A Smart Information System for Passengers of Urban Transport Based on IoT

Hugo Estrada-Esquivel,Javier Ortiz-Hernandez,Yasmin Hernandez-Perez,Alicia Martínez-Rebollar,Pedro Wences-Olguin

doi:10.3390/electronics11050834

Hugo Estrada-Esquivel, Javier Ortiz-Hernandez + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics11050834

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Abstract

Several developed countries have implemented smart systems for public transport that provide mobility services for citizens. Most of these systems use special infrastructures to determine the location of citizens and public buses. However, the implementation of these systems does not take into account the poor infrastructure of developing countries. In Mexico, Urban Passenger Transport has insufficient transport units to meet the demand of passengers who move throughout the day, and these do not consider hardware infrastructure. Our solution is focused on inexpensive devices that are accessible to citizens, such as mobile phones. In this research work, a smart information system for passengers of urban transport is presented that allows passengers to know the expected arrival times and also to know the availability of seats on the bus that is heading towards their position. The solution was evaluated with real routes, and the results are promising for a pilot project to be put in practice.

Highlights

The main problem with the public transport system in Mexico is the lack of appropriate mechanisms to manage the large number of means of transportation, such as buses, metrobuses, or metro [2,3]
In the case of a smart mobility system, such as the one proposed in this research work, the users need to know the location of buses in real time in order to improve the times used to reach a destination
A realistic scenario was selected to perform the experimentation of the mobility system on a bus route of a city in Mexico, in the city of Cuernavaca, which is in the central region of the country. This city is a good example of most of the common cities in Mexico, where there are no schedules for public services and, the arrival times are completely chaotic

Summary

Introduction

One of the most relevant issues in cities is mobility. The current situation of traffic congestion in cities leads to several health problems derived from pollution, noise, and, obviously, the great stress in drivers who spend several hours in traffic to reach their destination [1]. The implementation of systems of this kind involves the development of software and hardware infrastructure in the city. In Mexico, there are only a few examples of intelligent transportation systems that help users’ mobility In this scenario, intelligent mobility solutions must take into account the context of cities with limited infrastructure that have computational resources of the users that need to provide effective solutions. The concept of a Smart City requires the implementation of mechanisms to know the real time context of the services provided to the citizens. In the case of a smart mobility system, such as the one proposed in this research work, the users need to know the location of buses in real time in order to improve the times used to reach a destination

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