Agenda Item 11 Update on the development of the Regional Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) System Committee Strategy and Programmes Date of meeting 23 November 2018 Date of report 30 October 2018 Report by Senior Director 1. Object of report To update the committee on the development of the Regional Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) system. 2. Background Members will be aware that in 2016, SPT commenced operation of a new regional Real- Time Passenger Information system, replacing legacy systems in Glasgow and Ayrshire. The main focus of the new regional RTPI system is to disseminate accurate and up to date service information to bus users, via electronic displays at key bus stops and interchanges, and via the Traveline Scotland website and mobile application. The key objective was to develop a modern efficient Regional RTPI system which would deliver better outcomes for the travelling public in terms of higher quality information provision and greater consistency for journeys across local authority boundaries. Following approvals by the Partnership as part of the 2017/18 and 2018/19 Capital Programme(s), SPT officers have taken forward expansion of the RTPI system with 12 local authorities now participating. Subsequently, by the end of this financial year the system will include over 630 displays as set out in in Appendix 1. In addition, RTPI has been rolled out at key bus interchanges including Govan, Partick, Braehead and Silverburn. The RTPI system also has the capability to communicate traffic signal priority requests, received from on bus satellite tracking units, onto local authority Urban Traffic Control (UTC) systems. SPT is currently undertaking a trial of this functionality in partnership with Glasgow City Council (GCC) and First Glasgow. The system has also been used extensively to communicate service disruption messages to the travelling public, often linked to major events and utility works. As highlighted in SPT s consultation response 1, the Transport Bill (Scotland) includes proposals to afford Public Transport Authorities greater powers to specify and seek service information from local bus operators, including inputs required to support RTPI systems. While the SPT RTPI system would align with this legislative change, to date it has been 1 http://www.spt.co.uk/documents/latest/s&p07092018_agenda7.pdf Page 1 of 9
taken forward on a voluntary basis, with live bus service information being provided by four of the main operators, subject to data sharing agreements. 3. Outline of proposals 3.1 RTPI System Benefits The principle benefits of Real Time Passenger Information are as follows: Waiting for the bus and not knowing when it will arrive causes passengers to feel anxious and frustrated. The provision of RTPI both at stops and via web/mobile is proven to reduce these factors, hence building confidence in bus services and supporting bus ridership. As evidenced by recent study by Transport for London, for further details see: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/value-oftime-at-the-stop-report.pdf. RTPI systems also encourage use by occasional bus users by improving the image of buses to such users. RTPI is a key tool available in encouraging modal shift from private car to bus. RTPI systems can readily be linked to Urban Traffic Control systems, delivering priority for bus services, promoting use of the services and further encouraging modal shift to bus. 3.2 Participating Operators and Services RTPI system now includes live departure information for the following local bus operators: First Glasgow McGills Stagecoach Western Glasgow Citybus/City Sightseeing In total, the system now provides RTPI predictions for circa 430 services. Discussions are also underway with First Scotland East to include their services on the system. 3.3 Deployment of on street RTPI displays When SPT commenced operation of the RTPI system there were 501 existing displays located in 9 local authority areas. By 31 March 2019 it is anticipated there will be 633 displays located in 12 local authority areas. The sign estate includes a number of variants including: Pole Mounted LED Shelter Mounted LED Shelter Mounted TFT Wall & Totem Mounted TFT Appendix 2 details the deployment of displays by Local Authority area. Examples of RTPI displays are included in Appendix 3. Funding for the maintenance and operation of RTPI displays is provided by participating local authorities, for whom SPT manage the service on an agency basis. Page 2 of 9
3.4 Conversion of Bus Stations to RTPI In addition to the above on-street provision, displays at the following bus stations have been converted to RTPI: Braehead Shopping Centre Govan Bus Station Silverburn Bus Station Partick Subway Station Cumbernauld Bus Station* (scheduled to be installed Q4 2018/19) Services operate at the above bus stations on a run through basis, similar to on street bus stops, therefore RTPI departures are particularly useful at these bus stations. 3.5 RTPI messaging for events In addition to bus service information, the regional RTPI system has the capability to provide bespoke messaging to individual displays, grouped displays or across the whole network of displays. This functionality has been utilised in a number of ways including advising passengers of temporary road and stop closures and notifying passengers of upcoming events which are likely to disrupt bus services, helping passengers plan ahead. Examples set out in Appendix 4 include RTPI messaging used during the 2018 European Championships, Race for Life, Santa Dash, various processions, filming and various international football matches at Hampden Park. 3.6 RTPI and Traveline Scotland A key element of the RTPI system involves an onward SIRI link to the Traveline Scotland journey planner, which allows RTPI to be displayed on the website and mobile application, available in both Apple ios and Android formats. The service is particularly helpful for bus stops that do not currently have an electronic display. Feedback from Traveline Scotland suggests that the introduction of RTPI link has significantly improved the offering to users, with service usage and app downloads continuing to increase. Example included for reference in Appendix 5. 3.7 RTPI and bus traffic signal priority The regional RTPI system has the capability to communicate to Urban Traffic Control (UTC) systems, utilised by a number of local authorities including Glasgow City Council to control their network of traffic signals. Specifically, the RTPI system can request traffic signal priority at UTC managed junctions for buses which are running late on approach to a junction. Where feasible, the UTC system will extend a green signal or reduce time allocated to opposing traffic, with the aim of getting the bus back on schedule to the benefit of the travelling public. Integration testing with First Glasgow services is now underway, an initial trial on Service 3 on a section of eight managed junctions from Shawlands Cross to Bridge Street Subway in the Southside of Glasgow commenced in July 2018. This followed an earlier successful trial on the Stagecoach X19 service which operates on the Fastlink route. While there have been a number of technical challenges, early results from the First Glasgow testing suggests there has been a positive impact in reducing late running, cutting journey times and regulating trip time variability. Following this, SPT and GCC officers are now working to expand bus traffic signal priority across further services and corridors. Page 3 of 9
3.8 RTPI and Transport Planning With active buses in service reporting location updates to the RTPI system every 30 seconds, a wealth of data is generated and stored by the system. Such data is available to assist with SPT s Transport Planning analysis, subject to data sharing agreements with participating operators. For example, the system has been used to examine the before and after impacts of bus priority measures introduced in Union Street/Jamaica Street and Argyle Street (i.e. journey time reductions and reliability improvements evidenced) and to inform real life bus journey times to be utilised in the new Glasgow City Centre Transport Model. The system is also likely to be a valuable tool in the development of the Regional Transport Strategy, particularly in the consideration of policies and schemes which promote modal shift towards bus travel. 4. Conclusions Deployment of RTPI systems improves the quality and reliability of bus service information, both through electronic displays and increasingly web and mobile applications, building service confidence amongst bus users and supporting modal shift. SPT s regional RTPI system has been developed to be flexible and inclusive, currently incorporating circa 430 services from 4 of the main local bus operators, and growing to over 633 electronic signs installed across 12 participating local authorities, coupled with web and mobile access through Traveline Scotland. Further scope exists to continue to develop the system, through deployment of additional displays at bus stops on strategic corridors, adding further bus operators to the system and through the roll out of bus traffic signal priority. Improving the quality and scope of bus service information, improving service reliability, and supporting patronage growth. 5. Committee action The Committee is recommended to note the contents of this report. 6. Consequences Policy consequences: Legal consequences: Financial consequences: Personnel consequences Equalities consequences: Risk consequences: In line with Regional Transport Strategy. None None within this report. None None None Name Charles Hoskins Name Gordon Maclennan Title Senior Director Title Chief Executive For further information, please contact Gordon Dickson, Bus Development Manager on 0141 333 3407. Page 4 of 9
APPENDIX 1: ON STREET RTPI DISPLAYS Local Authority area Number of signs 2016 Expected total number of signs by 31 March 2019 Argyll & Bute 0 4 East Ayrshire 67 67 East Dunbartonshire 4 37 East Renfrewshire 12 14 Glasgow City 327 359 Inverclyde* 0 12 North Ayrshire 19 19 North Lanarkshire 0 2 Renfrewshire 10 49 South Ayrshire 37 37 South Lanarkshire 19 24 West Dunbartonshire 6 9 Totals 501 633 * Note: development of RTPI in Inverclyde is currently under discussion and pending agreement. Page 5 of 9
APPENDIX 2: MAP OF RTPI DISPLAYS Page 6 of 9
APPENDIX 3: RTPI DISPLAYS Page 7 of 9
APPENDIX 4: Examples of Event Messaging Page 8 of 9
APPENDIX 5 TRAVELINE SCOTLAND MOBILE APP Page 9 of 9