Over the past three decades, technological advancements have reshaped everything from the way buses are powered to how passengers experience their daily commute.
Real-time bus tracking and contactless payments have made public transport journeys easier, and safety features like collision avoidance systems are helping to prevent accidents.
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Advancements in the transit industry seem to move faster than ever and there is one technology company that has always forecasted the upcoming trends and been one step ahead to continually enhance the passenger experience.
The Australian arm of Luminator Technology Group has been providing and supporting technology products to the local market for over 20 years. Luminator has continued to provide the industry with a wealth of public transport solutions making its way into buses across the country.
“While the Luminator brand has seen global success in both the destination and passenger information equipment space, our focus now is adapting these products for the Australasian customer,” Luminator Australia senior manager of operations Anthony Goodman told ABC.
“We have successfully implemented lightweight destination signs and CCTV cameras systems. Our recently deployed camera mirror system has also been a particular success with customers, greatly improving driver safety and awareness around the bus, in all environmental conditions.
“Now, we are introducing our web-based software suite that is set to combine various passenger information functionalities into the one system, called the Luminator Software Suite.”
The concept of a combined suite system emerged when Luminator globally was inspired to provide a one-stop shop for all its leading capabilities. The idea was for Luminator Suite to combine the main functions that the company provides into one clear dashboard.
Prior to the Luminator Suite system, the company offered its product range as individual solutions for operators, with separate systems pertaining to content management, presentation creation and fleet management.
“As it previously stood, each solution was offered as a separate application on a computer in the depot, where only one individual could use it at a time,” Goodman says.
“This was quite restrictive, as well as a risk to the organisation. If that single computer malfunctions, the transit agency has lost all their destination and passenger information data.
“Luminator Suite allows multiple people at the depot to have access to the system and make changes when required.
“We are focused on bringing operators to that next level and ensuring that as technology evolves, they are included and evolve as well.”
Luminator Suite combines all Luminator’s best solutions into one system, from system administration, destination editor, operations and maintenance, content management and even a presentation creator. Operators can access all the information through a singular browser and control it all via a web-based application.
“The benefits are truly endless. We have created a centrally controlled browser that makes operating our systems not just possible, but incredibly efficient,” Goodman says.
The Luminator Suite’s most significant innovation is its ability to eliminate traditional operational constraints. Control centres can now deploy location-based presentations, advertisements, emergency notifications or delay information directly to specific vehicles, without requiring them to return to the depot. This remote access capability represents a fundamental shift in how operators manage their digital communication systems.
Real-time monitoring of all on-board Luminator equipment provides operators with instant verification and proof of play for advertising content. Operators no longer need to physically track down buses to update or verify content, as everything can be managed seamlessly through a single web interface.
“It can all be deployed through remote access, meaning presentations, advertising and videos can be sent directly to certain vehicles in real-time without them needing to return to the depot,” Goodman says.
“Customers don’t have to worry about their technology when the suite is running.”
By providing a centralised, reliable, and verifiable system, Luminator is not just offering a technology solution, but re-imagining the entire ecosystem of transport information management.
Although it is an exciting new update to Luminator’s Australian equipment catalogue, the system is tried and tested globally, particularly in the US market.
“We have seen success with Luminator Suite overseas and know that after conversations with local operators in Australia, we can tailor our solution to ensure our platform delivers precisely what they need,” Goodman says.
“This isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Operators can customise their system, selecting only the modules that align with their operational priorities.
“As an example, the Destination Editor module is web based. The buses do not need to be connected to a central computer for this module.
“For an operator, this removes the risk of losing the application at the depot level, yet still provides a cost -effective way for the operator to update the bus files, via USB.”
Current Luminator destination files used by customers can be exported directly into Luminator Software Suite, removing the need to recreate any historical information.
“We have created a platform that grows and adapts with their evolving technological needs,” he says.
By offering this adaptable approach, Luminator is positioning itself as a forward-thinking technology partner, ready to support the Australian bus and coach industry’s digital transformation.
Along with Luminator Suite for the passenger information system offering, Luminator also provides and supports vehicle CCTV systems and Electronic Camera Mirror Systems locally.
With the release of new local standards for buses relating to driver safety, Luminator is focused on a range of new products and functionality to support the requirements of the industry.
“As a supplier that has been in the industry for over 20 years, we need to constantly update our products and services to ensure our customers are provided with high quality, reliable solutions that will be supported by us locally,” Goodman says.
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