Gothenburg Urban Transport, Sweden

Gothenburg has the largest tram network in Europe. It is Sweden's second-largest city and is located at the mouth of the Göta River on the west coast of southern Sweden. The tram network has been regularly developed/upgraded as there is no metro system in operation. The tram lines in the suburbs do go through tunnels, where there is also one underground tram station. The trams and buses in Gothenburg are run by Göteborgs Spårvägar (known as Västtrafik). The primary means of public transport in the Gothenburg region are tram, bus and commuter train.

In recent years, significant investments have been made in extending the tram system to improve its accessibility and making it the most important mode of public transport. The tram system accounts for 60%, and commuter trains for only 2%, of trips made by public transport. A wide variety of priority measures for public transport has been applied. Trams have priority at nearly all traffic regulated intersections. In 2002, two new stretches of tram line were opened: Chalmers to Korsvägen (mainly through a tunnel) and from Sahlgrenska to Linneplatsen. Over the last few years, the existing M21, M28 and M29 trams have started to be replaced by the newer M31. Travel within Gothenburg is integrated: tickets bought for journeys can be used on both trams and buses.

Non-commercial road traffic has been growing steadily in urban and suburban areas. There are various restraint measures in place within the city centre that appear to be arresting the trend in this particular area. The city centre is largely pedestrianised, with the exception of the tram and buses. This helps keeps road traffic to a minimum, which also helps keep the city's air pollution under control; because of its geographical location, Gothenburg is prone to persistent air pollution.

TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS

Gothenburg Traffic Information Centre (better known as Gotic) aims to improve the public transport systems of Gothenburg by introducing information technology solutions. Gotic Research is an R&D project in which research and practical trials in the information sector, specific to public transportation, is conducted in association with researchers and suppliers involved in the sector. The aim is to develop a system specially adapted for Gothenburg for the presentation of real-time information, produced and transmitted by their current traffic control system, KomFram, to passengers on the public transport network.

Gotic Research is operated by the Traffic and Public Transport Authority in Gothenburg. Research within the framework of Gotic started in 1994 in collaboration with Chalmers University of Technology, the Department of Human Centered Technology and the Department of Transportation and Logistics. Gotic Research is funded by the Swedish Transport and Communications Research Board.

So far 15 research reports have been published, including research on:

• Real-time information via telephone
• Real-time information using pagers and broadcasting technology
• Information on public transport via the Internet
• Visual information onboard public transport vehicles
• Interactive interfaces for public transport information
• Design of real time display signs

KOMFRAM TO ITS4MOBILITY

KomFram combines precise vehicle location information with other data collected on the vehicle, making it available via radio frequency transmission to fleet manager and then to travellers via electronic signs and strategically located kiosks. In one database, relevant information can be sent to drivers, passengers, maintenance managers and traffic management. You can control, plan and estimate the flow of traffic and calculate vehicle exposure, passenger numbers and the budget quickly and accurately. Passengers are able to watch their tram or bus progress towards their stop on real-time tables and map displays.

KomFram (which means "Come Forward!") was introduced on the Gothenburg public transport system between 1990 and 1996. It was designed by a collaboration of university and company researchers; Teleteknik RT, a department within the Gothenburg energy utility developed the central system and a local company called Thoreb developed the vehicle system.

In 2000, Volvo Mobility Systems acquired Teleteknik and started to develop a new and enhanced version of KomFram. This upgrade was subsequently called ITS4mobility and was installed in Gothenburg during 2002. ITS4mobility tracks over 450 buses and trams in Gothenburg, providing real time passenger information to traffic controllers, information officers, passengers (at more than 140 at-stop displays), and via the internet and WAP. The system can use any radio communications protocol and can be installed for any size of fleet. The on-board units will also be installed shortly on ferries operating in the public transport system of Gothenburg.