RFind Commences Deployment of a Real-Time Location System Across Calgary Transit's Light Rail Transit Network
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Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada - RFind Systems, Inc., a supplier of innovative, infrastructure-free Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) using active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, announced today that it has commenced deployment of RFind's RTLS solution across Calgary's Light Rail Transit (LRT) network. RFind was awarded the contract by the City of Calgary earlier in 2010 to provide the solution, in support of Calgary Transit's initiatives to implement Intelligent Information Systems across city services, with a focus on providing better customer service across the transit network.
The location system provided by RFind provides several functions that will allow the implementation of an Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) for the LRT operated by Calgary Transit (CT). The solution will enable the APIS system to generate predicted arrival times for the next three trains at every platform and trigger announcements of the next train arriving at each platform. In addition, CT will obtain daily operational data automatically from the location system, in relation to distances travelled by each train car each day, and the combination of cars used to make up each train (which can change on a daily basis), thus replacing the manual data collection methods CT currently uses to gather this information.
"Our unique, simple, infrastructure-free location system architecture, based on our patented Tag to Tag(TM) communication, offers Calgary Transit a highly cost-effective and pragmatic solution to their needs," said Sharon Barnes, CEO of RFind. "By using our self-powered, wireless hardware to implement RTLS across the LRT network, the deployment can take place rapidly without significant impact on CT's daily operations. The system overall represents a significantly lower investment requirement for CT when compared with traditional RTLS architectures."
Calgary Transit considered various RTLS solutions, including retro-fitting traditional train-tracking technology, before awarding the contract to RFind. RFind's solution was attractive due to its superior cost-effectiveness, simplicity, future scalability and ease of deployment. The RTLS architecture comprises just three highly robust hardware components and location data processing software. It offers the ability to mix different location finding techniques into one solution, ranging from simple presence detection up to triangulation/trilateration methods, in the most pragmatic manner to suit customer requirements. All hardware is designed to be simple to deploy, being self-powered and quickly attached in position with screws or straps. With all devices communicating wirelessly, the solution is highly scalable, flexible and portable, capable of future extension or quick adaption to changed requirements, simply by moving or adding components as required.
"RFind is immensely proud to assist Calgary with realizing one of their key transit initiatives." Barnes continued. "RFind's flexible RTLS solution is an affordable technology tool that makes transit networks more efficient to operate and more convenient to use."
RFind, Inc. is a leading-edge RFID and RTLS manufacturer that provides wireless solutions that are scalable, affordable, and implementation does not require expensive infrastructure changes. Dedicated to building an efficient, turn-key RFID/RTLS solution, RFind's patented Tag to Tag(TM) communication technology was developed in 2005. It offers a more cost effective and efficient means of implementing RFID/RTLS technology, overcoming barriers to deployment posed by the typical investment in infrastructure required by conventional RTLS. RFind solutions have been deployed in yard and depot management, asset tracking, production sequencing and process control applications for transit, automotive and industrial manufacturing clients world-wide. Find out more by visiting RFind's website at www.RFind.com.
RFind Press Contact:
Sharon Barnes
CEO - RFind Systems Inc.
(+1) 250.862.3412
sbarnes@rfind.com
