Mission critical

AROUND the world transport operators are seeing an increased number of people and goods being transported by a combination of ground and air vehicles – be they cars, taxis, buses, trams, metros, underground and overground railways, aircraft, or shipping. Airport passenger density continues to rise each year; global trade increases which affects shipping; while more and more people adopt public transport as fuel costs rise, which increases passenger uptake on buses, railways and metros. All these developments put pressure on transport operators to ensure that their services are efficient and run on time. As transport services get busier, the public becomes less tolerant of delays and want fast accurate travel information. Passenger safety and security is paramount in the running of a successful transport system. Operational managers require the right technology to help them and their respective companies provide efficient and safe services. Effective voice telecommunications systems covering fixed, wireless and specifically radio means are crucial, and these systems have become mission critical in nature. Their failure causes significant disruption to the travelling public and, in extreme cases, loss of life.