There have been improvements to the technology driving buses, streetcars and subways, as well as improvements to the operating support systems, fleet tracking and localization, access control solutions, public information systems, signage, safety and ticketing.

Technology has become increasingly important in the transportation sector, advancing innovations in automation, control, and supervision of routes. This connection will only increase, according to José Morollón of Eyp Scap, a company that specializes in communication and control products for urban transportation. Technology has helped advance breaking control and vehicle stability, says Morollón, along with the use of GPS navigation and positioning devices, which “make it possible to predict waiting time.” He adds, “We’ve seen message panels installed on streets and highways to provide useful information, such as accidents or recommended [alternate] routes.”

Morollón sees this trend on the rise, with new devices being created to facilitate urban transport. Spanish companies are at the cutting edge of this sector for both domestic and international markets.

Management and Control

The complexity of city streets, with increased traffic from cars and bus fleets, have made what are known as Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) essential tools in relieving urban congestion. The operating systems behind ITS combines the latest advances in information technology and telecommunications to communicate in real-time with a control center, regularly updating the whereabouts of a given bus or train.

This information was first used solely for locating vehicles, but as technology in mobile radio communication systems has advanced, the features of these operating systems have advanced as well. The latest generation of operating systems allows for cross-referencing vehicle data with other information, such as accidents and and with ticketing information.

The Etra Group has recently rolled out the company’s latest transportation operating system, known as the e-Bus, for the 2200 buses that make up Madrid’s municipal transportation service. According to Etra Group transportation division manager Javier Núñez-Flores, this system allows for the control of ticketing, vehicle location, alarm control, video surveillance, and many other related technologies on a single platform.

Currently, the Etra Group manages more 7,000 city buses in Spain and more than 1,300 vehicles in Bogotá, Colombia.

Another Spanish company dedicated to providing management systems for public transportation is GMV. To date, it has operation systems in more than 30 Spanish cities, managing more than 4,000 vehicles. The GMV system, which uses advanced geographic information systems (GIS) and mobile communications, features a multi-fleet, multi-operator platform. Depending on client needs, GMV offers three categories: simplified, web-based and complete.

Ikusi, headquartered in San Sebasian in northern Spain, has also developed an operating system, the latest version of which is providing comprehensive management for the new bus depot in Pamplona. The solution developed by Ikusi combines security with the operating, parking and public information systems.

There have been improvements to the technology driving buses, streetcars and subways, as well as improvements to the operating support systems, fleet tracking and localization, access control solutions, public information systems, signage, safety and ticketing.

Technology has become increasingly important in the transportation sector, advancing innovations in automation, control, and supervision of routes. This connection will only increase, according to José Morollón of Eyp Scap, a company that specializes in communication and control products for urban transportation. Technology has helped advance breaking control and vehicle stability, says Morollón, along with the use of GPS navigation and positioning devices, which “make it possible to predict waiting time.” He adds, “We’ve seen message panels installed on streets and highways to provide useful information, such as accidents or recommended [alternate] routes.”

Morollón sees this trend on the rise, with new devices being created to facilitate urban transport. Spanish companies are at the cutting edge of this sector for both domestic and international markets.

Management and Control

The complexity of city streets, with increased traffic from cars and bus fleets, have made what are known as Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) essential tools in relieving urban congestion. The operating systems behind ITS combines the latest advances in information technology and telecommunications to communicate in real-time with a control center, regularly updating the whereabouts of a given bus or train.

This information was first used solely for locating vehicles, but as technology in mobile radio communication systems has advanced, the features of these operating systems have advanced as well. The latest generation of operating systems allows for cross-referencing vehicle data with other information, such as accidents and and with ticketing information.

The Etra Group has recently rolled out the company’s latest transportation operating system, known as the e-Bus, for the 2200 buses that make up Madrid’s municipal transportation service. According to Etra Group transportation division manager Javier Núñez-Flores, this system allows for the control of ticketing, vehicle location, alarm control, video surveillance, and many other related technologies on a single platform.

Currently, the Etra Group manages more 7,000 city buses in Spain and more than 1,300 vehicles in Bogotá, Colombia.

Another Spanish company dedicated to providing management systems for public transportation is GMV. To date, it has operation systems in more than 30 Spanish cities, managing more than 4,000 vehicles. The GMV system, which uses advanced geographic information systems (GIS) and mobile communications, features a multi-fleet, multi-operator platform. Depending on client needs, GMV offers three categories: simplified, web-based and complete.

Ikusi, headquartered in San Sebasian in northern Spain, has also developed an operating system, the latest version of which is providing comprehensive management for the new bus depot in Pamplona. The solution developed by Ikusi combines security with the operating, parking and public information systems.