Setting up digital destination displays

[Ken H]

The question has been asked on the rail section as to why rail replacement buses don't display where they are going.
I am not sure these displays can be set up by the driver but need a computer to do it and the data delivered to the bus somehow.
So how does it work and could they be made to display relevant stuff for rail replacement buses without loads of hassle?

 

[busestrains]

The question has been asked on the rail section as to why rail replacement buses don't display where they are going.
I am not sure these displays can be set up by the driver but need a computer to do it and the data delivered to the bus somehow.
So how does it work and could they be made to display relevant stuff for rail replacement buses without loads of hassle?

It is very simple to program them. You just download the relevant software for Hanover or Mobitec (whichever of the manufacturer that makes the LED board) and you can program them to say whatever you want. This does have to be done on a computer. So the driver can not just type anything on the bus. However it is very quick and easy to just add an new destinations on a computer and then use a USB to quickly load the new destinations on to the bus.

Some bus operators will just use the generic "rail replacement bus service" but there are some that have programmed a full range of destinations in to the boards to display so that they can display the destination.

Southdown PSV have even got the automated announcements working for rail replacement bus services on their newer vehicles so some operators are quite good with this sort of thing.

So to answer your question the buses can display the destination fairly easily if the operator programmes the destinations and some do but many operators just do not bother with this.

 

[Ken H]

It is very simple to program them. You just download the relevant software for Hanover or Mobitec (whichever of the manufacturer that makes the LED board) and you can program them to say whatever you want. This does have to be done on a computer. So the driver can not just type anything on the bus. However it is very quick and easy to just add an new destinations on a computer and then use a USB to quickly load the new destinations on to the bus.

Some bus operators will just use the generic "rail replacement bus service" but there are some that have programmed a full range of destinations in to the boards to display so that they can display the destination.

Southdown PSV have even got the automated announcements working for rail replacement bus services on their newer vehicles so some operators are quite good with this sort of thing.

So to answer your question the buses can display the destination fairly easily if the operator programmes the destinations and some do but many operators just do not bother with this.

Thanks

 

[M803UYA]

It is very simple to program them. You just download the relevant software for Hanover or Mobitec (whichever of the manufacturer that makes the LED board) and you can program them to say whatever you want. This does have to be done on a computer. So the driver can not just type anything on the bus. However it is very quick and easy to just add an new destinations on a computer and then use a USB to quickly load the new destinations on to the bus.

Some bus operators will just use the generic "rail replacement bus service" but there are some that have programmed a full range of destinations in to the boards to display so that they can display the destination.

Southdown PSV have even got the automated announcements working for rail replacement bus services on their newer vehicles so some operators are quite good with this sort of thing.

So to answer your question the buses can display the destination fairly easily if the operator programmes the destinations and some do but many operators just do not bother with this.

It'd be possible to program in known destinations to the destination file - so if you're a regular operator of preplanned Rail Replacements you'll know the most common routes to be covered - it's different when it comes to emergency cover.

 

[Darklord8899]

The best rail replacement display I ever saw was a bus with

"I'm a train, choo choo" and the standard loco graphic on the destination screen

 

[computerSaysNo]

I've heard that some destination displays let the driver have free text entry; I would have thought Tour operators or other companies who frequently carry out Rail Replacement work would be more likely to have these.

 

[Citistar]

I've heard that some destination displays let the driver have free text entry; I would have thought Tour operators or other companies who frequently carry out Rail Replacement work would be more likely to have these.

This is very dependent upon the controller installed. Certainly for Hanover systems it requires the more elaborate controller which most operators don't specify. It also then introduces a required level of trust between operator and drivers to not abuse such a facility.

Two operators locally to me (Centurion and Chandlers) both have destination sets with a substantial collection of pre-programmed rail replacement displays with specific destinations, providing the driver is willing to scroll beyond the most commonly used displays at the start of the dataset.