Businesses that operate commuter vehicles such as buses often face challenges in getting accurate data about the number of passengers that board their vehicles at any given time or location. These companies need that information for purposes, such as identifying the most profitable routes or the loss-making ones, and planning human resources, etc. Luckily, the transport companies can use automatic passenger counters to capture crucial data about the number of passengers who board and alight at every stop.
How the automatic passenger counters work
The system comprises cameras that monitor each entry and exit point. They are connected to a counting unit running a software algorithm capable of detecting entries and exits. The system also has an embedded video server that allows users to view real-time video footage together with the people counts. This enables the users to accurately verify and set the system remotely.
Advantages of automatic passenger counters
Transport companies should consider investing in systems for counting passengers because they offer the following benefits:
Provide accurate passenger counts for revenue accounting
The number of passengers that board the vehicle and the distance they travel is crucial for the public transport businesses because it translates to revenue. Due to possible incidents of employees being dishonest and not handing in the total collections from commuters, automatic passenger counters can come in handy to prevent such dishonesty.
The fleet managers and the office staff can easily match the money handed in and the data to confirm if the total collections were deposited. To ensure no money is lost and enjoy other benefits, companies running passenger transport should work with reliable providers of automatic passenger counting systems, such as Eyeride, to have the systems installed in their vehicles.
Allow planning on vehicle equipment to meet commuters’ needs
Because the automatic passenger counters use advanced and sophisticated technologies, they provide much more data than just the numbers of commuters. For example, the system’s sensors can differentiate between the people, the luggage, and transport-related items such as bicycles, wheelchairs, and strollers. Using the data, the operators can adequately plan the space requirements in the vehicles to accommodate these objects. Also, the transport companies can work on having wheelchair access ramps as the demand for them may be.
Enable transport operators to adjust vehicle capacities
The data obtained from the automatic passenger counters fitted on buses, trains and other commuter vehicles allow businesses in the public transport sector to plan accordingly to meet the needs or demand. Over time, the information gathered can show if it is necessary to introduce large-capacity vehicles or add more vehicles on a route that has many travelers making the available automobiles inadequate. Likewise, the providers of even train services can use the data to add more train trips to ensure all travelers are well served.
Allow proper commuter guidance with real-time data
Real-time data from passenger counting systems from various train units or buses can enable the fleet management or the station managers to guide passengers to the vehicles or trains with vacant seats. This can happen when the passengers are still waiting at the railway stations or bus stops where some methods can be used to indicate the available seats in the incoming buses or trains. As such, commuters can spread out to be at the various stopping points in an optimum manner so that when the vehicle arrives, they board in the shortest time hence saving time and improving customer service.
Final thoughts
Using automatic passenger counters in public transport can ensure proper planning to improve customer service and can enable accurate revenue accounting, among other benefits.
