AAZ PASSENGER
Page 24
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Computer controls dial-a-ride system
ALTHOUGH interest in diala-bus systems is waning in Britain due to the non-viability of most systems tried, West Germany is developing more sophisticated systems.
Messerschmidt-BolkowBlohm has developed, with the help of the German Federal Ministry of Research and Technology, a new type of dial-a-bus system designed to be readily available to traffic demands. The system is known as the R-bus. The R-bus system comprises a control centre with a computer that aytomatically assigns buses to routes and bus stops.
At each bus stop is a automatic destination selector and a ticket vending machine. The passenger selects a destination which is transmitted on the control centre computer. The computer relays back to the passenger the number of the next bus and the approximate time of departure.
All buses are directed to the necessary stops by a radio. operator at the central system.
This system has now entered public operation in the town of Wunsdorf near Hanover where public reaction and use is being checked. The system can lead to maximum utilisation of buses. Its disadvantages must be cost and the threat of vandalism to bus-stop installations.