CONCEPT

Dixon-Bate developed electronically operated Grippa" Cycle Racks as part of a complete system that includes consoles, software, hardware and installation.  Initially installed in Portsmouth University for use by staff & students, it also featured in a pilot scheme in Rotterdam for use by tourists.

Velotron has been developed using the experience gained since 1995 with the electronic Grippa" schemes in Portsmouth and Rotterdam, and is an electronically controlled security system designed to operate a wide variety of free-bike or hire-bike schemes.

FLEXIBLE

Software

The software designed and developed for VeloTron utilises a flexible modular and is used in projects including:

• Free bike schemes
• Bike rental
• Bike park
• Bike park/rental
• Integrated Transport solutions

And for operating a range of parking equipment such as:

• Lockers
• Grippa" cycle stands
• A mixture of Lockers & Grippa" cycle stands
• Access doors

And has the capability to interface with swipe cards, chip-cards, etc.

Hardware

The electronic hardware used in any VeloTron system can include:

• Consoles with card read only
• Consoles with retain and return card readers
• Card readers integral to the parking device e.g in the locker or Grippa"
• Variety of LCD or other display devices using a range of languages
• Electronic tagging equipment
   

CONTROL

This is the most important aspect of any VeloTron system as it is responsible for how the system operates - either directly with a customer (user) or with other elements of the Scheme. In general all Velotron Systems include the following:

Central Server: This is usually a high powered Industrial Computer located off-site which is the “brains” behind the VeloTron System.  It provides all the data to operate each Cycle parking device via the Depot Server.  It is also the interface between the membership Database and the validity of the cards used by the Customer.  Finally, in the rare event of a breakdown of the Depot Computer, the Central Server is designed to operate the system to ensure that Bikes are available for hire or that there are parking spaces to return them to.

Depot Server: This is also an Industrial Computer who’s main function is the control and operation of each Cycle Parking Depot and Parking space. It receives Membership data via the Central server and matches it to that created by the card readers in the Locker or Grippa".  If that data is correct and current then it allows the Bike to be either issued to the user or to lock it when returned.

Bike Receptor: This is the point of interface between the Customer and the System.  It is usually a Cycle Locker or electronic Grippa" and includes the display and the card reader.

Enrolment Control: This comprises a computer and the membership database. It is at this point that the customer first registers into the scheme and receives the Smart Card to operate it.  The Enrolment Control can be located anywhere suitable for the particular scheme. In certain cases it will be in an office but there is no reason why it cannot be part of the Railway or Coach ticketing system in an integrated Transport Scheme.

OV Fiets, Utrecht, Netherlands 2001

VeloTron in conjunction with Dutch Railways is currently in use on a pilot site in Utrecht, Netherlands, providing lockers for storing the bicycles which are part of a ‘Free Bike’ scheme.  Dixon-Bate and our partners, Bavak Beveiligingsgroep, have developed a sophisticated yet user-friendly system to meet the customer’s specific needs to include:

• Integration of Cycle parking into the Railway Transport system
• Free bike scheme for Rail users & other members of the public
• Ability to charge for usage by the day or hour
• Ability to provide Management information in particular with regards to usage, site specific traffic, and maintenance of bicycles and equipment
• Ensure that the Free Bikes are looked after by the user and returned when not in use.

How this Scheme Operates

For any Free Bikes scheme to be successful the user has to acquire “ownership” of the bike and respect the other equipment associated with the scheme. Failure to operate in this way will result in bikes being “lost” or stolen and the equipment damaged which may ultimately prove any such Free Bike scheme unworkable.

To provide ‘ownership’ we insist that the schemes’ operators retain on file details of the user either by operating a “membership” scheme or by using details that are encrypted into non-membership chip cards such as bank cards etc. In addition each bike is tagged electronically to the card holder each time a bike is hired or returned.  Should any loss or damage result then the operator has all necessary information to seek redress with the last user.

With the OV Fiets scheme a potential user first registers with a central control that issues a Smart Card for this scheme.

Once they have this card the cyclist is then able to hire a Free Bike or return it after use. Failure to meet the conditions of the hire will result in the card being made inoperable and the holder may face prosecution