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This real-time model will show you how buses and trams are running in Helsinki city centre at present. The vehicles move in a three-dimensional virtual model from which you can choose different spots for further examination. |
The route and location information of the vehicles is based on the HELMI system maintained by Helsinki City Transport. In Finnish HELMI stands for Helsinki’s public transport, its traffic light benefits and traveller information.
The location information of the vehicles has been calculated by combining the arrival time to the stop to a calculated location information based on time-tables. That is why the location information between stops is not yet real-time. The tram and bus stop display units in Helsinki use information obtained from the same HELMI system. These display units show the remaining waiting time before the next bus or tram arrives to the stop.
Co-operation
partners:
Helsinki City Transport
Realisation of the
programme
Helsinki University of Technology/ Industrial Information
Technology Laboratory/Antti Nurminen
HELMI system
The main goal of the system is to define the location of buses and trams.This is achieved through three phases:
· GPS- satellite navigation defines the location of a bus or tram with an accuracy of one stop.
· The exact location is defined when the bus/tram opens its doors on a stop.
· An odometre will calculate the location of the bus/tram between stops. The location is given in metres starting from the previous stop.
The system checks the location of a vehicle every ten
seconds and forwards the information to a central computer.
The time-table follow-up is based on a comparison between
the real location of the vehicle and its calculated location based
on time-tables. The driver receives information of the
vehicle’s location and the difference between actual location
and location according to time-table on a screen that up-dates
every second. The same information is forwarded to control centre
personnel every ten seconds. They can send messages to the driver
informing him of traffic disturbances and other hinders that might
affect his drive.
Tram stop information is given to passengers on a screen within the
vehicle. The screen lets the passenger know the name of the
following stop or following two stops. While the tram is standing
on a stop, the screens indicate the tram line number and final
destination. The screens inside the vehicle have one or two
text lines and they give information both in Finnish and in
Swedish.
The tram stop display unit is a screen on the tram stop. It indicates how many
minutes it will take for the following tram to arrive.
Traffic control centre personnel have the
possibility to send short messages about traffic disturbances or
other situations hindering the flow of traffic to the display
units.
The estimated arrival time of a tram can also be
obtained through the Internet (HKL Omat lähdöt -service). The
user must first choose a stop. Then he/she receives the 10
following departures from that stop. This information can be sent
to a mobile phone.
The traffic light benefits are based on a message system. A tram approaching a
crossroads sends a message through a low power radio modem straight
to the control centre of traffic lights. The control centre can
make the lights turn green faster or prolong the green light so
that the tram can make it smoothly through the crossroads. After
passing, the tram must send another message to the control centre.
This message will change the traffic lights back to normal
rotation.
For more information
Helsinki City Transport’s Omat lähdöt service
Updated 8.1.2007/KT
