ITS Applications
Bus drivers are expected to perform a wide range of tasks. In addition to driving the bus safely, drivers are expected to manage their scheduled position (often in conditions of traffic congestion), to issue tickets, to deal with customer queries, to manage the passengers on the bus, to deal with emergencies and incidents, and to manage the condition of their vehicle.
Driver Aids applications support the bus driver in the performance of increasingly complex driving tasks. They cover three main roles for the driver:
Performing the scheduled service Performing the driving task effectively and safely Managing the vehicles and the passengers
In current practice, drivers have full control of the vehicle and the ITS Applications merely assist the driver. However, there are already a few exceptions such as some precision docking tools or guided busways, where the technical system takes control of the steering function. Advances in automotive and trucking technology are likely to increase this trend.
The Driver Aids cluster consists of six Applications:
- Schedule Adherence Support
- Collision warning and avoidance
- Precision Docking
- Economic driving assistance
- Vehicle condition monitoring
- Passenger surveillance