AVLC/RTPI

Automatic Vehicle Location and Control (AVLC) and Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI)

Automatic Vehicle Location Control (AVLC) is a system that provides real time vehicle tracking facilities and the management tools to further enhance the control and management of bus services. The programme is part of an overall plan to halt disruption to scheduled services caused by traffic congestion and ensure a greater predictability of service. It is the infrastructure upon which Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) will be introduced.

The AVLC project began back in 2006 when Dublin Bus was granted €10 million funding under the Government’s Transport 21 investment programme. German firm Init was appointed by Dublin Bus to install an AVLC system throughout its fleet. The initial installation stage of the AVLC system is now complete and the on-bus equipment is beginning to be rolled out across the entire fleet.

As part of the AVLC project, each bus in the Dublin Bus fleet is equipped with an on board computer that interfaces with an existing bus radio system, which transmits location data back to depots and other monitoring points.  In addition to this, bus location data from the AVLC central computer system is transmitted to Dublin City Council’s SCATS traffic control central computer, allowing for greater bus prioritisation at signal controlled junctions.

Under AVLC, Dublin Bus customers will be able to access the time of arrival of the next buses, for their route and bus stop ,via text messages and the web www.dublinbus.ie . In addition to this, Dublin City Council will erect real time displays at major bus stops throughout the city. The new system will provide more accurate information for customers and therefore will make the bus a more attractive and convenient mode of transport for all.

Dublin Bus undertook a trial of an Automatic Vehicle Location and Control (AVLC) system on its' first route, Route 123.  The AVLC trial was completed in April 2010 and has now been extended to all routes based in the Summerhill Depot.  AVLC is now being introduced throughout all Dublin Bus depots, on a depot by depot basis.  It is anticipated that AVLC will be fully operational by the end of 2010.