The development of a generic step-wise framework for achieving a multimodal platform in a development country environement

Abstract

Paper presented at the 33rd Annual Southern African Transport Conference 7-10 July 2014 "Leading Transport into the Future", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.

With information and technology becoming such a vital commodity in everyday life, it can be argued that informed travellers are the key to successful future transport services. Fortunately, it is recognised that the development of a multimodal transport system is needed in providing integrated traveller information. The relating challenges and the applicable considerations in attaining such an integrated system were researched. Following from this, a generic sequential framework that facilitates multimodal data integration and traveller information as a precursor to a fully integrated multimodal system was developed. In this framework four focus areas, related to the implementation requirements of the application environment considered, were identified. These areas are based on the premise that current technological evolvements need to be exploited in order to breach the missing intelligent link between the various application environments. The focus areas are: 1) the multimodal transport network and the design and modelling thereof, 2) the role of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) in achieving a multimodal platform, 3) the need for and the design criteria of a centralised database, and 4) the need for and the travel information requirements of a multimodal Journey Planner (JP). The establishment of such a concise framework (along with its associated steps in attaining multimodal information) will go a long way towards providing the impetus, and eradicate the barriers, in achieving sustainable traveller information services. Ideally, South Africa (SA) will be able to empower a better transport service that spans across the nation’s social barriers.