From information/service platforms to services in the transport and tourism sector : the European capitals approach.

The just completed European Union (EU) (DGINFSO) CAPITALS PLUS project addressed the demonstration and validation of transport telematics information systems and services based on system developments achieved in the former CAPITALS Project (Capitals Project on Integrated Telematics Applications on Large Scale). Five European capitals Brussels (Co-ordinator), Paris including the city and the region Ile de France, Madrid, Rome and Berlin have agreed to extend their information platforms, developed in the CAPITALS Project, towards integrated mobility service platforms, interfacing these with servers containing multimodal data, such as public transport timetables, and information sources from parking and weather information systems. On the basis of these platforms, information services have been developed and demonstrated. The results of the CAPITALS PLUS project can be summarised as follows : (1) The integrated mobility service platforms in the CAPITALS PLUS cities were improved and extended. The hardware and the functionality of these systems have been completed in a way that the information services can be operated. The assessment of the system availability was positive, the software performance was globally satisfactory, the user comprehension and acceptance (in Rome and Paris) was also satisfactory. (2) The pre-trip information services allow end users (travellers, tourists, citizens etc.) to receive traffic (public and private transport) information via Internet. This service has been developed in close cooperation between the cities Brussels, Berlin, Paris and Rome in order to harmonise access, functionalities and design as much as possible. Madrid has set up a pre-trip information service provided in infokiosks but which will be soon offered via Internet as well. User acceptance was validated in terms of: Credibility: Sufficient but can be improved; Usage Rate: Satisfactory; Intention to Use: Rather high; Use for Trip Planning: Adequate. (3) The on-trip information services comprise mainly two travel time information systems integrated into the VMS systems on ring roads in Brussels and Madrid. The services are based on real-time traffic data, common computation algorithms and many further features commonly agreed in order to display such travel times to drivers.