Vehicle location & control system to be supplied to Johannesburg Roads Agency
Please Note:
In November 2009, the Public Transit Solutions division of Continental AG became part of Trapeze Group.
Vehicle location & control system to be supplied to Johannesburg Roads Agency supplies solution for efficient control systems to South Africa In the coming year, the spotlight will be on South Africa, where the 19th final round of the FIFA World Cup will be held from June 11th through July 11th, 2010. In order to move the vast number of soccer fans rapidly, safely, and conveniently to the stadiums, the city is engaging in a major expansion of its public transit services. Continental – Public Transit Solutions with headquarters in Neuhausen, Switzerland, is supporting a new and trend-setting urban transit project by supplying a cutting-edge, computerized vehicle location & control system.
In about 400 days, the biggest sport event ever to be held on the African continent will be a reality. Even now, major capital investments in the country’s infrastructure are apparent in South Africa – in the form of new stadiums, hotels, and airport expansions as well as in the area of public passenger transport. The pride that the South Africans are taking in “their soccer world championship” is tangible. They are making every conceivable effort to turn this event into a full success.
Improved public transit services in Johannesburg
To improve the existing public transport infrastructure and in order to deal with the expected high number of visitors during the event, the City of Johannesburg launched a Bus Rapid Transit (or BRT) project called Rea Vaya (We are moving) at the start of this year. The project comprises the building of a completely new bus network which in the future will form the backbone of its urban public transport system. Among other things, the network includes bus rapid transit services with dedicated bus lanes in the street center. It will allow unobstructed bus travel in and around Johannesburg, with about 25 kilometers in place as soon as the first stage of extension will be completed. By the time the FIFA World Cup starts in the summer of 2010, another 65 kilometers will have been added. Until 2013 it is intended to enlarge this system to a distance of altogether 122 kilometers. In April 2009, the Johannesburg Roads Agency awarded Questek Transit Technologies and its partner Continental – Public Transit Solutions the contract for the supply and installation of an Advanced Public Transport Management System, the first of its kind in South Africa. This new computer-controlled vehicle location & control system focuses on planning, driver dispatch, passenger information, and fleet management. Its main benefits are shorter travelling times in conjunction with better planning, improved operational service, and enhanced safety.
Marked increase in the quality of services
The Rea Vaya network will initially feature 150 stations, eight bus terminals, and six depots. Of the 1255 vehicles that are planned, the first 143 have already been ordered from the manufacturers – Scania (chassis) and Marcopolo (body). In the near future, feeder lines will move passengers to the stops of these rapid transit buses. This new bus network is expected to transport about 430,000 persons daily. All vehicles will be controlled and coordinated by the vehicle location & control system supplied by Continental. In the future this major expansion step will speed up the flow of public urban passenger transport and – thanks to enhanced attractiveness – reduce the use of private individual transport.
In its function as system integrator, Continental – Public Transit Solutions will also design the interfaces with already existing components such as passenger information systems at stops, traffic light controls, and on-board passenger information displays. In addition, the system will integrate the video cameras in all buses, improving passenger safety.
This contract received from South Africa will strengthen the position of Continental – Public Transit Solutions as a global leader.
Within its new project on the field of public transport the city of Johannesburg assigned Continental
with the installation of an efficient control systems for a new bus rapid transit system (BRT).
Contact
Matthias Stahel, Head of Communications, Phone +41 58 911 17 39,
Email: matthias.stahel@continental-corporation.com
Public Transit Solutions
Continental Automotive Switzerland AG, which is headquartered in Neuhausen, is a leading global
provider of solutions for public urban passenger transport. The company offers public transport
authorities extensive operating and information systems which enhance punctuality, reduce travel
times, increase the precision of connections, and provide dynamic passenger information.
Internationally present, the company develops, produces, and integrates high-quality operation
control systems, on-board computers, passenger information displays, and customized services in
close cooperation with its customers. The company operates branch offices in Germany, the United
Kingdom, Poland, and the U.S. and has some 500 employees. Continental Automotive Switzerland
AG is a member of the Continental Group, a leading global vendor to the automotive industry.