In order to ensure maximum comfort and to save money, most public transport operators have been implementing interoperability for some time. This system, which has already proved its worth in the health sector, also offers several advantages to transport networks. So why is interoperability important to public transport? How does it work? Read this article to find out.
What is interoperability?
Generally speaking, interoperability is explained on this website and defined as the ability of a system to work and stay in harmony with other systems. In other words, it is a computer mechanism that works automatically and connects various computer products or systems. Therefore, for its proper functioning, interoperability is based on a number of standards and protocols that are the work of computer innovation.
Moreover, interoperability is a tool that allows operators in the field of public transport or logistics to have a better quality of communication. Indeed, they can talk to other people on the telephone, even if they do not have the same telephone network as themselves. For example, two people using telephones with different operating systems can communicate.
A driver of a transport vehicle can easily communicate with his passengers. It should also be noted that interoperability is a concept that promotes the smooth functioning of email. And thus exchanges between logistics or public transport managers, suppliers and customers. Indeed, public transport operators are able to provide the users of their means of transport with tickets automatically and to inform them of departure and arrival times without difficulty.
Interoperability between transport networks
As mentioned above, interoperability seems to be very beneficial to public transport network operators and their passengers. Indeed, thanks to computerised ticketing technology, customers or passengers can travel easily at national and even international level. As they can merge all travel cards and tickets through a software or application. This creates interoperability between the different transport networks involved.
As a result, one transport network can accommodate passengers from another network with similar operating rules. As a result, passengers can travel with peace of mind and without worrying about parking and access control. However, it seems important to stress that interoperability is not necessarily final interconnection. Especially since the latter can prove to be dangerous to transport network operators over time.
In the sense that with this technology, the different systems that are merged become dependent on each other. As a result, the malfunction or failure of one system systematically destroys the whole of the network systems put together. So, as a precaution, only the elements necessary for communication between the networks are used. And each system continues to function independently.
Achieving cost savings
Interoperability between public transport networks saves operators millions. Indeed, the fact that a transport company has more information and ease in managing its passenger customers allows it to harmonise its activities. The transport company respects departure times and also drops off passengers on time according to schedule. In addition, several elements benefit from interoperability.
These include the interconnection between the management mechanism of the transport services, the checkouts and the transport vehicles. In conclusion, interoperability is a very beneficial mechanism for public transport. It makes this field more efficient and modern for the financial profitability of operators and the comfort of passengers.