BusConnects Dublin – NTA

BusConnects Dublin is a major investment programme to improve public transport in the city, with a focus on increased efficiency and reliability.

Compass Informatics’ role was to provide a visualisation and route planning tool to illustrate how the changes would impact journeys and generate public discussion.

About The NTA

The National Transport Authority or NTA is the transport authority for Greater Dublin and the public transport licensing agency for Ireland.

The NTA took over certain functions from the Department of Transport and the entire role of the Dublin Transportation Office.

The NTA operates under the consumer facing brand Transport for Ireland.

Project Requirement

In advance of the second phase of public consultation for the Bus Connects Dublin (BCD) project, the National Transport Authority (NTA) identified the need for an online tool.

The tool must allow members of the public to visualise how the new BCD network will facilitate their day-to-day travel.

It also needed to be reliable and robust to accommodate high volumes of requests, cost effective and easy to use.

Compass’ Solution – BusConnects Dublin Route Mapper

The Route Mapper relies upon Open Street Map (OSM) as the underlying base data in the application, combined with Open Trip Planner and the NTA’s proprietary GTFS data.

  • OSM is a reliable and cost-effective mapping platform which can be used for web applications.
  • The GTFS Dataset is the proprietary NTA data relating to different transport options available, bus stops and timetables. 

OpenTripPlanner (OTP) is a family of open source software that provides passenger information and transportation network analysis services.

The component finds itineraries combining transit, pedestrian, bicycle, and car segments through networks built from widely available, open standard OSM and GTFS data.

Routing parameters are configured to represent the proposed network and service schedules.

The search function can allow up to 3 route options, where available:

  1. A direct bus route
  2. The fastest bus only option regardless of number of interchanges
  3. The fastest bus & rail option with at least 1 rail leg (Dart, Luas, rail)

The User Interface enables the user to search for their starting location using:

  • My location
  • Plate code (the unique identifier on bus stops in the Dublin area)
  • Address
  • Eircode
  • Place name

The search function is restricted to a distance of 3000m from the Dublin Bus Network, with an error notification if users try to select areas that are not in range.

Solution Snapshot

Route Mapper User Interface.

About TGI

Tracsis Geo Intelligence, a sister company of Compass Informatics, emerges with a sharpened focus on Earth Observation, Sustainability, and the UK Market.

Building upon the expertise and experience of Compass Informatics, Tracsis Geo Intelligence offers a comprehensive suite of geospatial solutions.

Compass Informatics is a leading provider of geospatial solutions, specialising in the application of GIS, IT, and mobile technologies across various sectors, including transportation, environment and natural resources.

Tracsis Geo Intelligence and Compass Informatics are both part of the Tracsis Group.

To learn more about this project, and how the solution provided may benefit your organisation, please contact our team at contact@tracsis-geointelligence.com.

Testimonial


‘In the design & delivery of these services, the staff of Compass Informatics have displayed a high level of technical skill in & have engaged well with management in designing solutions that are fit for requirements.’

Transport Sector Data & Systems Manager - BusConnects Dublin – NTA