In short, ITxPT is a European standard designed to ensure that IT equipment in public transport can communicate across suppliers and systems. The standard describes how equipment is installed, how it communicates on the network, and how data is exposed as services. The goal is an open, vendor-independent architecture where multiple actors can co-exist in the same system.
From a technical perspective, ITxPT can be divided into three main layers:
- The physical layer – where and how equipment is mounted and connected in the vehicle.
- The communication layer – how data is transported across the network.
- The service layer – which functions (e.g. real-time information, fleet data, passenger counting) are made available to other systems.
In practice, this turns the bus into a network of building blocks: signs, driver terminal, sensors, passenger information, real-time module, ticketing equipment etc. do not need to come from the same supplier, as long as they comply with the ITxPT specification. For PTAs and PTOs this reduces the risk of vendor lock-in and makes it easier to reuse both equipment and data across contracts.
Where does Adibus fit in?
Adibus has chosen to build its solutions around ITxPT principles. In many projects – especially e-bus deployments – Adibus delivers both hardware and software that follow ITxPT and can cooperate with other systems in the overall architecture.
A central element is the Vehicle Communication Gateway (VCG) – the unit in the bus that collects data from the vehicle and distributes it to the different systems. In an Adibus setup, the VCG is used to:
- provide data for passenger information and real-time displays,
- support energy and eco features in e-buses,
- connect sensors, for instance for temperature, doors or passenger counting.
A concrete example is adibus Preconditioning. Here a temperature sensor is connected to the VCG, and the system continuously monitors the temperature in the bus before departure. If it is too cold or too warm, the HVAC system can automatically start heating or cooling, typically while the bus is still connected to the charger. The result is better passenger comfort and less unnecessary energy consumption during the actual trip.
What should you bring to your next tender?
When you see ITxPT in a proposal from Adibus, you can read it as a promise of:
- open architecture instead of closed silos,
- lower integration risk when other systems need to be connected,
- scalability when new requirements or new vehicles are added.
ITxPT sets the common rules of the game – and Adibus turns them into concrete solutions on board the bus and in the backoffice, making everyday operations, planning and development easier for both PTAs and PTOs.
