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“In green-field situations, a TETRA system is likely to be a relatively small part financially when compared to the huge investments involved in building public transport infrastructure. “It’s often the case that potential customers don’t initially appreciate the entire potential of a TETRA system during first stage discussions – often they’re just looking to replicate the functionality of an older, analogue system. When you do start explaining what can be achieved with data applications – and particularly the impact of these on total cost of ownership through more efficient scheduling or maintenance – then you start to see their eyes widen! “That said”, he continues, “it’s very important to start with pilot systems first to examine what best overall solution will fit each particular client. Very often, in fast-developing countries rushing to get mass transit in place to serve rapidly expanding populations, there is little or no overall co-ordination at a national level.” TETRA worldwide While plenty of headlining TETRA mass transit activity is focused on the Asia-Pacific region, other regions such as Latin America are also active, with Teltronic (for example) involved in projects in Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Colombia, as well as a trial project in New Jersey, USA. The growing focus from both vendors and customers on data applications is echoed by Actica’s Davis. “TETRA’s significance is also enhanced further through its mission-critical data technology”, he says. “Location service, for example, is integrated into the standard with the Location Information Protocol (LIP) and SDS can be used very efficiently. With the introduction of TETRA Enhanced Data Service (TEDS) – and, more specifically, with TEDS Direct Access that provides separated capacity for voice and data services – various operationally critical solutions that have previously been restricted due to capacity or bandwidth issues now start to become feasible. Examples of these include train signalling, driverless trains, rich passenger information systems, on-board surveillance and remote control.” Staying alive This constantly expanding range of applications – set within the overall mission-critical umbrella – is also emphasized by Tero Pesonen, head of the Fortecor business programme for Cassidian Systems, a company currently engaged on major Metro projects in Shenyang and Shenzen in China, amongst others. He comments: “Each customer’s operational culture can be very different – though ‘mission-critical availability’ is always the starting point for any discussion. “Some mass transit operators – at least initially – are focused more on what might be called the basic things such as voice communications, station announcements and dynamic and role-based calling. When it comes to data applications, that ‘stay alive’ issue remains central – especially where signalling data is concerned. At one end you have relatively simple things like positioning of trains; at the other are more advanced applications such as the signalling systems and driver-free trains, which is where Direct Access features are especially important, with data devices being able to use dedicated bandwidth to provide always-on connectivity.” Machine to machine This issue of ‘connected devices’ is particularly relevant given the wave of interest in machine-to-machine (M2M) communications – or the more consumer-friendly concept of the ‘Internet of Things’ – currently spreading across the wireless and cellular worlds. At February’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the GSMA and numerous companies and industry organizations were highlighting progress in this sector. One message constantly repeated by this emerging community was that while the actual data overheads involved in M2M applications are usually very low – of text message length or even shorter – the integrity of the supporting communications channel is of paramount importance. This point is emphasized by Cassidian’s Pesonen. “TETRA-supported M2M applications can help the train operators themselves improve the integrity of their own services and generate additional revenues”, he says. “Sensors in carriages and cabs can deliver a broad range of important environmental and performance indicators that in turn can improve efficiencies in the maintenance of both the train and the tracks and tunnels, or in terms of getting non-manual input on conditions in the event of an emergency of some kind. “At the other end of the spectrum, train operators can look at selling digital advertising space on in-carriage screens, with the content being regularly and automatically refreshed.” The travel experience
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