By the end of 2021, AMCON will deliver a total of 145 board units along with a comprehensive backend system and ITCS, as well as 20 advance sales solutions to Hameln. The pilot phase is set to begin in summer 2021. The complete solution — consisting of the backend system, board units, and ITCS (computer-supported operations control system) — is very extensive and includes features such as its own navigation system, voice communication via VoIP, quality management, and demand-responsive transport control through the backend system.
“We are pleased that AMCON has taken on this challenge and that we can expand our collaboration with this project. An intensive joint implementation phase awaits us until the end of the year to realize the VHP’s requests within this short timeframe,” says Arne Behrens, Managing Director of Verkehrsgesellschaft Hameln-Pyrmont (Öffis). Since Öffis and AMCON already cooperate in subscription management and fare surcharge (EBE) collection, the existing system will be expanded to include vehicle solutions, advance sales, and ITCS.
The project is funded with approximately €1.4 million from the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure’s “Digitization of Municipal Transport Systems” funding program. Verkehrsgesellschaft Hameln-Pyrmont GmbH is providing a 10% own contribution, with further co-financing support from the Hameln-Pyrmont district.
New board unit solution for the buses and solutions for the advance booking offices in Hamelin
AMCON will deliver a total of 145 vehicle solutions, including 2D barcode scanners, combo antennas, smart card readers, payment terminals, and traffic light control (LSA). Additionally, the board units can control the existing radio system and other vehicle components. Furthermore, 20 advance sales systems will be provided for cross-tariff-area ticket sales. To speed up the sales process at the service center, the most frequently sold products are displayed as favorites. The cashier interface can also be quickly and easily customized using the layout editor.
The backend system includes basic modules (master data and device management, shift management, seller accounts, data provisioning) as well as comprehensive tariff data management, eTicket validation according to VDV-KA standards, and a statistics module for evaluating various monthly and annual reports. Another highlight of the backend system is a quality monitoring module: the control center can see at a glance how punctual the buses are, how often lines experience early or late arrivals, and in emergencies can deploy additional vehicles and directly manage demand-responsive transport via the backend system.
The contract award by Verkehrsgesellschaft Hameln-Pyrmont has brought great excitement to AMCON. “This project marks another milestone for AMCON. We are proud that we were able to prevail against other applicants with our board unit solution and look forward to further cooperation with Verkehrsgesellschaft Hameln-Pyrmont,” says Darius Rauert, Managing Director of AMCON.
Comprehensive ITCS for smooth communication between vehicle and control center
The Verkehrsgesellschaft Hameln-Pyrmont will receive a very comprehensive ITCS module. In addition to classic functions such as map and route display and a disruption monitor, the system also includes its own navigation feature. Based on waiting and stopping times, the system generates forecasts about delays or early arrivals. For example, in the event of traffic jams caused by accidents or rush hour, the bus driver can request operational measures through the disruption management system at the control center. Via the ITCS, the control center can also inform about detours, send alternative routes, or communicate directly with the driver via VoIP (Voice over IP).
Continuous real-time data exchange ensures connection reliability and provides information on deviations from the schedule, which are then relayed to passengers via interfaces. To increase safety for both drivers and passengers, the board unit is equipped with an emergency call button that triggers a silent alarm connected to the backend system. The control center can immediately request assistance.
