The only constant within the IT domain is change. Atos Origin is focused on the identification and utilisation of new developments in technology, and to apply those within scalable client solutions. Our fundamental goal is to enable our clients to realise measurable benefits across the whole of their transport business processes.

A number of emerging technologies which will have a significant effect in the future upon the transport Sector are detailed below, together with a brief summary view of the challenges and potential solutions:

Passenger Information Systems

For transportation providers investment in multi-modal passenger information solutions can become a very challenging business case to create. Advancements in technology that exploit new wireless environments at transport locations, and the demand from passengers for more personalised data through digital media, are prompting positive creative commercial collaboration providing the potential for easier business justification.

The increasing demand for wireless services by passengers can be met by companies already established in the business to consumer markets who can develop business through innovative value added services. This new approach to infrastructure provision enables the transport operator to provide tailored services to the passenger and internal company services to a mobile workforce utilising the same infrastructure, reducing investment costs.

Active Traffic Management Systems

In order to address future levels of congestion and to provide the traveller with clear real time related information, Active Traffic Management Systems and initiatives will come to be seen as an ever present feature throughout the network of the UK roads. Through the implementation and integration of new and existing technologies, the goals of Active Traffic Management Systems include: improving the reliability of journey times, reducing congestion, providing enhanced information to the driver and providing quicker response times to road incidents. Through partnering with both clients and technology providers, Atos Origin will endeavour to make these goals a reality.

 

Automated Road Charging Systems

Automated road charging systems are increasingly viewed by Government Transport Agencies at local and national level as the key to addressing congestion and to introduce a fairer policy of road user charging. The key considerations in this important area of debate are:

• What will be the impact upon the economy?
• What does the technical solution encompass and how will it cope with high volumes of data?
• What is the social impact upon local communities?
• What is the impact upon the environment?
• How can the solution be implemented across such a large user community?
• What is the political impact of any decision taken?

Atos Origin has the knowledge, skills and technology partner base to design, build and operate such solutions which will enable organisations to put their initiatives and policies into practice.

Smartcards for Transaction Processing

Transport organisations, both at the commercial and government levels, now look to offer the consumer multi-modal travel options in the bid to reduce costs, fraud and to centralise and reduce the processes related to travel related services. At the centre of such an initiative will be a smartcard solution designed to enable the user to securely pay for and travel via a number of modes of transport through one smartcard offering. Atos Origin has a proven capability in this field, with a track record in the design, build and operation of smartcard based systems built upon scaleable technologies to facilitate improved ticket issuing, checking, revenue collection and distribution solutions.

Intelligent CCTV

Intelligent CCTV offers the opportunity to enhance existing security monitoring services to incorporate proactive management of Transport locations by automatically highlighting and recording events in real time that are predefined within the intelligent CCTV system. Examples include the automatic recording of a passenger who runs up a down escalator, a car being driven above the speed limit on a motorway, or specific recording of an event if requested by mobile staff investigating an incident. The challenge is for suppliers to wrap a managed service around these new systems. Intelligent CCTV will see traditional security solution providers compete with IT service providers as more value add components are added to the core solution.

RFID

As transport organisations continue to look for new methods of differentiating their services, improving value to the consumer, and as costs associated to RFID continues to reduce, the challenge will be is how best to add value and reduce costs related to a number of business supply and distribution channels.

RFID technology can enable a clearer transparency in the monitoring of flow of goods and services in real time (track and trace), with the added benefit to integrate this information within dynamic front end applications to both the user and consumer. Atos Origin Consulting has a proven knowledge and skill base related to this new technology, and complemented with the vast technological partner base, Atos Origin has the capability to guide and advise the client in the transisition to RFID and also design, build and operate the technical solution.

Freight and Cargo Portals

As the need for ever clearer transparent information and visibility relating to the real time location of large and small deliveries, Freight and Cargo Portals bespoke to the client will become a key tool in informing the user and consumer. At Atos Origin, it is believed that although portals in use today will deliver value and differentiate the service levels of those organisations who have such an offering, the consumer will come to demand that this solution be an ever present part of the delivery process, and as such organisations will need to investigate how a portal can best fit and complement their existing business processes. It is Atos Origins vision and goal to design, build and operate such solutions, guiding the client at each step of the investigation and implementation process.

Open Source Software

Open Source enables organisations to introduce a flexible, cost effective yet highly capable and scaleable operating system to their existing IT architectures. As Open Source becomes increasingly accepted throughout the business industries, organisations are faced with the challenge of how best to realise the significant benefits and improved system efficiencies which this new technology can deliver. Atos Origin has a proven capability of open source consultancy skills and will endeavour to work in partnership with the client through the analysis and implementation in the delivery of a truly efficient and bespoke solution offering.

Biometrics Based Security Solutions

A key and ever increasing issue for transport organisations is how to strengthen and improve upon security. Pivotal to this will be the integration of a viable and non-intrusive security system based upon biometric technologies. Atos Origin has the capability to bring such solutions to market, leveraged the key skills and experiences within the company related to the ever increasing popularity of a biometrics based security solution.