Companies), the Ministry and BLIC. Around 100 representatives of transport companies, transport associations and manufacturers took part. The aim of the event was to exchange experiences with the relatively new interface VDV 453 „AVM integration interface” (multi-company dynamic passenger information and connection reliability) and its extension VDV 454 „AVM integration interface for timetable information“ (multi-company dynamic timetable information) and to provide the participants with new ideas and tips. A large number of presentations based on practical experience were given by transport companies, transport associations, manufacturers and consultants and these were followed by lively discussions. The most important results are presented below.
2. Results
2.1 Integrating VDV 453 and VDV 454 into a new European CEN standard
National norms and standards for interfaces between different systems currently play an important role in the daily operations of local public transport services as well as in tender procedures and purchasing processes. But as Europe becomes more and more closely integrated in terms of cross-border services and with a view towards a pan-European supplier and purchaser market, more extensive Europe-wide standardization is desirable. As a consequence, VDV standards 453 and 454 were used in a European standardization process led by CEN (Comité Européen de Normalisation). French, British, Scandinavian and German experts met to develop a common standard that integrated the individual national standards as far as possible. Almost all VDV 453 and 454 specifications were integrated into the draft of the CEN standard entitled SIRI (Service Interface for Real Time Information). It was only necessary to replace some of the terms used in the English versions of VDV standards 453 and 454 with terms from the European data model Transmodel.
However, SIRI contains much more than the VDV standards: while it was possible to agree on the specification of necessary data elements in the VDV standards, the CEN standard had to consider the requirements of many countries. This led to a much larger set of (optional) data elements. But at the same time, functions were added which are almost certain to be useful in Germany in the future.
In May 2005, the draft for the European equivalent of VDV 453 and 454 was submitted to the CEN TC 278 approval process under the name of SIRI. The participants hope that the official final version will be available as a technical specification from the end of 2005.
2.2 Experience with VDV 453
Experience in Hamburg
Although VDV 453 was finalized relatively recently and has not been on the market long, it has already found wide acceptance, as is shown by the many projects in which it has been applied. As an example, PSI reported on the application of VDV 453 in the interface between regional and urban transport services in Hamburg. The transport companies involved are HHA (Hamburger Hochbahn), VHH and PVG (Verkehrsbetriebe Hamburg-Holstein / Pinneberger Verkehrsgesellschaft) and the city railway. The manufacturers are PSI, Siemens-VDO and HanseCom. The three modules to be implemented were DFI (dynamic passenger information), ANS (connection reliability) and VIS (visualization). The system went into productive operation four years after the first cooperation discussions, VDV 453 having been developed in parallel.
The implementation of VDV 453 for HAA and VHH / PVG provided a number of functionalities. In the control center, functions are available to represent, color and display additional information on vehicles from the other companies. Journeys by other companies can be shown on the passenger information displays as planned and actual data, and the control center of the other company can add special texts. A function to quickly delete “other company” vehicles was made possible by a separate radio receiver in the passenger information displays. Functions to secure inter-company connections include planned/unplanned connections, marking of “other company” vehicles in color, automated or manual securing of connections and connection statistics including connections with other companies.
In the case of the city railway, the most important aspect was connection reliability. At the moment, this is still realized by means of a proprietary interface which is to be replaced by VDV 453 in the future. The necessary information is communicated to the driver by fixed-location displays (in future, displays inside vehicles) or by radio.
It was pointed out that because of the complexity of the systems involved and the sometimes differing operational technology, implementation is not always problem-free. However, thanks to good cooperation by all those involved, all the problems could be overcome.
Experience in Brandenburg and Mönchengladbach
The transport companies PVG (Personenverkehrsgesellschaft Schwendt/Angermünde) and NVV (Niederrheinische Versorgung und Verkehr AG, Mönchengladbach) reported on two further areas of application of VDV 453 (interconnection of control centers and coupling between AVM and traffic management systems).
– Brandenburg
First, the network established by four transport companies in north-eastern Brandenburg was presented. Common infrastructure is used to make standardized multi-company passenger information and connection reliability possible, and costs for support functions are reduced through common dispatching. The technical solution used to achieve these objectives consists of a common central server (responsible for monitoring, connection reliability and control of dynamic passenger information functions), a standard communication system (in this case GSM/GPRS) and the common VDV 453 interface. However, each transport company remains responsible for its own data feeds and vehicle equipment, its own dispatcher workplaces, dynamic passenger information equipment and radio receivers for traffic signal influencing. Here, too, good cooperation was a key success factor.
– Mönchengladbach
NVV presented the network it has created between its own computer-aided operations management and acceleration system RBBL and a variety of other systems. The interfaces include an internal interface with the company’s depot management system, with Deutsche Bahn (German national railways), with neighboring transport companies and with the traffic management system jointly established by NVV and the city of Mönchengladbach. This network was set up with the aim of improving punctuality, reliability and connection reliability; it also aims to speed up the local passenger transport system and provide better passenger information.
Improvements in the areas of passenger information and connection reliability are currently being implemented by four transport companies on the basis of VDV 453. The interconnections with the traffic management system contribute to improved punctuality, reliability and speed. The traffic management system supplies NVV with information about traffic flows in the road system and displays any road works. This data is used for forecasting by the RBBL system and is also used for passenger information purposes. The improvements in punctuality have been confirmed by correlating traffic congestion data with bus delays.
Cooperation with the German railway system DB
Many transport companies wish that the departure times of DB trains could be shown on dynamic passenger information displays in relevant areas (e.g. at central bus stations) in addition to the departure times of their own vehicles. This is very helpful for customers, and it is even better for customers if their bus waits until their delayed train has arrived. This is why securing connections at bus / train interchange points is very desirable. Individual solutions have already been realized and presented (between transport companies in Hamburg and the city railway and between trains and buses in north-east Brandenburg). In order to provide a standard system, DB has now developed a technical solution that uses VDV 453. The relevant interface is known as an RIS connection. The railway system presented its concept for cooperation with other transport companies.
DB offers rights to use its data on three levels based on function and cost. On the first level, DB data can only be used for dispatching and information functions for the purpose of securing connections. This data can be used free of charge and will be available from 2005 onwards. The second level allows the data to be used for information systems (once-only fixed price depending on the number of stops, available from 2005). The third level provides data for companies that have no transport or cooperation contracts with DB (public authorities and major transport associations normally have such contracts with DB). This level is expected to be available from 2008/09 and there will be a yearly fixed price depending on the number of stops. DB justifies the charges with the development costs it has incurred and its obligation to operate in a cost-effective manner.
2.3 Statements and comments on VDV 453
All the manufacturers who took part in the discussion (in this case Atron, DB Systems, Init, IVU, PSI, Siemens, T-Systems) have experience in implementing the interface. The interface is well established and is considered to be very practicable. More than 50 transport companies in Germany and many foreign firms are realizing or have realized the VDV 453 interface. Experience so far has been positive and encourages others to use the interface.
2.4 Statements and comments on VDV 454
Experience in the Ruhr area and in Berlin-Brandenburg
Two projects were presented in connection with multi-company dynamic online timetable information and the application of VDV 454. In the west, the Ruhr area sees itself as a “region in motion” that needs the assistance of the Ruhrpilot traffic management system. In the east, in Berlin-Brandenburg, VBB (Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg) is developing a state-wide electronic timetable information system. Brief presentations of these projects follow, starting with the Ruhrpilot.
– Ruhr area
The Ruhr area is known for its very high population density. Each town merges into the next, and traffic densities are correspondingly high. Projekt Ruhr GmbH aims to improve traffic management by interlinking local passenger transport services and individual transportation. The heart of the project is the dynamic online information system for individual transportation, public transport services and inter-modal routes. A variety of systems is to be interconnected. Data from AVM systems, from the DB travel information system RIS and from the automated operations systems of the transport companies are integrated with data from traffic computers, parking guidance systems and road works data, i.e. data from the area of individual transportation. The data is prepared for presentation and made available for travelers to use online. It will enable travelers to plan their journeys with the best possible means of transport (fastest route) at any given time.
– Berlin-Brandenburg
In Berlin-Brandenburg, a state-wide online timetable information system is to be created by integrating data from 11 systems (mostly AVMs). Current data for passenger information and connection purposes will be exchanged via VDV 453 or 454. DB Regio is involved as a cooperation partner and will make data from its RIS system available. Data from all the partners will be pre-processed in a central server and integrated into the VBB timetable information system „VBB-Fahrinfo“. Initially, the Internet and web-based departure boards will be the means of communication available to the customer. Later, customers will be able to use mobile phones and PDAs. One important part of the VBB project is to integrate other rail transport services into the overall concept.
Statements by manufacturers
The manufacturers (here HaCon, hbt, IVV and mdv) presented the technical possibilities for dynamic online passenger information systems and illustrated these with real-life examples. The functional scope of VDV 454 is considered to be sufficiently comprehensive. VDV 454-based projects are currently being realized in Germany, e.g. by VBB and HHA. Germany’s neighbors Switzerland (SBB), Austria (ÖBB) and Denmark already have country-wide dynamic online information systems. The technology is available and passengers want this service, so there is no reason why such systems should not be realized.
2.5 Statements on VDV 423
The aim of VDV 423 (digital operational/trunked radio in local passenger transport services) is to standardize timetables and duty rosters, network structures and hardware components. This will enable companies and transport associations to operate transparently and achieve considerable savings in infrastructure and personnel costs. The creators of VDV 423 recommend exploring the potential of VDV 423 in a pilot project.
3. Summary
The many real-life examples demonstrate the importance of the subject of networked management systems and the functions resulting from them (multi-company dynamic passenger information and connection reliability, integration/visualization of “other company” vehicles, sharing of control centers, dynamic timetable information …). The examples also show how successfully projects can be realized when cooperation is good and how much local passenger transport services can benefit. Multi-company dynamic passenger information and connection reliability, integration of DB data, networks between control centers, use of a common AVM system, sharing of control center tasks and interconnections between AVM and traffic management systems are now state-of-the art. Transport companies, transport associations and manufacturers are clearly moving in the right direction.
The very positive reactions of the participants included requests for follow-up workshops on this subject.
Photos from the workshop (in a new window!):
Photo album
