GPS triggered systems offer the following advantages over manually triggered (traditional) audio systems.
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Automatic trigger points – Traditional systems required the driver to activate each track. As a result, the tracks tended to be infrequent and long. As the GPS triggers the tracks automatically, we can now have tracks that are more frequent, shorter and far more relevant to what is being seen from the bus.
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Driver delays – The driver no longer needs to activate the tracks, as they are played automatically on position, speed and time. No longer will the tracks play too early or too late due to the driver missing or forgetting to activate the track.
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Traffic delays / Detours – Traditional systems played the tracks sequentially (i.e. track 1, then 2 followed by 3 etc) which caused problems if there was abnormal traffic congestion or detours. One or more of the following problems happened:
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The commentary did not match up to where the bus was
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The driver had to add in tracks from a manual list
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There were long times of silence.
With GPS-triggered areas, the tracks are played asynchronously - this means that the GPS system can easily add or skip tracks, automatically, depending on traffic conditions. If a detour from the normal route is detected, filler bites are automatically played. If heavy traffic conditions are experienced, additional detail is automatically added. Our content team has built up expertise (over the last 4 years) writing content in this format and would be able provide you with content to maximise this intelligent feature.
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Time of day / seasons – As our GPS systems know the time of day as well as the date, it can automatically change the commentary to suit your needs. For example:
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Time dependant: On busses before 16:00 – “….busses depart every 20 minutes…”, and after 16:00 it will automatically change to “…..This is our last bus for the day and we will not be returning back here…..”
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Season dependant: If you run every 30 minutes in winter, the above example would be in the winter months: “….busses depart every 30 minutes…” etc..
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Multiple routes – Each bus can be programmed to contain multiple routes (that are activated at the touch of a button). This makes it quick and easy to reassign a bus from one route to the next.
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Filler Music – If required, filler music can be automatically inserted in-between the voice tracks.
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Multiple Independent triggers – The GreatGuide system allows you to trigger channels individually (independently) or in groups (dependently). Traditionally, all channels were triggered at the same time (for example the Adults English, German, French etc.. all start at the same time). However, with our GreatGuide system you can, for example, add in Kids commentary. This will then start independently to the adults channel (this is needed when we have different track lengths, information focus, etc..)