The most significant investment in the development of transportation during the decade was the realized in 2014 in Budapest. An integrated system was implemented, providing real-time information about community transportation accurate to a minute, entirely replacing the previous, outdated passenger information and traffic control system of above ground community transportation in the capital city, with no possibility for interconnection.
“FUTÁR” (“Forgalomirányítási és UtasTÁjékoztatási Rendszer” / Traffic Control and Passenger Information System) applies state-of-the-art technology to provide the most possible information to passengers using the community transportation network of the capital city and thus help them in arriving to their destinations. The system based on satellite vehicle tracking allows the operator BKK to monitor Budapest traffic in real-time, through 24 hours a day, continuously, to maintain line schedules and to promptly and efficiently take the necessary measures in extreme situations. The first phase of development involved bus-, tram- and trolley lines, then Danube boat lines were added, and further integration of suburban railway and metro lines is also planned.
Clients receive real-time information through displays installed at the stops, they see the time accurate to a minute, when the given lines will leave the stop.
The most spectacular elements of the project are the passenger information devices at stops, junctions, with already 285 operated throughout the city.
One on-board monitoring device was installed on each vehicle included in the FUTÁR program, by means of which they are able to transmit their exact locations to the central dispatcher. Based on received location data, the system computes the expected time of start from a given stop, and forwards the information to the respective street display, as well as the web-, or smart phone based route planning application. Owing to the satellite devices installed on the vehicles, more and more accurate information is now available on their locations, which makes better route planning possible not only for passengers, but for the traffic organizers as well.
A touch-screen operation and control unit was installed in the driver cabin of all vehicles, controlling the displays, playing audio information, ensuring the real-time tracking of traffic, controlling electronic ticket validation devices, and on eligible vehicles also collecting and forwarding data from passenger-counting device.
Within the frameworks of the FUTÁR project, our company manufactured brackets, fastening members, metal cases on the one hand; and carried out the installation and connection of on-board displays on the other.
How many vehicles were eventually equipped with new location indicators and/or interior displays?
• Ikarus 412T trolley: new front-, side-, rear and interior displays (on 15 vehicles)
• Ikarus 435T trolley: new front-, side-, rear and interior displays (on 15 vehicles)
• Tatra T5C5 tram: new front-, side and interior displays (on 242 vehicles)
• Tatra T5C5K tram: new side displays (on 80 vehicles)
• TW 6000 & TW 6100 trams: new front-, side and interior displays (on 74 vehicles)
• Ganz articulated tram: new interior displays (on 88 vehicles)
/Source: the website of BKK and BKV Zrt./
