many cities are built on legacy systems, this saves a lot of money. The other solutions that leverage Cubic’s
technology and services expertise are: an aggregating system to calculate settlement payments according to mode and operator (NextAccount); a data management sys- tem for extracting and interpreting criti- cal information from devices and systems across the city (NextInfo); a system for distributing that information meaning- fully to customers for their benefit (Next- Contact); a clearing and settlement system to ensure all modes are paid for equitably (NextLedger); and a suite of mobile apps and mobile cloud services (NextWave). Perhaps the most fundamental
component of ITS is a mobile business system, like NextWave, that makes full use of the availability of pervasive mobile devices and their extensive and rapidly changing capabilities. ITS providers simplify the complexi-
ties of deploying mobile services by providing cloud-based platforms that integrate with closed- and open-loop contactless fare systems, payment pro- cessors, mobile networks, NFC plat- forms,
and both iOS and Android
smartphones and tablets. By choosing suppliers with technology
that can inherently provide the opportu- nity to communicate in real time with all users of the transportation network via their smartphones, in-vehicle comput- ers or through dynamic messaging signs and displays, operators can ensure that transportation networks are responsive to real-time conditions.
Is your multi-modal solution just for world cities like London, New York and Sydney, or is it scaleable to smaller places? It is of course scalable to any size region. If the vision is there, so is the solution. If it can be done in a huge city with millions of citizens then it is a lot easier to replicate in smaller areas. Having said that, the most powerful implementation of the systems will be derived from the widest possible amalgamation of data sources – and the widest sources of data tend to flow from the larger cities and regions.
Does the UK lead the way in ITS and is this a major export opportunity for the country? It is definitely up there. Certainly the MTC in the Bay area around San Francisco is on the leading edge of implementing ITS, as is Sydney. However, London is at the forefront
smartHIGHWAYS Vol 2 No 1
First and foremost our audience is opera- tors and agencies, who in turn are public facing. In fact, we define success on our projects when we stay out of the public eye as this means we are succeeding in helping our customers create a smooth and trouble fee travel experience. We have been in the public eye occasion- ally, most recently being when we spon- sored TfL’s 150th London Underground anniversary celebrations.
of many transport revolutions – the Cubic- run Oyster card and London being the first city you could pay for bus travel using con- tactless cards being good examples. It’s defi- nitely a great time to work in ITS in the UK, or elsewhere, and the industry should feel positive about all the opportunities.
I’m sure you speak with your colleagues elsewhere in the industry. Together, what steps need to be taken now to help bring the ‘revolution’ closer? I think we need to see two things happen as soon as practicable. Firstly, there is so much data already being captured – and not used. That data should not be the sole preserve of one organisation – it should be shared, just as TfL does now. Secondly, there should be a move
towards legislation that breaks down the barriers between the siloed elements that represent different modes in cities and regions – make it as easy as possible to share expertise, intelligence and experi- ence across operators and modes. Real power resides in revenue, plan-
ning and operations data – when these are combined, leaders can make more informed decisions that serve the eco- nomic interests of the agency, city or region as well as providing all travellers with real quality of service. It really is time for public transport providers (and most importantly, the travelling public) to benefit from technologies and capa- bilities that up to now have been the preserve only of the largest public and private institutions.
How soon will you be taking the skills you’ve acquired in the UK to other markets? Our ITMS colleagues are already bidding for opportunities around the world, and will continue to do so. As for Cubic Trans- portation Systems more generally, we are already a global company and that reach will only continue. I mentioned that Serco wasn’t, and Cubic isn’t a public-facing brand. Do you see a time when it will be?
smarthighways.net
There’s the old phrase about leading a horse to water – you can provide all the solutions you want to help people get around, but that doesn’t mean they’ll use them – how can you get them to? People respond when they see something happening that is genuinely going to ben- efit them. The benefits that come from NextCity will go through some readily pre- dictable phases – early adopters catching on, followed a widening building of trust in the intelligence that is being provided (and the fact that it is not being abused or only provided if one has to wade through unwanted advertising) and then mass acceptance. I think the public in many cities
around the world are growing tired of hearing about investment in infrastruc- ture that doesn’t make much of a change in their lives. We know from the recep- tion we have had at some very high lev- els that NextCity has the real potential to transform how people travel and view their cities – and its already starting to happen – with contactless payment cards being used in London and in Chicago, the pieces are starting to fall into place for the revolution. We aren’t naïve – we know that other skilful and resourceful competitor companies have their own visions for urban mobility but we also know we have a pretty unique perspec- tive because of our experience in major cities around the world. It will take time but it is inevitable. It
has to happen if we are not going to grind to a halt – and more and more people are starting to realise that.
Martin Howell is Director of Worldwide Marketing Communications at Cubic Transportation Systems
Martin.Howell@cubic.com
cubic.com
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