TETRASUPPLEMENT 05


Thierry Charlier. “We are aware that we are not currently taking advantage of GPS positioning or short data messaging (SDS) functions and are hence only using part of the system’s potential. However, we are actively considering these functions.” Other planned improvements include


coordinating TEC operations with the police, fire brigade and rescue services during major events, such as the City Parade or Outremeuse Festival. The 2012 Tour de France will start in Liège, further emphasising the need for clear communications. “ASTRID will enable us to communicate


ASTRID is the operator of the national TETRA radio communications, paging and dispatching network designed for the emergency and security services throughout Belgium. However, the work of ASTRID is not just limited to the emergency services.


I and other controllers can easily communicate with each other.”


Extensive coverage The Liège-Verviers control centre has been using ASTRID radios since the summer of 2010. Thierry Charlier, Manager of the control centre, explained: “We are currently reviewing our communication equipment. From now on, each bus will be equipped with an on-board platform based on GSM, while the controllers use ASTRID. The old analogue network limited communication with controllers to just downtown Liège. This represented a big problem given that our routes extend to Verviers and the Dutch and German borders, or even further in the case of special jobs.”


“We are now pleased that we have reliable


communications on all bus lines,” said Jean Ledent, Dispatching Manager at Liège-Verviers TEC. “This will make everyone in the process feel safe, and the safety of our employees is obviously very important to us.”


Ready for anything Currently, Liège-Verviers TEC only uses ASTRID for voice communications. “The most important thing for us was the geographical expansion of our communication network” said


easily with all authorities,” said Michel Schoonbroodt, Operational Director. “In these kinds of events, it is essential to coordinate knowledge from transportation personnel with the police and other authorities.


Key figures for TEC in Liège-Verviers The key figures of TEC in Liège-Verviers include:  11 bus depots, 214 lines, 4,181km of routes covering an area of 3,862km2


 129,520,443 passengers per year  4,855 (approx.) stops in each direction  633 buses that in total travel 40,518,292km per year


 1,825 employees  40 portable radios  3 talk groups for everyday use and one emergency group


Transporting the data


Colin Eade Marketing Communications Manager, Sepura


While transport operators once concentrated solely on voice communications issues, today’s requirements focus heavily on data and the strategic and operational benefits that it can bring. Thus, while TETRA’s highly efficient frequency usage, security and inherently feature- rich nature are appealing to public transport authorities the world over, it is the enhancements in data capacity and the development of data applications which are helping to advance TETRA’s drive into this arena. TETRA’s data capacity enables the rapid


By using ASTRID, controllers and dispatchers are now in constant contact.


and reliable transmission of, for example, AVL or fuel consumption information on a regular and frequent basis. This is a core benefit that operators derive from data and, whilst numerous major cities make use of it, there are still a number which have yet to adopt this approach. As in other vertical markets, public transport is now looking at the innovative


data applications that are increasingly available. These are enabling data to be sent to/from a radio, be it a hand-held used by on-street controllers or an on-board unit, in a format which enables it to interact automatically with other devices or systems. For instance, controllers could use their radio to store timetable data or quickly upload incident data to a database in a pre-defined format, while maintenance staff could have an automatic call allocation application on their radio. For drivers, status-triggered functions could automatically enable a change of mode or profile (to lone- worker, for example) based on a vehicle’s location or status. Voice communications will always be


required, but TETRA’s proven and developing data capability should ensure that increasing numbers of transport operators take the TETRA option.


www.eurotransportmagazine.com


Eurotransport Volume 9, Issue 3, 2011


Photo Courtesy of Christophe Vander Eecken


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