GPS for taxis

GPS today has endless uses amongst which is the novel one for taxis in the Basque city of Donostia-San Sebastian. In order to answer customers in the quickest possible time, a GPS system has been installed in cabs belonging to the Vallina TeleTaxi company.

The new communication system for the drivers of the taxis has been installed now for two months – the radio taxi is a thing of the past.

The British company, Auriga System, was commissioned to install the GPS vehicle location system. The computer software and GPS system do all the work. When the central office receives a call from a member of the public, their details are keyed into the programme and then the GPS seeks out the optimumly located taxi to attend to the customer. From a terminal fitted to the taxi the taxi driver will hear pips for five seconds. On pressing a button on this terminal, the customer pick-up location and other details will show up (if there is luggage or not, the destination of the client, long or short trip, etc.).

The taxi-driver accepts the fare by pressing a button and goes to pick up the customer. The GPS registers the exact location of the cab and from this moment the service is being registered at central office by satellite.

Moreover, taxi-drivers can advise central office, by voice messages, of any traffic problems (for example, if there are jams) and, likewise, the office can warn drivers of problems using this system.

The driver’s data and identification number appear on the computer screens at the central office and all vehicle movements made are controlled from these screens. For example, on a map of the surrounding province of Gipuzkoa, the location of and state in which a taxi finds itself can be monitored on the screen and its route followed in real time. All these movements are recorded and can be subsequently checked or analysed in order to know what services were carried out on any particular day or time.

When the taxi driver receives and accepts a call for a pick-up, the computer screen shows up that taxi in a red colour and when the taximeter is turned on, the screen taxi changes to yellow. On concluding the service the colour becomes orange and, when the cab is once again free for a fare, it turns green on the screen. This GPS system greatly enhances the service to the customer.

Contact :
Nerea Pikabea
Elhuyar Fundazioa
garazi@elhuyar.com
(+34) 943 363040