Lights on bus console?

[Pumbaa]

Here's one for you - what is the little bank of red/orange/green LEDs for on top of the driver console in buses? It seemed to light up from Green > O > R when going round corners/accelerating.

To me it seemed like a crude passenger comfort meter. Would be interested to know its true role though!

 

[starrymarkb]

It is pretty much that, it monitors driving style much like OTMR but feeds back to the driver, it also encourages eco-driving and gives quite a fuel saving, too much time on red means a chat with the driver trainer and some extra lessons

 

[DannyBoy]

It's called RIBAS (or similar)

The 5 lights are for
Over-Revving the engine
Idling too long
Harsh Braking
Harsh Accelerating (eg. jabbing the throttle)
Over-speeding

And the basic jist of it is like the previous poster said, eco-friendly and safe driving.

 

[royaloak]

Or when you are bored keep it in the red as much as possible , or is that just me

 

[driver9000]

out of curiosity what type of bus is the original post refering to as not all buses are fitted with this kind of monitoring device, certainly none I ever drove did anyway.....

 

[mbonwick]

AFAIK it's just SC Manchester's new MAN E400s that have it, the full Alexander and Scania examples aren't fitted.

 

[jon0844]

Warnings for harsh braking and accelerating? That's every London Bus I ever travel on.

There can't be any pedals on these, but rather a rocker switch for 'stop' and 'go'!

 

[transportphoto]

Norwich (First Group) has a traffic light system monitored by a computer - each driver has a KeyFob and has to tap in when they board the bus.

The only prob with them is that the 'judgement box' on most units is mounted diagonally to the windscreen so it always thinks it is going sideways. (meant to be straight to the windscreen.)

 

[Jordy]

I've seen these in Nottingham....I think!

 

[louis97]

We have these on all First Buses in Devon and Cornwall! Part of First Group's "Drive Green" program! although it doesn't work really, as its far to sensitive! and flashes red if you go over 40mph, which is no good if your on a dual carriageway, also in the a local town there is a roundabout which causes red or yellow to display whether you go over the top of it or around it, you simply cant win!
Most of the "Traffic Lights" have been destroyed by driver down here seeing as they find it as a way of spying on them, and will be used for taking disciplinary action against them in the near future!:roll:

 

[MCR247]

I've seen these in Nottingham....I think!

With which company? You may be thinking of the box that controls the GPS and tells the driver if he is late (it says things like -2 +4 0). Trent Barton are currently replacing these, as they are getting Ticket machines that have the technology in them

 

[transportphoto]

Yes thats right its the 'Drive Green' program.

Another prob I have just thought of is if a take-over diver does not touch in - I have caught stories about one driver being recorded as driving two buses at one time in two different locations!

 

[Pumbaa]

out of curiosity what type of bus is the original post refering to as not all buses are fitted with this kind of monitoring device, certainly none I ever drove did anyway.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_ALX400

These ones, and basically every bus in Liverpool from 2001 onwards. The S reg ex-London DAF250s also have these, but these are the oldest ones I've seen them on. There's about 12 LEDs - 5 green, 4 orange, 3 red.

Ta all for the info so far!

 

[466.networkers]

Down here in Kent Arriva's older Darts have them fitted, most of the time they seem to be in the red .... :P

I don't think our ALX400's have them, next time I'm on one I'll have a look ...