FlyWay´s Information System

To err is human. To forgive is, unfortunately, not part of this company´s policy.

he FlyWay Information System should not be confused with the FlyWay booking system. As a general guideline, one could say that booking information is generated as a respons to customer requests for specific services, which are either effected or rejected, whereas the information system consists of: unsolicited traffic information solicited traffic information requested information regarding specific items, not having anything directly to do with booking.		This is a rather technical page, and it is still in process of being written! Contents of this page: General The customer interfaces A scenario

1. General

The information system consists of some "hardware": Monitor displays in the cars, at stops and at other strategic places Terminals at stations, for interactive control A central computer. It has these customer interfaces: Monitor displays in the cars, at stops and at other strategic places Terminals at stations, for interactive control WAP-interface for cellular phones A website on the Internet. These interfaces would continually inform about: the valid timetable for various routes the traffic situation; stoppages, delays, full cars, whether extra cars have been provided, etc. the time for next incoming regular cars and their destinations As noted, the information System would, like the Booking System, maintain an Internet Website for general traffic information, as well as internal information for the operator´s staff.		A customer/traveller who identifies himself should also be able to receive prompted-for information about: when an booked vehicle will arrive if an order/booking cannot be effectuated the status of the traveler's magnetic card It should also be possible for authorized persons to: Gain information about where a certain traveler and/or car is and where they are going Receive various statistical information about the traffic Get information about current events, such as congestions and accidents. This system is centrally controlled and is separate from the information that the booking computer provides via the booking terminals. The system would be integrated with the booking system insofar that the card reader functionally is a part of the booking system, while general traffic information is routed via the information systems to displays.

2. The Customer Interfaces

isplay monitors are generally the best way to communicate with travellers. Why is that? Normally, loudspeaker systems are used to catch people´s attention. Well, loudspeaker systems suffer from these drawbacks: Often bad sound quality; it´s hard to hear what is being said Language barriers; not everyone understands english Too hard to hear what is being said over other noise They interrupt people´s conversations and thus create annoyance They contribute more noise to an already (?) noisy environment. Monitor displays for general traffic information could resemble those already in use at train stations and airports, as shown in figure 2:1. Those mounted at or near FlyWay stations would show information that is relevant for that particular station. Monitor displays in the beamcars are of course useful, but these should have a manual interface om some kind, to enable travellers to view the information that they are interested in at the moment, both of a general kind and personal info. Booking of vehicles should, of course, also be possible from these terminals.	Figure 2:1	Interactive terminals at stations would serve two purposes: Booking of beamcars Obtaining other kinds of information, as listed in the previous chapter. Internet-based information must of course be provided, both for customers and for the general public. FlyWay offers two interfaces: WAP-interface for cellular phones A website on the Internet. A communications interface for both vehicles and travellers for conveyance of this information that FlyWay will use is Bluetooth, which you can read about on other pages.

3. A Scenario

Text will (hopefully) be forthcoming here.