DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ANDROID BASED PASSENGER INFORMATION SYSTEM

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study Advances of Internet platforms, smartphone and tablet applications, and the rise of social media platforms are becoming increasingly relevant in transport contexts, as they facilitate travel, allow for co-presence in the sharing of distant lives, while also generating new forms of social and network capital. Travel information, planning and routing Transport information systems have seen major advances in recent years, and travelers have profited from a wide range of apps developed to facilitate travel and to make in particular public transport systems more reliable (Olukayode and Paul, 2020). Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have considerable importance for transport systems, as they provide access to travel information, planning tools, opportunities to share transport modes, to work at-a-distance, compare transport mode cost, make payment, improve safety and health, and to communicate travel patterns (Neelma, 2022). In today's fast-paced technological environment, conventional information systems are being pushed to their limits in almost every field, including transportation. Public transport systems today rely on passenger information systems that provide real-time information about every passengers on board. A fully operational passenger information system is a useful addition to any public transport service because it offers a wealth of data that helps not just the commuting passengers but also the transit agency's administrators, planners, operators, and supervisors (Uwais and Usman, 2021). The data provided by these systems is incredibly useful in building a safer, more reliable, and seamless transit system that benefits everyone. A Passenger Information System (PIS) is a cutting-edge technology that focuses on providing customized solutions related to various traffic management and transportation systems. Furthermore, it enables consumers to be highly informed and make more organized, intelligent, and safe use of transportation networks. Real-time information is provided to passengers in a number of different ways, including mobile phone applications, platform-level signage, and automated public address systems. The primary objective of PIS is to minimize uncertainty and improve convenience for passengers. By providing up-to-date information on passenger on board details, arrival and departure times, platform or gate changes, and potential disruptions or delays. Safety and security are also enhanced through PIS (Obawumi et al., 2022). Furthermore, PIS places significant emphasis on accessibility, aiming to cater to passengers with visual or hearing impairments. PIS ensures that all passengers, regardless of their specific needs, submit the necessary information, promoting inclusivity and equal access to transportation services. A complete passenger Information system would have the following characteristics/attributes i. Data availability. Information can be provided only if it is available, and collecting information can be resource-intensive. ii. Data accuracy. Collecting information is error-prone. Also, prediction algorithms are not perfect and so real-time announcements may be in error. iii. Getting information to the passenger. A variety of dissemination mechanisms may be used, but it is not always easy to ensure that the correct information reaches the passenger when it is most needed. Latency or response time. Information provision must react quickly to a passenger request or a real-world update. There is little point in announcing a service three minutes after it has departed. 1.2 Statement of Problem Real-time information about on-board passenger for public transport is an essential for safety and emergency and any other circumstance for public transport system. Nowadays, public domain found it difficult to access the personal data, family and relative of any passenger on board due to lack of real time information about such passenger in case of any need. Hence the need for the android based passenger information system so that the relatives and family of any on board passenger can be easily contact and accessed if required. 1.3 Aim and Objectives The aim of this research is to develop an android based passenger information system. Objectives of the research include: i. Design the system used mobile technology for storage and access of passenger information and personal data ii. Making required information about the on board passed family’s available through the android based system iii. Implement the system developed in (i) above iv. Evaluate the system to test its efficiency and reliability 1.4 Scope of the Study The scope of a Passenger Information System (PIS) encompasses a broad range of functionalities, technologies, and integrations designed to improve the travel experience and operational efficiency of public transportation systems. 1.5 Significance of the Study Passenger Information Systems play a crucial role in modernizing public transportation, enhancing passenger satisfaction, and improving overall system efficiency and safety. Significance of the system includes Real-Time Information: PIS provides passengers with real-time updates on arrivals, departures, delays, and cancellations. This reduces uncertainty and anxiety associated with travel. Route Guidance: Helps passengers navigate complex transportation networks by providing clear information on routes, stops, and connections. Accessibility: Ensures information is accessible to all passengers, including those with disabilities, by offering audio announcements and visual displays. 1.6 Methodology of the research A research methodology describes the techniques and procedures used to identify and analyze information regarding a specific research topic. It is a process by which researchers design their study so that they can achieve their objectives using the selected research instruments. Research methodology comprises of fact finding and program/system development. 1.6.1 Fact Finding This involves the methods adopted for gathering information, the relevant information needed will be acquired through the interview of some transporters, and details on how they acquire personal information from passenger will be study. Direct interview is a faster method of gathering information. This method was chosen due to the following advantages i. It allows the interviewer to show practical examples where it is needed ii. It is the most reliable means of fact finding iii. It allows interviewer and interviewee to have a one-on-one discussion with each other iv. The interviewer has the opportunity to observe what is obtainable around him/her 1.6.2 Program Development The programming languages that will be used for the development and implementation of the application are Java, android studio and Mysql Server. Java will be used for the design and implementation of the user interface (UI) while android studio will be used for the design of the mobile platform and mysql server will be responsible for the storage and access of the system’s data and files. These languages were considered because of the following reasons: (i) Garbage collection: The function of the garbage collector, provided by android studio, is to check for the objects not being used by an application and to delete them from memory. (ii) Value/reference type system: According to the value/reference type system, the standard data types, enumerations, and structures are called value types. Interfaces, classes, and delegates are called reference types. This type system provides the advantage of eliminating a number of memory bugs and simplifying object manipulation. (iii) Unified declaration and definition of class methods: The unified declaration and definition of class methods alleviates you from creating multiple files one for declaration and the other for definition. (iv) Delegates: A type-safe and secure object that contains a reference to a method. The advantage of using delegates is that it is helpful in anonymous invocation, which means that the method to be invoked is not known at compile time. (v) Simple thread synchronization: Enables you to create multithreaded applications. (vi) Versioning: You need to explicitly override the members of a base class in a derived class. This revision creates a new version without affecting the existing program. (vii) Interoperability: Java applications are platform-independent. 1.7 Definition of Terms Accident: An event that happens by chance or that is without apparent or deliberate cause. Communication: The imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium. Data: Facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis. Information: Knowledge obtained from investigation, study, or instruction. Passenger: A passenger in a vehicle such as a bus, boat, or plane is a person who is travelling in it, but who is not driving it or working on it. System: A set of principles or procedures according to which something is done; an organized scheme or method. Transportation: Movement of goods and persons from place to place and the various means by which such movement is accomplished. Vehicle: Means of carrying or transporting something.