Intelligent Transportation is an essential conveyance system comprising of advanced information and technology for users, roads, vehicles and cities. Power Electronics (MassTrans) is a name to reckon for LED destination display boards in the bus segment in India meeting the most demanding requirements of the industry.
“We offer a holistic solution for an efficient transport management system and not merely solutions for buses. Of course, our ARAI certified range of products focus on improving efficiency of fleet operation and enhancing an everlasting passenger travelling experience. However, we also design and develop custom solutions as per the needs of different market segments and our customers. We are on the approved vendor list of all major OEMs, Government bodies and transportation consultants and have recently passed the IATF 16949 guidelines with flying colours,” explained Mr. Vinay Jain, Managing Partner, Power Electronics.
Among the most visible products from the stable of Power Electronics is the LED Destination Display boards that are made using durable components that are resistant to weather conditions. The LED destination sign is part of a comprehensive and modular passenger information system that also comes with a two-year warranty. The displays can be connected with a voice announcement system and an TFT infotainment system and can be used to show next-stop and route progress information. Also, their ITS system comprising of TFT touch screen, on-board computer, Combo antenna, surveillance cameras and rear view camera, CAN interface, etc., is well proven in the market as an extremely robust solution, and all major OEMs are now installing and recommending its use in their buses.
The other products that the company offers under the Intelligent Transport System include interior roof lighting solutions, vehicle tracking solutions, CCTV cameras, mobile DVRs, rear park assistance system, rear view camera and TFT screen along with the tire pressure monitoring system. “Incidentally, the AIS 140 standard mandates the fitment of these Intelligent Transport Systems solutions. We were already in the Passenger Information System (PIS) and hence were really ready for the AIS 140,” informed Mr. Jain.
Exploring different segments
Speaking more about their growth strategy, Mr. Jain added: “The growth has been good for us in the bus segment. The potential demand of public transport buses will keep on increasing, as the statistics point out that human population in urban areas is around 32% and as the trend goes, it shall grow to 50-60 per cent within the next 2 decades. However, the business models are changing with the PPP model and entry of private operators. They can run the buses more professionally and will take over the city space in the next 5-6 years. It is already happening under Delhi Integrated Multi Transport.”
Power Electronics is also foraying into the metro and railway segments, in the next 6 months. “We will enter the railways and start with PIS and later also into more in-coach systems. Our smart city products have three verticals – transport, traffic and parking combined. On the traffic side, we have the ATCS (Adaptive Traffic Control System). On-Street parking remains our main stay, even though we have to do some more work in the segment. Our traffic management solutions like portable VMS (Variable Message Sign) use our expertise in delivery of LED technology combined with the ability to advise message via telephone or GPS. This product provides a flexible and efficient mobile advisory system. Under our smart city solutions, we also have a range of solutions such as emergency call box, environmental sensors, smart pole, solid waste collection & management system, smart bus-stops and even EV charging stations,” said Mr. Jain.
Asked about the company’s role in ensuring safety in buses by adding surveillance inside the bus, he said Power Electronics feels the mobile digital video recorder (mDVR) is the most important part of its ITS solution. “Cameras are becoming important in the buses and people ensure that is functioning. The mDVR is a bit more sophisticated device as the recording happens inside the device and the operator will have to specify if he needs two days recording or 7 days or 15 days and accordingly the memory of the device will be ascertained, unlike the CCTV cameras which are live. With the advent of VTS AIS 140 and the panic button which is connected to it, for a two-way communication, as soon as the panic button is pressed the live feed will go through the camera to the VTS device to the back end allowing the control room to tap on the movement inside the bus.”
Given these plans to foray in various segments, Power Electronics is poised for expansion. “We have constructed a factory in Chakan which is larger than the present one in Talawade, Pune, and are ready to expand at any given point. We are also looking at manufacturing and assembling many things, such as controllers along with our partners. In FY17-18 we clocked a turnover of around 45 crores and hope to touch 70-75 crores by FY19-20,” asserted Mr. Jain.