Saab intelligent transport systems give  Auckland buses the green light this Christmas

With Christmas just around the corner, Auckland shoppers may just find it easier to “take the bus” to get that last minute gift, thanks to a new system developed by Saab ITS that is keeping passengers on schedule and giving buses the green light.

According to Mr Merv Davis, Managing Director of Saab Systems in Australia, the company has just completed installing a system in Auckland that will change the way people think of bus travel forever.  

“The Saab Intelligent Transport System (ITS) technology allows bus passengers waiting at a stop to know exactly where their next bus is, via an up-to-the-minute electronic sign.”

“The same system also allows a bus approaching a green traffic light to keep the light green until the bus has passed through, maintaining its schedule.

“The end result is that more busses run on schedule and bus travel becomes a more reliable option,” Mr Davis said.

Auckland City Council contracted Saab in 2002 to supply the Real Time Passenger Information and Signal Pre-emption System for Auckland public buses.

Auckland’s is now the largest operating system of its type in the world, providing real-time information to intending passengers waiting at bus stops as well as providing traffic light control to give priority to buses. 

“This is enormous and complex system affects more 700 buses, around 190 signs and 170 intersections.

“Our engineers needed to design the system to allow for complicating factors including changing traffic flow, seasonal fluctuations such as the Christmas holiday period and an expected growth in demand for the service,” said Mr Davis.

Saab ITS, a subsidiary of Saab Systems, headquartered in Adelaide, offers expertise in project management, traffic management, public transport, system design and integration, and software engineering.

Saab Systems is better known for its work in the defence environment, including the development of the combat management system for the Australian and New Zealand ANZAC class frigates. This association between military and civil technology is just the first of many from Saab. Another emerging example is the prototype of an Early Warning Fire Notification System which warns of approaching bush fires and can also warn of other emergency situations such as floods, tsunamis, industrial disasters and other civil threats. 

“Saab Systems sees considerable advantage in using both its military and civil technology experience for the development of situation management capabilities,” says Mr. Davis.

“In the mean time, we are happy to have been able to help Auckland City Council improve bus services in time for the busy Christmas season.” added Mr Davis.

6 December 2005