Real-time Information System
Description
Real-time information (RTI) is technology that provides visibility of where buses, trains or ferries are along their journey, when they will arrive, and how many people are on board. RTI has become an integral part of the public transport customer experience world-wide. Customers depend on it to plan and undertake their journey. Public transport operators also depend on it to manage their delivery and monitor their performance.
Metlink first introduced a RTI system to display arrival times on digital signs in 2011 and continues to operate this today. Since 2016 RTI information has also been available on the Metlink website and app and through third party journey planning apps such as Google Maps. In 2018 the RTI system was modified to monitor bus operator performance. Soon after it was further developed to provide ‘open data’ that could be used by the third parties and the public.
Since Metlink introduced RTI, customers have become increasingly familiar with a variety of apps that make travelling easier, such as commonly used apps such as Google Maps and Uber. These have set increased expectations of accuracy and innovation that can’t be matched with the current RTI system. For instance, the current system’s predictions can be a couple of minutes late and will it often display a service as ‘DUE’ once it has already passed a bus stop. The contract for the current RTI system is also at an end, making the system difficult and expensive to maintain.
That’s why Metlink are investing in a new RTI system that enables Metlink to provide full-colour signs which as well as display arrival times, can display how full a bus is, service notifications and maps with live tracked vehicles. Later in 2025 the system will also be enabled to provide more accurate predictions about journey and arrival times on signs and online.
Partnerships
Greater Wellington’s Metlink and global technology firm NEC are partnering on the new technology. NEC New Zealand provides smart transport and other technology services for both government and corporate entities.
Benefits
Metlink are investing in a new RTI system that will enable Metlink to provide:
- Full-colour signs which can display arrival times.
- Maps with live tracked vehicles.
- Bus capacity icons show how full each bus service is.
- Service notifications and public service messages.
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Text to speech units at some bus stops for blind and visually impaired passengers. The new screens feature a push-button on the pole below the screens that reads aloud the bus stop name followed by upcoming service information.
- More accurate predictions about journey and arrival times on signs and online.
As well as making travel easier and more enjoyable for Metlink’s current customers, it will make using public transport more attractive and easier to adopt for new customers.
Behind the scenes, smarter technology and richer and more accurate data will also allow Metlink and its operators to better monitor, plan and deliver their services.
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Feedback
We would like your feedback. We are working to enhance the region’s public transport experience with the launch of new real-time information (RTI) screens on Manners Street and Willis Street. We are piloting the new screens across a number of bus stops and stations, including Willis Street, Manners Street, Plimmerton Station, Wellington Station, Upper Hutt Station, Wellington Airport, VUW The Living Pā and Ākau Tangi Sports Centre.