Yappofloyd
22-06-05, 11:21 PM
This is taken from another thread on skyscraper forum as I couldn't remember/find if there was a thread on the subject here somewhere...
I'm not normally one to post the articles but todays Nation has an update ,with some graphics, of the BMA Smart Signs that we were discussing earlier. So getting away from the micro of Asoke to the macro of new BMA 'smart' transport intiatives....
TRAFFIC: Hi-tech projects to tackle congestion
Published on March 14, 2005 The Nation
‘Intelligent traffic system’ includes electronic road signs, GPS-equipped buses, taxi stands linked to call centres. Bangkok’s roads and public transport systems are to benefit from five high-technology projects this year, collectively called “the intelligent traffic system”. Its aim, once more, is to relieve traffic congestion.
Before the end of the year, intelligent traffic signs will inform drivers about bad traffic areas, electronic screens will tell bus commuters how long they must wait for the next bus, and people will be able to call taxis by pushing a button.
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) deputy governor Samart Ratchapolsitte said some of the new technologies were imported and others were developed locally, but Bangkok would be the first city in the world using them all together. “The aim is to help Bangkok people spend less time on the roads,” he said.
Forty “intelligent traffic signs” would be installed in front of expressways and important intersections by June. They would provide real-time information on graphic maps, informing drivers about crowded roads and traffic accidents.
Samart said 150 “intelligent” taxi stands would be constructed. These would be stainless structures looking much like bus stops. However, when people were waiting for taxis, they would display a red light visible to nearby taxis.
If there were no taxis passing at the time, people would be able to press a button and the taxi call centre would direct a taxi to the stand. The would-be passenger would be shown the taxi number and the expected time of pick-up.
Samart said the third “intelligent” system would involve bus stops with high-technology information signs. A pilot project would be set up by July.
Large LCD display screens at these stops would provide information on which buses were arriving and how long people would have to wait for each bus.
A Global Positioning System unit would be installed on every bus to send real time information to the bus stop display via satellite.
Samart said the BMA had invited private companies to invest in the first three projects. Each of the structures involved would have advertising space that the companies could let or sell at a profit. Part of this income would go to the BMA.
The final two projects would be funded by the BMA itself.
He said that by October, the BMA would spend Bt226 million for two intelligent parking buildings at its Ratchathewi and Prakhanong district offices to enable people to leave their cars and use public transport.
The parking buildings would use smart cards. Drivers would identify themselves at a lift, which would lift their car to a space in the building. Upon their return they would use their smart card to instruct the elevator to search for their car and bring it down to the street.
Samart said the technology would prevent car thefts and encourage more people to use public transport. Each of the buildings would accommodate 100 cars and fees would be cheaper than those charged at nearby private parking facilities.
Finally, 34 “crosswalks” would be installed in Bangkok streets over the next four months at a cost of Bt30 million. Samart said pedestrians crossing the road only need to press a button to activate traffic lights featuring countdown digits as well as an audible signal for the blind.
“The intelligent traffic systems will provide comfort to drivers and mass transit commuters as well as promoting the use of mass transportation systems such as buses and the Skytrain,” he said.
Chatrarat Kaewmorakot
The Nation
The two 'smart' auotmated carpacks have been shelved but has anyone seen the 'smart' traffic signs which were due to commence operations in June? Also, has anyone seen any preparations of sites for any of the 'smart' bustops?
I'm not normally one to post the articles but todays Nation has an update ,with some graphics, of the BMA Smart Signs that we were discussing earlier. So getting away from the micro of Asoke to the macro of new BMA 'smart' transport intiatives....
TRAFFIC: Hi-tech projects to tackle congestion
Published on March 14, 2005 The Nation
‘Intelligent traffic system’ includes electronic road signs, GPS-equipped buses, taxi stands linked to call centres. Bangkok’s roads and public transport systems are to benefit from five high-technology projects this year, collectively called “the intelligent traffic system”. Its aim, once more, is to relieve traffic congestion.
Before the end of the year, intelligent traffic signs will inform drivers about bad traffic areas, electronic screens will tell bus commuters how long they must wait for the next bus, and people will be able to call taxis by pushing a button.
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) deputy governor Samart Ratchapolsitte said some of the new technologies were imported and others were developed locally, but Bangkok would be the first city in the world using them all together. “The aim is to help Bangkok people spend less time on the roads,” he said.
Forty “intelligent traffic signs” would be installed in front of expressways and important intersections by June. They would provide real-time information on graphic maps, informing drivers about crowded roads and traffic accidents.
Samart said 150 “intelligent” taxi stands would be constructed. These would be stainless structures looking much like bus stops. However, when people were waiting for taxis, they would display a red light visible to nearby taxis.
If there were no taxis passing at the time, people would be able to press a button and the taxi call centre would direct a taxi to the stand. The would-be passenger would be shown the taxi number and the expected time of pick-up.
Samart said the third “intelligent” system would involve bus stops with high-technology information signs. A pilot project would be set up by July.
Large LCD display screens at these stops would provide information on which buses were arriving and how long people would have to wait for each bus.
A Global Positioning System unit would be installed on every bus to send real time information to the bus stop display via satellite.
Samart said the BMA had invited private companies to invest in the first three projects. Each of the structures involved would have advertising space that the companies could let or sell at a profit. Part of this income would go to the BMA.
The final two projects would be funded by the BMA itself.
He said that by October, the BMA would spend Bt226 million for two intelligent parking buildings at its Ratchathewi and Prakhanong district offices to enable people to leave their cars and use public transport.
The parking buildings would use smart cards. Drivers would identify themselves at a lift, which would lift their car to a space in the building. Upon their return they would use their smart card to instruct the elevator to search for their car and bring it down to the street.
Samart said the technology would prevent car thefts and encourage more people to use public transport. Each of the buildings would accommodate 100 cars and fees would be cheaper than those charged at nearby private parking facilities.
Finally, 34 “crosswalks” would be installed in Bangkok streets over the next four months at a cost of Bt30 million. Samart said pedestrians crossing the road only need to press a button to activate traffic lights featuring countdown digits as well as an audible signal for the blind.
“The intelligent traffic systems will provide comfort to drivers and mass transit commuters as well as promoting the use of mass transportation systems such as buses and the Skytrain,” he said.
Chatrarat Kaewmorakot
The Nation
The two 'smart' auotmated carpacks have been shelved but has anyone seen the 'smart' traffic signs which were due to commence operations in June? Also, has anyone seen any preparations of sites for any of the 'smart' bustops?