Public transport telematics in Mladá Boleslav: Herman has supplied a modern C-ITS solution for smart transport

The town of Mladá Boleslav has made progress in the digitalisation of public transport and strengthened its position among smart cities in the Czech Republic. As part of a joint project with Swarco focused on the development of transport telematics, Herman has supplied a modern C-ITS solution for public transport vehicles, which significantly expands the capabilities of the transport system, improves traffic flow and introduces new safety and information features.

Complete installation of OBU/UCU on-board units on public transport vehicles

Modern UCU on-board units developed by Herman were installed on the transport company’s buses. These C-ITS units, mounted on the vehicle roof, integrate:

• V2X communication for connection to surrounding infrastructure and other vehicles,
• an LTE module for connection to the city’s C-ITS Back Office,
• a high-precision GNSS module for positioning,
• security certification mechanisms compatible with PKI requirements,
• complete hybrid communication in accordance with European C-ROADS standards.

The implementation also included full integration of OBU units into vehicle on-board computers and the Ethernet network. The solution is designed to be open and interoperable, enabling integration with third-party technologies regardless of their manufacturer.

Driver display unit

An important part of the delivery is also the VST 070 KEp 01 control and display unit. This device clearly displays all information coming from the OBU, providing the driver with:

• C-ITS warning and information messages,
• alerts regarding emergency services vehicles,
• visualisation of the traffic signal plan for junctions (SPAT/MAP),
• an overview of the current priority status.

The display is powered directly from the OBU, and the fixed mounting is designed to withstand the demanding conditions of public transport operations.

Automatic priority for public transport vehicles at junctions

One of the key benefits of the project is the deployment of intelligent priority control using C-ITS SREM and SSEM messages. The system enables:

• automatic evaluation of the vehicle’s current route,
• the identification of relevant junctions,
• the sending of a priority request based on position, ETA and any delays,
• dynamic real-time updates to requests,
• automatic log-off after passing through an intersection, without the need for physical login points.

This method of priority management is significantly more accurate, efficient and requires less maintenance than traditional technologies.

Connection to the city’s C-ITS Back Office

The installed OBU units are fully integrated into the C-ITS Back Office of the city of Mladá Boleslav. Communication takes place in accordance with the current versions of the relevant protocols. The units continuously transmit:

• their operational status,
• their own generated C-ITS messages,
• DENM and IVI messages received from the surrounding area.

The system thus creates the complete data flow required for smart mobility management in the city.

Central management via the Anbos platform

The solution also includes the implementation of the Anbos server system, which serves as a central monitoring and configuration platform for OBU units. It enables:

• remote software updates,
• configuration of network and telematics parameters,
• user account management,
• monitoring of unit status and error conditions,
• viewing movement history, warning messages and active preferences.

Technical advantages of the solution

The units supplied comply with relevant European standards and requirements, feature integrated antennas and are equipped with advanced sensors – an accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer. Their robust construction ensures high durability and enables long-term use in urban traffic.