The goal of this project was to develop and supply information services to passengers traveling in buses. These services included displaying news and entertainment information, and providing  inter-modality information (travel assistance), interactive services, as well as Internet access to passengers using the internal wireless network of the bus. A multi-technology communications system was developed for that purpose. Other secondary objectives of the project included deploying a pilot in 11 STCP buses operating in a bus line, running tests in the pilot with bus passengers, and evaluating the technical and financial viability of the developed solutions.

The project came to be as a result of the idea of providing Internet access and network based services to metropolitan buses and their passengers, improving their travel experience. Internet access on buses makes it possible to support dynamic advertisement and information, updated in real time through the Internet. The buses are interconnected through a network and also their passengers' terminals are connected to the Internet.

The SITME project proposed an innovative product and business model, with capacity for export, targeting the metropolitan transportation market. Other than improving the quality of the service provided to passengers, the project introduced technological innovations related to the communications network and the on-board entertainment system.

A communications equipment for public transport use was developed as part of the project. This equipment is capable of  intelligently switching between various wireless network technologies such as 3G, WiFi or WiMax, ensuring service continuity and maximum bandwidth during the entire route. This communication system can also be used by transport operators to implement services such as video surveillance or support services to the vehicle drivers, thus contributing to a safer and more efficient management of the public transport network.

The communications architecture developed is ready to be extended to trains, trams, taxis and subways, allowing passengers to use the service continuously during a trip that includes different types of transports, thus adapting to itself to intermodality scenarios.

Studies were conducted to assess the market potential and the commercialisation of the systems developed. These studies resulted in a business model that aims to facilitate and ensure that the system  is well received on the  market.

Finally, Xarevison, the leader of the consortium, has developed a system for dynamic and autonomous management of georeferenced video contents (information, entertainment and advertising). The display of these contents made it possible to reduce travel time perception, providing further added value to the passenger by presenting information updated in real time with latest news.

Project leader: Xarevision, SA

Partners:

• Xarevision, SA 
• INESC TEC 
• Universidade do Porto - Faculdade de Engenharia 
• Universidade do Porto - Faculdade de Economia

Financial support: The project is a National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) initiative and was funded by the European Union - European Regional Development Fund through the PO Norte. The project was also supported by ELO – Sistemas de Informação, ISGUS (ELO Ibérica S.A.), ONI and the Porto Digital company.

News article here

Poster: SITMe