A standardised approach for sustainable interoperability between public transport passenger information systems

A significant number of passenger information systems for public passenger transport exist throughout Europe at national levels but, regrettably, their trans-national interoperability is very limited. Any passenger information system depends on several underlying heterogeneous information systems; ranging from the management of transport infrastructure networks, public transport infrastructure objects, public passenger transport services, and public transport processes and regulations. Public transport service providers have their own local information systems that should be vertically interoperable with their national passenger information system. In the future, a trans-national interoperability system is anticipated for national passenger information systems when journey-planning across Europe.This paper explores the interoperability of passenger information systems and any appropriate ITS standards. An existing information system for the management of public passenger transport is described, and a proposal put forward for implementing sustainable interoperability requirements. Finally, a European Passenger Information System – EPIS is proposed as a new solution for the possible sustainable trans-national interoperability of passenger information systems across Europe.

► Solution concept for EPIS – European Passenger Information System. ► Sustainable trans-national interoperability of passenger information systems across Europe. ► PISs can be seamlessly added to and removed from the EPIS architecture. ► Further improvement of algorithms for hierarchical search of journey plans. ► Use of emerging technical standards for ITS, like IFOPT and NeTEx.