Page 30 - TT mag April 2024 Digital Edition

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

buses have eased the financial comes to basic track and trace and aid other last-mile mobility
risk associated with acquisition solutions using GPS & telematics as a service (MaaS) offerings.
and improved operations and integration, there are solutions Even though ICE buses have
maintenance. that are available aftermarket caught up with the trends of
for ICE buses; however, in case predictive maintenance, driven
GCC model, even though of EVs, advanced telematics by increased sensor integration,
favourable for SRTUs, solutions are in-built. E-buses e-buses are far superior in
despite the commonisation with advanced telemetry capturing the overall system
of standards by CESL, faced also provide enhanced safety and enabling a digital twin
challenges in getting bids from solutions related to emergency equivalent with advanced
OEMs in the second phase that response, video surveillance monitoring for batteries, motors
were less inclined to support systems and advanced and all critical components.
operations and management collision avoidance systems. Thus, with better telematics
and issues with the financial E-bus have improved vehicle integration and predictive
health of SRTUs and their ability immobilisation capabilities and maintenance, EVs also fare
to make payments on time. are thus packed with higher better compared to ICE buses
Likely introduction of payment overall safety systems, which for overall fleet management,
security mechanisms from the reduces risks to fleet managers allowing improved tracking
Ministry of Heavy Industries in case of safety incidents. and diagnostics, which aids in
(MHI) would reduce the SRTU the higher acquisition price of
default risk and improve E-buses enable improved e-buses.
financial viability gap, allowing vehicle-to-infrastructure With SRTUs electrifying
OEMs to be more competitive (V2I) implementations, their fleet, large private fleet
in their bids. which would allow buses to
communicate with traffic owners are also likely to see the
Electric buses are inherently infra systems and networks advantage in terms of OPEX and
designed for better integration of charge point operators for value unlocked by innovative
into an intelligent transport improved route optimisation features in e-buses, which lead
system which would add value with minimal disruptions. to improved EV penetration.
by optimising scheduling, E-buses deployment can enable The author acknowledges the support
tracking and real time info improved implementation of from Athul Nambolan, Consultant at
to end-consumers. When it multi-modal transportation Nomura Research Institute (NRI). TT

30 TRAFFICINFRATECH / April 2024 / www.trafficinfratech.com