Using a host of visual features both inside and out - such as a door entry and exit system controlled by LED lights using traffic light colours, a seat identification system or externally aligned monitors, and also information systems in the interior - the responsible project managers hoped to gain an insight into whether and how passenger flows could be managed more specifically and rapidly. It was also hoped that the newly designed area opposite doors 2 and 3 would shed light on the flow of passengers. Here fixed seating or spaces devoted purely to pushchairs or wheelchairs were dispensed with, and in their place an open space with folding seats and leaning areas was created. Another goal of the trials, which were conducted in real regular service conditions, was to ascertain the best information channels and best content to use to address passengers, tourists or tour groups. A comprehensive host of additional equipment (WLAN, GPS amplifier, 240 V sockets) was designed to enhance the appeal of regular service buses, and also to provide information on whether such features could generate new target groups or even strengthen the appeal of regular service buses for existing users.

Insights from the passenger information systems project

Nine months of regular service operation have provided a very clear picture of the practical application of such systems. While follow-up work still has to be carried out on some ideas, others have proved suitable for immediate implementation. The design of space using leaning areas and folding seats was in fact so well received that the Bremerhaven Transport Authority has already applied the idea by retrofitting the design to many of its vehicles. Newly acquired vehicles will basically help to continue to implement the idea. Another success was achieved in the area of passenger information systems. Two-thirds of the fleet have already been fitted with 20-inch monitors. The mixture of infotainment, news reports and transport connection information proved so popular among passengers that the transport operator sees this as a significant measure for increasing the appeal of the bus service. Although passengers did not consider a lot of the additional equipment such as WLAN, 240 V sockets and the seat identification system to be absolutely essential, such measures were nevertheless viewed positively within the context of modernity. The same applied to the innovative exterior design and the door entry illumination system: the latter was viewed by users more as a decorative or design element, and no particular change in entry or exit behaviour was noted during the test phase.

European driver's cockpit project

As part of the project for an ergonomically optimised European bus driver's cockpit, the EBSF project explored driver issues. The project examined in detail what parameters would have to be established in order to create a standardised European driver's cockpit, similar to what has been achieved with the VDV 234 guidelines in Germany.
Apart from the ergonomic aspects, factors such as the driver's personal needs, safety considerations and compliance with European regulations were looked at. The test series was carried out at the Fraunhofer Institute for Transportation and Infrastructure Systems in Dresden, based on a variety of statistical data (in terms of sex, age, height) and using test subjects (active drivers) from Rome, Dresden and Gothenburg.