ADVICE

Very tough, very low power, very versatile: ADVICE is able to deliver where other systems simply can't cope. An audio only system which dispenses with the cost and vulnerability of a visual display, ADVICE can be fitted almost anywhere. The ultra low power requirement of the system means it can be solar powered. Yet its capability is far from limited.

ADVICE features everything you'd expect from a transport information system: it can handle real time data, pass on disruption information or work from locally stored timetables. Menu options may be used to offer considerable amounts of detailed information if desired - full timetable listings are no problem. ADVICE communicates via GPRS so can be managed and updated remotely. It even measures and reports its own working status.

Naturally it offers councils enhanced DDA compliance - the visually impaired being the largest single disability group and one which is heavily reliant on public transport. Plus the system features REACT (RNIB's national standard) support - the REACT receiver is an integral part of the system which can thus be configured to respond to REACT (or other) keyfob transmissions to suit local requirements. Like REACT, ADVICE features multiple language capability.

Last but not least, the system offers a high degree of vandal resistance. The main unit is small and can be embedded well out of sight - and out of harms way. The customer facing elements are tough, hard to damage and easy to replace.

Our first systems are being developed for West Lothian Council where they will be installed at a mixture of sites ranging from remote bus stops with solar power to town centre locations where they will be fitted to existing shelters.

A new concept in rapid dissemination of important information. This is a complementary system enabling messages received in Control rooms to be sent to and displayed on screens in the train crew room within seconds.

The screens themselves are essentially industrial quality computers and high bright LCD panels housed in robust stainless casings with polycarbonate screen protection. They use our latest display software.

Tyrell2 templates cover emergency speed restrictions, slippery railhead conditions, sandite application and potentially overheating rails. The controllers are also able to see exactly what is on the displays at the remote locations.

There are now systems in South West Trains and Silverlink Metro.

Nexus Alpha has lauched Journeycheck, its multimodal real-time information web site solution. This integrates information from a number of sources, including Tyrell in rail control rooms, a departure boards feed (if available), and Underground disruption from the Tyrell system at Transport for London.

Journeycheck marks a change in the way Nexus Alpha provides Internet services. Journeycheck is a managed service, with upgrades and improvements provided as part of the package, the same approach that we have adopted with Tyrell.

During May and June our teams installed the latest version of the control office software (Tyrell2) in all the various control rooms of the Train Operating Companies.

The work involved going around the mainland UK from Exeter and Cardiff in the south and west, to Ipswich in the east and Glasgow in the north, as well as many other locations in between.

Tyrell2 enables revised calling patterns of train services to be automatically generated based upon the alterations made by the operator.

This has enabled the Association of Train Operating Companies to enhance their virtual arrival and departure boards (available via www.nationalrail.co.uk) within a scheme known as the RTTI Project.

Now for stations in Britain, as well as the TRUST movement data based information, the alterations, cancellations and predicted delays that are input intoTyrell2 in the TOC Control Rooms are included for the trains concerned.
Additional services can also be input from the Train Operating Companies for immediate display. Over 25,000 messages per month from Tyrell2 systems are thus supplying a level of detail to passengers concerning train service running that would not otherwise be there.

With the use of Nexus Alpha's Tyrell2 system, the British rail passenger now has available a breadth of information far beyond the movement data only based systems that exist in many other European countries.

The site allows the public to see any general network disruption affecting FGW, or to see disruption on specific trains. It goes further, including disruption affecting Paddington and Lancaster Gate Underground stations, to benefit those making onward journeys using the Underground. This information is provided directly from the Transport for London control room, making it a truly multi-modal solution. Additional information is provided giving details about how to get to Paddington and Lancaster Gate Underground stations.
 

West Lothian Council has recently commissioned Nexus Alpha to extend its bus departure information system in Livingstone to St Johns Hospital. As a key interchange with bus services St Johns Hospital representents a significant move towards ensuring that key locations on busy bus corridors, are served with up-to -the-minute bus departure information.

The system comprises of vandal resistant, environmentally controlled LCD displays capable of DDA compliant audio announcements. With four systems to be installed, one externally and three internally, the system will allow passengers to see when their bus services depart whilst inside the Hospital.

We have recently installed our new call centre Tyrell system in London Lines Call Centre. The system is designed to capture information from the network of Tyrell system across the UK and deliver targeted real-time information to the desks of call centre operators. Capable of delivering information to up to 100 desks, the system automatically forwards train running and infrastructure problems to every position, allowing operators to respond to customer queries with the best possible information available.

The system is currently being commissioned for Connex at their Call Centre in Tonbridge.

This year's INFORM Conference 'INFORMed Thinking: Telematics and Smartcard Developments' to deliver the Transport Direct Vision took place from Tuesday 1st - Wednesday 2nd October 2002 at the Maritime Museum, Liverpool. The conference featured a variety of papers on the latest research and development in multi-modal information and payment systems.
Featured as one of the latest recruits to the INFORM network and "at the forefront of real-time disruption information systems in the rail industry" Nexus Alpha took the opportunity to exhibit its products and services to the market place.

With the aid of an interactive stand, Nexus Alpha were able to demonstrate the ability of their integrated product suite. The display featured a Public Display Unit configured to show announcements of both timetable and exception information, with the latter being sent from the Tyrell unit also on show. Also featured was the ADVICE unit, a prototype demonstrating Nexus Alpha's ability to deliver very versatile real-time DDA compliant information at very low cost. Visitors were able to see what Nexus Alpha are doing and what projects they have coming up in the future. The display proved invaluable in visualising their own requirements and how to apply elements of the Nexus Alpha solution portfolio to those requirements.

The conference was excellent and the exhibition a great success. Nexus Alpha was able to gain a far clearer understanding of the transport industry, government initiatives and client requirements and to gather positive feedback as they grow within the transport sector.

The latest version of Tyrell has now arrived! Tyrell 2 incorporates a number of new features to make it even more powerful than before.
Some key new features include:
 

Nexus Alpha has been working with Transport for London to add real time information to their new Journey Planner. Work on the first phase is nearing completion, which will allow users of the journey planner to know if there is any disruption affecting their journey when making an enquiry, either service disruption right now or planned engineering works in the future.

The next phase due for implementation later this year will improve the depth of real time information to give detailed information about lifts and escalators out of service at interchanges and stations which will have a significant impact for mobility impaired travellers .

View the Journey Planner at http://www.tfl.gov.uk/Journeyplanner

c2c Rail are promoting integrated multi-modal information to ensure their customers are informed about disruption to the whole of their journey.

Information input into the Tyrell system of Transport for London is distributed to a server at c2c where it is analysed and filtered and sent via a Wide Area Network to a display screen at Fenchurch St. Station.

Passengers are given advance, warning of any disruption about their onward tube of DLR journey, thus enabling them to make alternative travel plans.

Contact for more details on how your business can benefit from delivering multi-modal information.

The Awards Committee at the Institute of Transport Management has awarded "Control Room Systems Supplier 2002" to Nexus Alpha. The award comes in the wake of continuous research into standards within this industry sector, conducted on behalf of the Institute of Transport Management. As a result of a request from its members, the ITM conducted a research programme into the rail industry. The programme examined the current and emerging trends; the technological advances; the possibilities within the industry; the major companies that are shaping and developing the industry. The awards programme resulting from the research report sought to acknowledge those companies at the forefront of the industry.

Bridget Moncrieff, ITM Administrator and Chairperson of the Awards Committee, commented on Nexus Alpha's success in achieving this recognition, "Our research programme highlighted the requirement in the rail industry for a partner in the area of data capture and distribution. Nexus Alpha has used its expertise to satisfy this need, allowing clients to concentrate on their core business. The company continues to contribute to the industry and we would like to congratulate Nexus Alpha on its many successes to date and look forward to witnessing future achievements. We are pleased to be adding Nexus Alpha to the Institute's Roll of Honour."

Patrick McDougall, Commercial Director Nexus Alpha Ltd, commented: "Nexus Alpha is delighted to have received this award from the Institute of Transport Management. We have been working hard for the past decade to provide quality, control room systems to our clients and it's rewarding to be recognised both for our products, and for our commitment to flexible, enjoyable working relationships."

Nexus Alpha was found to be the market leader in the provision of real time data capture and distribution within the UK railway industry. 22 out of the 25 TOCs (Train Operating Companies) use Nexus Alpha's systems - representing 96% of UK rail passenger services. The systems have multiple benefits for the transport companies and their passengers, namely: the ability to keep customers and staff informed with consistent, actual and accurate information and improved rail passenger service operations, staff morale and public perception.