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Data Tester – get what you pay for!

Écrit par cgiuffrida le . Publié dans Public Transport.

Get the overview of the bus properties
You have recently received a delivery of new buses and now want to make sure that all requirements have been correctly executed according to your order? Some features are visually detectable and can therefore be easily checked. However, there are also invisible features, such as battery data, which are of essential importance. To ensure that all the requirements you ordered have been met, we offer you the Data Tester – an extremely useful tool for comprehensively checking the characteristics of your bus fleet. This allows you to keep track of everything and ensure that your fleet meets all the desired requirements.

What exactly is the Data Tester?
The Data Tester is a set consisting of Data Logger and app that provides a detailed breakdown of your vehicle’s data quality within minutes. In just three steps – connect, click, download – you receive a significant report, showing if your vehicles meet the contractually agreed-upon requirements.

Why is data quality so important?
Reliability this is of key importance for fleet operators. Whether making decisions or ensuring seamless integration into IT systems, the quality of data is crucial. When procuring new vehicles, you must ensure that the data contents of the digital interfaces match your systems. For example, the evaluation of the temperature signal inside the vehicle is a vital factor for passenger comfort and the energy efficiency of the bus (read more about VDV 261 on preconditioning in our post: All about VDV 261).

Benefits of the Data Tester
Our Data Tester provides you with comprehensive service, including personal support by our vehicle data experts. With our plug-and-play system, you can easily connect the Data Tester, open the app, and download the report. The system can be used multiple times for all buses, offering detailed error analysis and remote data verification whenever and wherever you need it. All of this comes in a handy package: Data Logger, cable set, app, and manual.

Improved Data Quality with the Data Tester
With the Data Tester, you can enhance the data quality of your buses and receive more accurate error reports. It provides detailed information on when an error occurred, how often it happened, and which components are affected. This gives you a good assessment of the vehicle’s technical condition, no matter where you are.

References
Rheinbahn Düsseldorf: As the local transport provider for Düsseldorf, the Mettmann district, and the Rhein-Kreis Neuss, Rheinbahn transports more than half a million people daily with its 791 vehicles. They are currently in a crucial transition process to convert their bus fleet to emission-free drives. Our Data Tester will assist them in ensuring that their new vehicles meet the contractually agreed requirements and can be seamlessly integrated into their existing IT systems.

VCDB VerkehrsConsult Dresden-Berlin GmbH fully supports transportation companies from the idea to implementation when using alternative drives. They also advise on the implementation of new software solutions, such as charging and load management systems. Collaborating with VCDB will ensure that their clients can ascertain vehicle data quality right from the start, leading to smoother implementations and higher reliability.

CarMedialab and INIT deliver energy-efficient software solutions to Vancouver, Washington

Écrit par cgiuffrida le . Publié dans Public Transport.

C-TRAN, the public transit provider in Clark County and the Vancouver-Portland region, has added ten new all-electric buses to its fleet. This is an important step toward achieving the goal of a completely zero-emission fleet by 2040. The new e-buses are not only environmentally friendly, but also efficient and quiet, with a range of 200 miles.

To maximize the efficiency and performance of its buses, C-TRAN chose to work with CarMedialab and INIT for two of their solutions.

C-TRAN will deploy the vehicle monitoring system MOBILEvhm. This system will help C-TRAN to keep track of the performance of its entire bus fleet, whether it is its diesel or electric buses, at any time.

In addition C-TRAN will also use the MOBILEefficiency driver assistance. This system supports drivers in learning and maintaining an energy-efficient driving style.

“Sustainability is at the core of who we are as a public transportation provider, and battery-electric buses are crucial to our zero-emission future,” said Eric Florip, C-TRAN’s manager of communications and marketing. “We’re excited to partner with INIT and CarMedialab to improve the performance of these vehicles, and the experience for our riders.”

This partnership between C-TRAN, CarMedialab and INIT is a clear sign of these organizations’ commitment to a sustainable and efficient future for public transportation. With the introduction of these new technologies, C-TRAN will be able to provide even better service to its passengers while minimizing its environmental impact.

CarMedialab revolutionizes electric public transport in Israel

Écrit par cgiuffrida le . Publié dans Public Transport.

We are excited to have won the tender, and from now on we will work together to advance the electrification of public transport in Israel.

Charging stations throughout Israel will be connected
Ayalon Highways, a nationwide infrastructure provider in Israel, has contracted CarMedialab to integrate the charge management system MOBILEcharge into hundreds of electric bus charging stations. This will be done in dozens of depots across the country, ensuring smooth operation and efficient use of the electric bus fleet.

“We chose CarMedialabs charge management system for all our bus depots all over Israel. MOBILEcharge will help us to have a maximum number of buses available on time with minimal use of the grid and minimal costs. Let the electrification revolution begin!“ – Shirley W., Product Manager at Ayalon Highways

Charging stations of the e-busses in Tel Aviv

Increase efficiency and save costs
MOBILEcharge is an intelligent charge management system that not only monitors and controls the charging of electric buses, but can also integrate various interfaces. These interfaces enable seamless communication with depot management as well as other relevant systems. Thus, operators can better manage their electric fleets, optimize operations, increase efficiency and save costs at the same time.

Multiple operators sharing the same infrastructure
MOBILEcharge is rolled out in multitenant mode in order to support the case that multiple operators use the same charging infrastructure. Charging stations are assigned to operators based on a concession, reserved only for a certain period of time or even a single charging event. By that, the operators see, control and have responsibility for only their stations and processes. They utilise their own energy tariffs and get their respective bills based on consumed energy.

Electric public transport for the climate
This groundbreaking partnership between Ayalon Highways, the Ministry of Transport of Israel, CarMedialab and Optibus is a significant step towards greener public transport. Electric public transport not only reduces CO2 emissions, but also improves air quality and helps combat climate change.

Partnership with Optibus
Optibus, a renowned company offering a SaaS platform, will help improve driver and vehicle planning and deployment optimization. The detailed insights into operations, punctuality and costs will enable operators to make public transport more efficient and meet the needs of passengers. MOBILEcharge receives dispatching information from the Optibus platform to optimize charging processes according to departure time.

CarMedialab is proud to be part of this unique project and to contribute its expertise in the field of electric mobility. We firmly believe that electric public transport is the future of mass transit and are committed to it with our innovative solutions.

Together with Ayalon Highways, the Ministry of Transport of Israel and Optibus, we are looking forward to a successful implementation of this project.

The e-buses are available at the depot in Tel Aviv

Joint solution for battery monitoring in electric buses

Écrit par admin le . Publié dans Public Transport.

New partnership between volytica diagnostics and CarMedialab
We are pleased to announce that we have signed a binding agreement with volytica diagnostics GmbH, the experienced software provider of battery diagnostic solutions, to further develop condition monitoring of vehicle batteries.

Growth in the electric bus market
With the global electric bus market growing at an unprecedented rate, customers worldwide have come to rely on turnkey solutions provided by market leaders. As the market expands, the need for transparency regarding the most critical wear parts of mobility turnkey solutions, such as batteries, becomes increasingly crucial.

Battery diagnostics solution for vehicle health monitoring
volytica diagnostics GmbH ‘s cutting-edge battery diagnostic solution is designed to address this need, enabling fleet owners to monitor battery health and make well-founded decisions regarding battery maintenance and replacements.

Claudius Jehle, Managing Director of volytica, emphasises: “By working with CarMedialab, we aim to provide fleet owners worldwide with comprehensive insights to ensure optimised performance and increased safety”.

“Our collaboration will improve the seamless collection of battery data in electric buses to monitor vehicle health. The raw data will be transmitted to volytica, where it will be refined and analysed. With the returned results fleet owners are allowed to easily access and display this validated information within their existing monitoring systems”, explains Heiko Bauer, Managing Director of CarMedialab.

Benefits and use cases for fleet owners
This cooperation will empower fleet owners with a range of benefits and use cases, including:

  •  Minimising costs by monitoring warranty conditions.
  • Optimising vehicle availability by detecting battery anomalies and proactively addressing issues.
  • Enhancing fire safety by identifying potential risks and implementing preventive measures.
  • Reducing battery load to extend service life and maximise the return on investment.
  • Determining residual value accurately, enabling efficient fleet management and asset evaluation.

Additionally, we are actively working together on future initiatives such as warranty extension programs and insurance offerings, further enhancing the value proposition for fleet owners.

Unique know-how and experience of both companies
volytica diagnostics GmbH, as a cleantech company based in Dresden, Germany is dedicated to revolutionising battery diagnostics by providing transparent insights into battery health. Their unique and scalable technology enables the analysis of field data transmitted from battery systems, unlocking valuable information regarding degradation, state of health, anomalies, safety risks, and state of charge.

CarMedialab, with over 20 years of experience as a telematics specialist in the automotive industry and the energy sector, brings unparalleled expertise in delivering software solutions for electromobility. Their broad range of services covers telediagnosis, smart charging and developer programs for automotive and mobile applications.

DAKAR mobilite: erster Elektrobus in Senegals öffentlichem Nahverkehr

CarMedialab's charge management solution widens its appeal on the international stage 

Écrit par admin le . Publié dans Public Transport.

Public transport companies in Belgium, Israel and Senegal opt to implement MOBILEcharge
A growing number of public transport companies are choosing INIT’s and CarMedialab’s innovative electromobility solutions. In just a few weeks, three public transport operators from across the world have opted for the charge management system MOBILEcharge from CarMedialab GmbH, a member of the INIT Group. Société des Transports Intercommunaux de Bruxelles / STIB Brussels (Belgium), DAKAR MOBILITÉ (Senegal) and Ayalon Highways Tel Aviv in cooperation with the Israel Ministry of Transport and Road Safety (Israel) will use MOBILEcharge to control and monitor their charging processes. 

The project in the Senegalese capital Dakar is the INIT Group’s first project in Africa, which means that, with the exception of Antarctica, INIT is now successfully operating on all continents.

Sustainable solutions worldwide
These projects will not only increase sustainability in public transport, but also help to change cities in a sustainable way, for example in Dakar. There, the transport operator DAKAR MOBILITÉ is in the process of electrifying the public bus network with the help of a Bus Rapid Transit project, while at the same time creating measures to combat congestion and pollution. Approximately 150 electric buses will be deployed by 2025, saving 59,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. In the long term, Dakar even wants to charge their bus fleet using 100% solar energy. This is the first project of its kind on the African continent.

In Israel, hundreds of charging points for e-buses will be connected with the smart charge management system in a joint project with the Israel Ministry of Transport and Road Safety and Ayalon Highways. Step by step, numerous charging points will be integrated in the depots throughout the whole country.

Société des Transports Intercommunaux de Bruxelles (STIB), one of the largest public transport operators in Belgium, recently signed a framework contract for MOBILEcharge. Over the next 10 years, up to 1,000 vehicles and 500 charging points from various manufacturers will be integrated there. By the end of this year, 50 charging points for up to 100 vehicles will be installed at the depot “Marly” and cost-effectively charged using MOBILEcharge.

MOBILEcharge is already being used by many companies in Europe and the USA for smart charge management. However, they not only rely on this powerful tool, but also on CarMedialab’s expertise when it comes to implementation. The company has made a name for itself in setting up and connecting complex system landscapes, is committed to interoperability and is intensively involved in the development of open systems and (VDV) interfaces.

MOBILEcharge – a smart charge management system

With MOBILEcharge, new and existing customers trust in a proven solution that guarantees cost-effective charging and ensures that buses are always available on time, sufficiently charged and preconditioned whilst also avoiding expensive load peaks. To intelligently manage charging processes, the charge management system should be connected to the MOBILE-DMS depot management system, which is where information is available about planned blocks for the next day and associated charging requirements. MOBILEcharge is part of INIT’s integrated product suite for electromobility, eMOBILE. This integrated overall system covers all the operational requirements of e-mobility and ensures that e-buses are introduced economically and operated efficiently.

INIT and CarMedialab lead the way in the field of electromobility
INIT CSO and Deputy CEO Dr. Jürgen Greschner is very proud of these orders and underlines the importance of emission-free public transport:

“The decision makers for ambitious future projects in Brussels, Dakar and Tel Aviv have chosen INIT Group solutions for the electrification of their bus fleets. We are delighted that they have put their trust in us and we look forward to supporting them and other companies in the development and operation of their electric bus fleets. With these orders, the INIT Group is helping pave the way for sustainable mobility and continues to be at the cutting edge of electromobility.”

Do your buses already run energy-efficiently?

Écrit par admin le . Publié dans Public Transport.

The sharp rise in energy costs in 2022 and the decline in revenues due to the pandemic are forcing transport companies to examine their processes and cost structures more than ever before. Especially 0since experts predict a further significant increase in electricity prices by 2030. Even the most favorable forecasts assume that electricity prices will remain more expensive than in the years before 2020 due to the global political situation.

Few factors have such a considerable impact on your bus fleet’s energy consumption as your drivers’ driving style. A study by the US Department of Energy shows just how significant the savings potential can be: an aggressive driving style leads to higher fuel consumption of between 10 and 40 percent. At current prices, this can quickly cause costs to spiral. The same applies to stationary vehicles with the engine running. With MOBILEefficiency the INIT Group offers a powerful assistance system for safe and energy-efficient driving that is appropriate for diesel-powered vehicles as well as for electric buses.

MOBILEefficiency: Saving fuel or power by optimizing driving behavior
MOBILEefficiency ensures that:

  • buses are operated economically
  • dwell times with the engine running are avoided
  • the driver is informed directly about events in real time
  • safety increases significantly

Encourage energy-efficient driving with MOBILEefficiency
The on-board computer monitors the vehicle’s data streams such as speed, rpm, acceleration, position, distance travelled and, of course, energy consumption. In addition, identification data is stored that enables an assignment to a specific vehicle, driver, trip, circulation and route. With the help of algorithms, the on-board computer detects dangerous or uneconomical driving styles and provides the driver with real-time feedback on excessive revving, unnecessarily long dwell times with the engine running, heavy acceleration or braking or excessive speed.

The on-board computer transmits the log of the entire journey with all data and events to the central system, where they can also be used anonymously. This data can be used to train staff to drive more economically and more safely in the future. Carrying out this analysis anonymously ensures that individual drivers are not highlighted.Public transport companies can choose different models to use MOBILEefficiency. For example, drivers can take part on a voluntary basis or be encouraged to participate by receiving a percentage of the fuel savings in the form of a bonus.

Increased economic efficiency and safety – the York Region Transit example
The extent to which MOBILEefficiency can increase economic efficiency and safety is demonstrated by a Canadian transport company: York Region Transit (YRT) from the Greater Toronto Area. After MOBILEefficiency was installed on their buses, fuel consumption was reduced by 40 percent in just four months. Unnecessary dwell times were also reduced by nearly 40 percent. In one year, unsafe and uneconomical driving behavior was reduced by 75 percent.

Learn more about the YRT project in the video:

Click here for more energy saving solutions from CarMedialb and the INIT Group:

DAKAR mobilite: erster Elektrobus in Senegals öffentlichem Nahverkehr

BRT project in Dakar, Senegal gradually taking shape

Écrit par cgiuffrida le . Publié dans Public Transport.

Presentation of the first electric bus out of 158 in total
The company DAKAR MOBILITE wants to create sustainable solutions for passenger transport, road congestion and environmental pollution with the help of the Bus Rapid Transit project. On April 4, 2023, the first 100% electric bus was now presented on the occasion of Senegal’s 63rd Independence Day. Dakar celebrated this with a big parade.

In total, 158 electric buses are planned within the project. The vehicles, which are around 19 meters long and have a range of 250 kilometers each, can accommodate 150 passengers. The modern e-buses offer access for people with limited mobility, air conditioning, WLAN and USB ports on board. With the help of the electric buses, 59,000 tons of CO2 can be saved each year. In the long term, Dakar even wants to charge from 100% solar energy. This is the first project of its kind on the African continent. In addition, around 1,000 new jobs will be created during the operating phase.

We are proud to be a part of this unique project and to provide our innovative charge management system MOBILEcharge for this purpose. It allows real-time monitoring and tracking of the charging infrastructure and processes, enabling optimal fleet organization. In addition, MOBILEcharge ensures that the buses are always charged according to demand, cost-effectively and in a battery-friendly manner.

Last week, our managing director Henri Depe Tchatchu visited the Dakar Mobilité office to discuss the status of the project as well as interfaces to partner systems. We are looking forward to this exciting project and the launch of the first 100% electric bus fleet in Africa!

Click here to watch the video of CETUD, the Executive Council for Sustainable Urban Transport in Dakar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8ao14qAPAQ

brussels passengers will use sustainable public transport. image of the atomium statue.

Brussels passengers will use sustainable public transport

Écrit par admin le . Publié dans Public Transport.

CarMedialab and INIT will charge the e-bus fleet of STIB in Brussels
STIB Brussels, one of the largest public transport operators in Belgium, recently signed a framework contract for the charge management system MOBILEcharge. During the next 10 years, up to 1,000 vehicles and 500 chargers from various manufacturers will be integrated there. Before the end of this year, 50 charging points for up to 100 vehicles will be installed at the “Marly” depot. The interfaces VDV 463 as well as VDV 261 will be integrated regarding the depot management system and for the preconditioning of the vehicles.

CarMedialab and INIT are looking forward to this project and to provide Brussels’ passengers with a reliable and sustainable public transport in the future.

More information about the benefits of a charge management system in our free document Potential cost savings of a charge management system and at https://www.carmedialab.com/en/public-transport/charge-management/.

VDV Elektrobusse

Easier and faster access to bus data thanks to VDV 238

Écrit par skrause le . Publié dans Public Transport.

A standard that was necessary from a technical and operational point of view
This brand new VDV publication is all about data communication in buses. The Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) has published the new recommendation on this important topic in issue 1/2023. Members of the association are operators of local public transport and develop new industry standards based on existing needs. Mobile data connections are being used more and more frequently in order to be able to react quickly in an emergency. This ability to transmit data in real time is valuable because it is used to continuously improve processes and prevent problems. In the past, there was often the problem of time-consuming “negotiations” between the transport company and the vehicle manufacturer about access to thevehicle data, because no standardized regulation was available. Thanks to VDV 238, this is now a thing of the past.

Advantages through VDV 238 :
Anticipating events

One use of vehicle data is so-called “predictive maintenance”. From historical and current data, a forecast for events in the future becomes possible.

Easy to use

Companies that are newcomers in the field of e-mobility receive a guideline  through this framework recommendation and can avoid mistakes through already existing, shared know-how.

Security

It is determined from the beginning which data is received will be received and therefore set up in the initial process. The data to be transferred is already defined and no longer has to be negotiated individually between the transport operators and the vehicle manufacturer. A standard always provides security, as the technical details are defined, which ensures interoperability.

Independence from manufacturers

Each company can choose its own solution without being limited to one to a specific system. Even if vehicles from different manufacturers are included in a fleet, the same fleet, the same data is received.

Transparency

Only the information that is requested reaches the operators. In addition, initial discussions in the context of Tenders become easier for all parties.

Fleet efficiency, -amortization and AI development

Another benefit is that monitoring and analysis will increase fleet efficiency by preventing errors. In addition, more qualitative data can help develop artificial intelligence.

This VDV publication 238 is a very important step, because the analysis of vehicle data enables transport companies to draw important conclusions and make data-based decisions for the future, and for software and hardware manufacturers, market neutrality is ensured. We are very happy to be a part of this development and hope to see this writing in many tenders soon.

The complete VDV publication can be found here: https://knowhow.vdv.de/doc