TfL equips Metropolitan Police with mobile technology solution to enforce London’s Red Routes
London UK, 6th September 2006 – Transport for London (TfL), has successfully implemented a new mobile technology solution from AMT-SYBEX and T-Mobile to improve travel conditions and enforce traffic regulations more effectively on London’s Red Routes – the capital’s most important roads.
The TfL Road Network, known as the Red Routes, accommodates one third of all road journeys made in the Capital. Under a special services agreement with TfL, Metropolitan Police personnel patrol 580km of the network each day with a brief to ensure that traffic can move freely without being impeded.
As part of a contract, which will run to the end of the decade, AMT-SYBEX has provided a turnkey solution for this “on-street” activity. The solution, based on AMT-SYBEX’s Field Data Collection System (FDCS), uses wireless GPRS infrastructure technology from T-Mobile to enable real-time flow of information to and from the streets.
With the cooperation and support of TfL’s Transport Policing and Enforcement Directorate and the Metropolitan Police, a phased training and roll-out programme was successfully delivered to 850 users during Autumn 2005. Ongoing managed service provides onsite repair, replacement and restocking of consumables to more than 25 bases throughout London.
Replacing traditional paper-based systems, on-street enforcement staff are now equipped with a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). Weighing a maximum of 300g, the T-Mobile MDAIII devices have built-in cameras and are supplied with Brother MW140BT, Bluetooth-enabled printers.
Pre-loaded with TfL map data, the PDAs enable personnel on the streets to issue Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs). Importantly, they also enable the delivery of real-time information back to supervisors at the TfL Control Centre via a hosted data warehouse. This can include vital management data on areas of congestion, broken down vehicles and damage to road signs and Red Route markings. Integration with TfL back office systems has also improved the previously manually-intensive notice processing method. Photographic evidence of contraventions, captured with the PDAs, can now assist in the event of a representation being made.
TfL are undertaking a number of initiatives to improve traffic flow along London’s red routes and the parking enforcement solution forms a key part of the drive to ‘Keep London Moving’.
Ian Whitefield, Mobility Solutions Manager at AMT-SYBEX says, “Many organisations like TfL are replacing traditional paper-based tasks with electronic information solutions that can be used on the move. Enabling personnel to deliver accurate information as incidents occur means radical improvements in efficiency can be achieved. We are pleased our Field Data Collection System is being used to such great effect in London and is helping TfL deliver on its commitment to reduce congestion and improve the frequency and reliability of transport services across the city.”
“Anyone that has travelled through London appreciates how important it is to keep the Red Routes clear,” says Derek Williamson, Director of Business Sales, T-Mobile UK. “This project will enable police personnel to conduct their job more effectively and will ensure that the TfL Control Centre has the most up-to-date information possible when trying to ensure that these routes, which are the lifeblood of London, are kept clear.”
About Transport for London
Transport for London (TfL) was created in 2000 as the integrated body responsible for the Capital’s transport system.
The primary role of TfL, which is a functional body of the Greater London Authority, is to implement the Mayor of London's Transport Strategy and manage transport services across the Capital. Under this strategy, one of TfL’s major responsibilities is the 580km network of main roads within the Capital. These are recognised as London’s ‘Red Routes’ comprise only 5% of the Capital’s roads but carry approximately 35% of its traffic.
About AMT-SYBEX
AMT-SYBEX is a consultancy and technology solutions provider focused on enabling the UK’s essential industries including utilities, transport, defence and the public sector. The company provides the best tools and advice on business performance and change, delivered by the most committed people.
Founded in 1990, AMT-SYBEX has developed a record of strong and consistent achievement, working in close partnership with leading organisations to drive real performance increases through the delivery of faster, more flexible access to asset, customer and eGovernment information. These include services and solutions that deal with asset management, mobile working, information management, service provisions and customer and information support.
The company is partnered with a number of leading essential industry providers including: National Grid, Untied Utilities, Transport for London (TfL), Network Rail, Scottish Power, ESB, Centrica, Scottish and Southern Energy, Powergen, EDF Energy, Metronet, South West Water and Veolia.
About T-Mobile
T-Mobile is one of the world’s largest mobile operators with around 80 million customers worldwide and in the UK it is the network of choice for over 16 million customers, more than any other UK network.
T-Mobile has a range of innovative products and services such as Business 1-Plan, U-Fix, a tariff that combines pay-as-you-go and a monthly contract and Web'n'Walk Professional, which enables customers to access their systems and information on the move. T-Mobile's network coverage is among the best in the UK (over 99% of the UK population) with one of the lowest dropped call rates. It offers the largest worldwide Wi-Fi network, with over 1,000 HotSpots in business-friendly locations in the UK and 19,000 worldwide, and offers a rapidly expanding 3G network across the UK.
For more information about T-Mobile UK, please visit www.t-mobile.co.uk
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