GPS system monitors taxi position

The PIM features a 10.4in rugged touch screen display that shows the position of the vehicle overlaid on a map, allowing passengers in the back seat to track their progress through the city.

Mobile Knowledge has chosen a dead reckoning GPS module developed by u-blox for a passenger information monitor and point of sale system being used by New York City's Yellow Taxi fleet.

The Mobile Knowledge Passenger Information Monitor (PIM) is the most widely deployed passenger facing, in-taxi information, entertainment and point-of-sale terminal in the world today.

It combines GPS navigation and tracking, point-of-sale and entertainment functions in a single integrated device.

The NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission has approved the Mobile Knowledge and two other systems for this purpose and has mandated that all 13,000 Yellow Cabs operating under its jurisdiction be equipped by 31st August 2008.

To date, Mobile Knowledge and its Partners have deployed 5000 units.

The PIM features a 10.4in rugged touch screen display that shows the position of the vehicle overlaid on a map, allowing passengers in the back seat to track their progress through the city.

The PIM is able to accurately and reliably track a vehicle through New York's busy streets thanks to u-blox' dead reckoning technology.

Dead reckoning uses sensors in combination with GPS to provide 100% road coverage, even in areas with no GPS signals such as streets with high-rise buildings, tunnels and parking lots.

"From past experience in the New York market, we knew the challenges of the dense urban canyon of Manhattan and went to great lengths to source the best available positioning and location technology for the PIM".

"When sourcing a GPS receiver, we selected u-blox' LEA-4R dead reckoning GPS module for its unmatched reliability, accuracy and ease of integration".

"Ultimately, we wanted to ensure we were providing the New York City Yellow Cab fleet with a GPS solution that would not fail, no matter how harsh the signal conditions", said Kevin French, Chief Operating Officer at Mobile Knowledge.

In addition to the in-vehicle component, the system's web-based fleet management software offers an array of built-in functions that enable easy, efficient management of drivers and vehicles.

A real-time display of the status of taxicabs provides fleet managers with a clear and accurate picture of their taxi business and automates what was previously a manual and time consuming process of driver log sheet collection and submission to the city authority.

Other features such as electronic shift schedules, text communication with drivers (informing them about traffic alerts or where yellow taxis are needed), as well as a panic button that drivers may use inan emergency, ensure managers and drivers benefit from a highly automated and integrated communication system.

The system makes previously time-consuming efforts to locate lost and forgotten articles a thing of the past.

The passenger need only look at their receipt for the vehicle number of the taxi they were in and call a central number to request assistance.

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