The GBS Group lands VIA Rail contract

The GBS Group, a software development engineering and technical services firm, said Thursday VIA Rail Canada had awarded the company a contract provide a real-time Train Status Information (TSI) system.

Virginia Beach, Va.-based The GBS Group said the system will optimize GPS, train schedule, and related data to provide accurate forecasts of train departure and arrival times, on-route tracking, dynamic updating of station arrival times, and on-time performance reporting.

GBS will produce a customized “smart” system that takes into account service route trends, train position and speed, all integrated with VIA enterprise software systems. The system represents a continuation of VIA Rail’s technology investments that improve the overall passenger experience, the company said.

The system being developed by GBS will be called TSI Plus and represents a limited run production. The company anticipates a full production TSI Plus will be rolled out across VIA Rail in future phases.

CEO Bob Golden said, “We are pleased to have been selected to deliver custom applications to VIA Rail that are license-free, fully open source, and integrated such that VIA has the confidence and control they need in this mission-critical software solution.” He added, “We are impressed with the technology roadmap VIA Rail is implementing and are pleased to be able to support VIA Rail and their passengers.”