A new generation of passenger information systems: a single core database and easy tools for consulting

Passenger information has always been considered as strategical for the RATP Company which transports about 8 million people daily for Paris and its surroundings. RATP decided to become more efficient in producing passenger information by creating a single core database and easy tools for consulting. The system developed, SUROIT, is described by the author. SUROIT has a huge core database gathering transport data collected from the suppliers´ systems for all modes (trains, RER, underground, tramways and buses) in an open reference data base. This information is collected through different ways according to the supplier (networks, cartridges, disks, papers, etc.). The tools used for consulting the database are discussed and include a visual display route, videotex, CD-ROM, and interactive terminals