Skip to main content

The smart tram, M2M solution for urban transport

A joint pilot project involving Kapsch CarrierCom, Bombardier and Linz AG Linien has demonstrated machine to machine (M2M) communication for use in the urban transport sector. The solution developed by Kapsch was installed in a number of Linz AG Linien trams in collaboration with the manufacturer Bombardier. The trams are equipped with numerous sensors, which measure various parameters. The data is transmitted to the operations control centre in real time and continuously analysed, enabling the tram oper
February 13, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
A joint pilot project involving 81 Kapsch CarrierCom, 513 Bombardier and Linz AG Linien has demonstrated machine to machine (M2M) communication for use in the urban transport sector.

The solution developed by Kapsch was installed in a number of Linz AG Linien trams in collaboration with the manufacturer Bombardier. The trams are equipped with numerous sensors, which measure various parameters. The data is transmitted to the operations control centre in real time and continuously analysed, enabling the tram operator to implement both short- and long-term measures that contribute to a more efficient use of energy, a reduction of the operating costs, and a higher degree of comfort for the passengers.

According to Kapsch CarrierCom, the system is modular and ready to be used by other urban transport organisations, including buses or light rail systems, while Linz AG Linien says that in addition to a reduction in energy costs, the M2M solution provides them with significantly better information about the condition of the vehicles, enabling them to carry out maintenance work in a far more targeted way.

Related Content

  • May 28, 2014
    Machine vision needs standards to fulfil ITS demands
    No-one should expect the enabling qualities of machine vision to come free of charge but Jason Barnes finds there is still much that ITS stakeholders can do to help reduce costs. After many years of application in high-end solutions for the enforcement and tolling sectors, machine vision is gaining traction in more general areas of traffic management. Nevertheless, those OEMs producing transport-oriented solutions which incorporate machine vision and looking to increase the technology’s share of the ITS mar
  • April 12, 2013
    Intelligent intersection control
    Intelligent intersection control systems have a growing role to play in making urban traffic more efficient. Robin Meczes reports. The idea of every traffic light turning green as you approach it has long been a dream for many an urban driver – and none more so than those driving heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), which are slow and difficult to bring to a halt and then accelerate back to normal travel speed. But that dream has become a reality for some drivers in a small number of cities around Europe in the las
  • February 3, 2012
    Connecting people and mobility
    Stéphane Petti, Business Development Manager - Automotive, at Orange Business Services' International M2M Center, says that the ITS industry can no longer afford to ignore the telecommunications industry's role in connecting people and mobility services. To telephone companies (telcos), the Machine-to-Machine (M2M) sector is nothing new. Worldwide, they have been focusing considerable attention on M2M in all its sub-segments for several years now. It is the migration of M2M from fixed to wireless connectivi
  • June 23, 2014
    Tyne and Wear Metro opts for Kapsch digital radio network
    Having expanded its activities to the public transport sector, Kapsch CarrierCom’s public transport business unit has been successful in winning a US$13 million contract to implement a digital radio network based on the TETRA standard for Nexus, the strategic public transport body in the UK’s north-east. Based in Newcastle, Nexus owns and manages the Tyne and Wear Metro, which is used annually by 37 million passengers. The new digital radio system will be installed on the Metro’s fleet of 90 trains, repl