Bus-tracking GPS tech trialled in Swindon

Swindon is spending almost a million pounds on a new real-time information system for buses to improve reliability and to allow passengers to receive the latest timetable information at bus stops, on the internet and on their mobile phones.

Initially the technology will be used on around 90 buses, at 50 bus stops and at 20 traffic-light junctions on one of the main bus routes through the town, although the system will have capacity for it to be expanded to up to 500 buses and 400 bus stops.

The technology will use automatic vehicle location to track the buses in real-time and to provide live and up-to-date timetable information on electronic displays at bus stops, on the internet and via mobile phones and text messages.

The system will also use "selective vehicle detection" at traffic light junctions to change the lights and give buses priority passage. This involves GPS satellite technology to determine the location of the bus and its priority status depending on whether it is on time or running late.

A late-running bus will have a higher priority status and the on-board transmitter will communicate this information directly to the traffic light or the central traffic signal control centre. This means the sequence of the lights can be managed to give the bus priority by, for example, skipping a phase or extending the green signal to allow the bus through.

The four-year contract has been awarded to Advanced Communication and Information Systems but Swindon Borough Council said the full scope of the project has yet to be finalised and that future phases "will depend on price system performance and future decisions regarding funding".

Transport for London is spending £116m installing a similar real-time information and tracking system across 8,000 buses across the capital by 2009 as part of its iBus project.