Vehicle Tracking System (VTS) application by Seoul's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

Vehicle Tracking System or known as VTS allow us to monitor vehicle in real time based on their positioning which can be trace by using a Global Positioning System (GPS). Furthermore, we also able to monitor the vehicle condition by using specific sensor such as weight measurement or tire pressure measurement.

GPS use Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) network. The network transmit microwave signal to GPS devices in the vehicle to give information on their location, speed, time and direction.
GPS provides special satellite signals. These satellite signal are processed by a receiver and send to server.



Source: http://edgeict.com/


VTS application by Seoul's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) was done to track the position on the bus fleet and to give real time update to customer. The bus tracking system is part of Bus Management System (BMS). It was introduced by then elected Seoul mayor, Mr Lee Myung Bak, who become South Korea President in 2008 (Korea University's alumni).

BMS uses uses advanced intelligent transport system (ITS) technology and Global Positioning System (GPS) which linked to the electronic fare system. Instead of just having information on the buses location, they are able to track information on the passenger boarding and individual bus or lane (bus track) performance. This require all buses to be fitted with GPS.

BMS center collect all data from the GPS to managing information and bus operation. By managing the information they are able to communicate to the bus companies, giver real time information to customers, and send data for display at bus stop. They also able managed network disruption better using the system which allow them to communicate directly with buses driver.


Copyright: Adapted from Yoon, 2008; and Kwon, 2010.

Customer can access the buses information online through website such as Daum.com or Naver.com which are the main website in South Korea. However, the information only on display in Korean. So you will need a basic Korean to understand the system.

The red dot in the map below represent bus station in some segment of Seoul City and if I browse the map in smaller scale we could see a lot more of red dots.



I am going to pick Myeondong Entrance bus station or bus stop for example of the BMS. You can see the bus station or bus stand with the bus symbol in the middle of below image.



The station bus or bus stop number is 02149. When i click on the bus symbol, i will be able to the see the incoming time of the buses toward this bus station in minutes and second as shown in below image.



초 is second and 분 is minutes. So you can see the bus arrival time and what time the second bus will arrive. For example bus number 104 will come in 31 second and another 104 bus will come in 10 minutes..

This allow customers or citizen to estimate the buses time arrival and plan their journey to their destination.

As for me, i think it is very convenient to travel by bus and train in Seoul because it is reliable and very convenience. Part of it is because both of the buses and train system is own by the government so it is easier for them to make proper change and modification. In fact in Seoul, the buses have their own lanes which make it even more efficient.