Focus on Passenger Information Systems (PIS): how can they be connected to an operations supervision solution?

Display screens, loudspeakers, wind vanes... there are many passenger information systems on board public transport vehicles. But how does this equipment work? Can they be connected to a operations supervision solution? Find out in this article.

What is a Passenger Information System (PIS)?

An on-board visual and audio system

PIS stands for « Passenger Information System ». A PIS is an on-board system installed in public transport vehicles (buses, coaches, streetcars, etc.). It is used to inform passengers about their transportation conditions.

PIS are also known as « on-board audio and visual information systems ». Passenger information is both visual - broadcast on screens - and audible - relayed via loudspeakers.

Historically, the information broadcast was basic: the screens displayed the direction and number of the line being used. Over time, the information has become richer and more dynamic. It includes information on the next stop, the journey time to destination, and a line diagram. In some cases, dynamic multimedia content enriches the information.

A legal obligation

Today, the vast majority of buses and coaches operating on regular routes in France are equipped with an PIS system. This is a legal requirement, defined by the decree of May 3, 2007, amending the decree of July 2, 1982, on public passenger transportation, and in particular its Annex 11. This obligation is often referred to in the industry as "Annex 11".

This legal obligation applies exclusively to regular routes. It is not compulsory in France for school coaches to be fitted with PIS. The decree aims to facilitate access to public transportation for people with disabilities, particularly visual or hearing impairments. As a result, PIS enable a certain amount of information to be broadcast visually and audibly in the vehicle.

How does a PIS work?

Several types of equipment are required to set up a passenger information system:

Displays for passengers on the outside of the vehicle, called "girouettes":

Wind vanes are used to indicate the bus's route and destination to passengers at the stop. There are often three of them: a large one at the front of the vehicle, and two smaller ones on the right-hand side next to the door and at the rear.

Bus photo with SEIPRA Score - Aesys wind vanes (source https://www.aesys.com/)

Passenger Information Display System (PIDS)

Bus-interior displays, such as illuminated strips or TFT screens, inform passengers on board the vehicle, particularly about the next stop.

Lumiplan on-board TFT display (source https://www.lumiplan.com/)

Speakers:

Loudspeakers inform passengers inside the vehicle with an audible indication.

Destination Controllers

Destination controllers allow the driver to select a mission at the start of the trip, in order to initialize the system.

Photo of a Hanover Displays weather vane console (source https://www.hanoverdisplays.com/)

PIS computer:

The PIS computer is in fact an on-board computer that controls the screens and speakers. It centralizes the mission information indicated by the driver. Based on a predefined program, it determines the data to be displayed on the vehicle's various screens and loudspeakers. The PIS computer can be connected to the Internet to facilitate parameter setting and provide maintenance information. The PIS computer can be connected to the operation management platform console and other on-board vehicle equipment as required.

Photo of an Aesys SIV computer (source https://www.aesys.com/)

How do you integrate PIS into an operations supervision solution?

Operation management platform and PIS: a double takeover

Normally, a driver starting his or her shift should perform a double stroke: on the one hand, on his CAD/AVL console - such as a tablet or smartphone - to start the driver assistance system, and on the other hand, on his PIS console to reset the passenger information terminals.

A solution: interconnection

Interconnection between the supervision solution and PIS on-board systems eliminates the need for the driver to enter data twice. This saves time for the driver, and avoids errors or forgotten entries. Another advantage: in a number of cases, it is the supervision solution that manages driver services. In other words, the interface enables the driver to connect to the supervision solution on-board system just once, at the start of the day, when he or she takes up duty. He is then automatically connected to the PIS throughout the day, and has no further operations to perform.

So, how does it work?

For supervision solution and PIS to be interconnected, the code - a unique race identifier - must be transmitted between the systems. In the vast majority of cases, it is the operation management platform that transmits the race code to the SIV.

Depending on the supplier, it may be possible to link the supervision solution to the PIS onboard systems in two different ways:

By wireless connection, by connecting to the network via a WIFI router,
Or by wired connection.

SIV suppliers

With its Driver application for drivers, Pysae directly integrates communications protocols with PIS equipment from suppliers Lumiplan, SEIPRA Score and Hanover Displays.

Lumiplan

Lumiplan, a French company and European leader in passenger information, has been designing mobility information solutions for over 45 years.

With over 4,000 customers and a presence in more than 20 countries worldwide, Lumiplan generates sales of 45 million euros - 30% of which is exported. The group employs 240 people.

For further information, visit www.lumiplan.com.

SEIPRA Score

Founded in 1982, SEIPRA Score is based in Dardilly, near Lyon. SEIPRA Score offers a comprehensive range of on-board and stationary passenger information systems for public transportation networks: bus, coach, tramway, train...

SEIPRA Score is a member of the Aesys Spa group, an international manufacturer of Italian origin with subsidiaries in Europe, India, Brazil and the USA.

To meet the expectations of its international clientele based in Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and the French overseas departments and territories, SEIPRA Score has extended all its services to the export market: installation, commissioning, follow-up and maintenance.

More information on www.seiprascore.com

Hanover Displays

Since 1985, Hanover has specialized in the design, development and manufacture of on-board electronic passenger information systems (PIS) designed specifically for public transport.

In particular, Hanover offers the following information media: monochrome and color outdoor electronic weather vanes, indoor illuminated strips (or newspapers), TFT multimedia screens, on-board computers, including audible announcements, and diode, LCD or TFT passenger information terminals (PITs).

Hanover has already supplied over 200,000 units to numerous urban and interurban transport networks.

Pysae interface now with Hanover Displays, learn more here.

More information on www.hanoverdisplays.com

<div class="div-block-1234 less_margin">
<p class="paragraph-73">Pysae, a leading provider of SaaS solutions for managing operations in the public transport sector, offers continuous support to its customers. We provide them with dependable and precise data on their operations, enhanced GPS navigation for bus drivers, and real-time information to enhance passenger experience.</p>
<a href="https://web.pysae.com/en/schedule-a-demo?utm_source=Website&utm_medium=Blog" class="button_success_p_plain w-button" style="margin-top: 15px">Book a demo</a>
</div>