Hi Friends,

Even as I launch this today ( my 80th Birthday ), I realize that there is yet so much to say and do. There is just no time to look back, no time to wonder,"Will anyone read these pages?"

With regards,
Hemen Parekh
27 June 2013

Now as I approach my 90th birthday ( 27 June 2023 ) , I invite you to visit my Digital Avatar ( www.hemenparekh.ai ) – and continue chatting with me , even when I am no more here physically

Friday 22 September 2017

A Trail-Blazing Urban Transport ?



In Mumbai , attempts are on , to turn  BEST  into something even  BETTER  !



PROOF :

On  12th Sept , Shri S R Jadhav ( Traffic Manager – Planning & Control ) sent to me following email :





Sent: 12 September 2017 14:58

To: Hemen Parekh


Subject: re: fw: A COMPREHENSIVE BEST SOLUTION


Sir,

This refers to your letter dated 21.08.2017 addressed to the General Manager, BEST Undertaking.


At the outset, we thank you for providing suggestions in connection with BEST bus operation.
The BEST Undertaking is in the process of developing App for BEST buses. Besides, we are also planning to install GPS on buses to get Real Time Information for updated Passengers Information System.

In connection with this, we have also noted your suggestion for Bus Route Indicator at bus stops.

We would also like to inform you that MMRDA is carrying out study for 'Dedicated Bus Lane' on major corridor of Mumbai.

Yours faithfully,
( S.R. Jadhav)
Traffic Manager
(Planning & Control)


This was in response to my following email :


=================================


From: "Hemen Parekh" <hcp@recruitguru.com>

Sent: Monday, August 21, 2017 10:01 AM


Cc: "Hemen Parekh" <hcp@recruitguru.com>


Subject: A COMPREHENSIVE BEST SOLUTION


BEST  getting  BETTER  ?


=================================


DNA ( 20 Aug ) carries a news report with following headline :


“ Now BEST to get smart with GPS , PIS on buses “

To ease the commute of travellers, the BEST Undertaking has claimed that they will ensure that the Global Positioning System (GPS) and Passenger Information System (PIS) is installed in its buses within six months.

" We are sure that the GPS inside buses and Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) at bus stops will be available to the public within six months," said SK Bagde, General Manager, BEST Undertaking.

==================================================================

While welcoming this passenger-friendly initiative , I urge Shri Bagde , to go for a COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION  by implementing my following suggestion ( emailed earlier on 15  Feb  2016 ) :




*   Gradually change over to air conditioned buses


*   Do not allow standee passengers ( this will require adding many more buses )


*   Introduction of BRTS ( Bus Rapid Transit System )


*   Bus Arrival Time Indicators  ( linked with GPS in all buses ) at all bus stops


*   A tablet type digital device fitted behind each seat , where passenger to touch his
     destination on route map displayed .


     Passenger will also touch his smart phone to the device which will transfer the fare
     amount to the bus operator , through a mobile wallet .


     No need for a conductor - as practiced in many foreign countries ! 


    This will tell the driver , at which stops , which passengers are getting off and how
    many seat / s are falling vacant

   
    If bus is already FULL and no passenger is getting off at the next bus stop, then driver
    will not halt the bus , since he cannot accommodate any standee passenger



    If a passenger is supposed to get off at , say XYZ stop , digital device will flash a
    signal / ring a bell , a few minutes before reaching the stop


   
    The Bus Arrival Time Indicator , at the Bus-stop will also display the " No of Vacant
    Seats " in this bus

   
    This ( No of Vacant Seats ) sign will also appear prominently on the bus itself as it
    pulls into the halt


    It is equally easy to introduce such an integrated traffic management system in Inter-
    City buses as well


    Entire intra-city bus traffic will be monitored and controlled from the Central Traffic
   Control Station of the city traffic department , much in the same way ATC control air
    traffic or railways control train traffic

   


    It is just a question of extending an existing ( but slightly modified ) technology to
    city traffic


    As far as density of traffic on various roads is concerned , mobile apps are already
    available


    Based on the situation , Central Traffic Control will order additional buses to be
    injected on any particular route , at any given time



    In some foreign countries , even elevator systems in large office buildings are
    designed to gauge :


    *  the number of persons waiting for elevator at each floor ( and how many want to
        go UP and how many want to go DOWN )


      
     *  the number of persons riding at any time , within each elevator ( and their travel
         intentions ) and adjust their stopping / halting pattern accordingly, automatically
         without human intervention !


     


Implementing such a system could not be a big problem for a country which takes pride in calling itself ,


A  SOFTWARE  SUPER  POWER 


Only thing lacking is political will 


If all of my suggestions get implemented , Mumbai’s BEST can become a BENCHMARK for Municipal Corporations of Delhi – Kolkata – Chennai and other Metro Cities



23  Sept 2017


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