New style go card reader trial

[Gazza]

I am not advocating vandalisation by those reading this btw.

LOL!!!!

But agreed with what you said, just replace them as they need it, but don't go on a program of replacing them for what amounts to a small improvement in functionality.

I can't believe they put Myki on Trams. I guess they might get away with that.

If they had a proper system, where all tram stops have platforms, and they weren't stupidly close together then they could have done platform readers everywhere (As is done on light rail in Los Angeles....their plaforms in fact have only one entrance, with a full TVM, so it's a "paid area")

^How much would you estimate it would cost per unit to do the upgrade across the whole network?

Bear in mind, switching to large colour screens would mean paying Cubic to actually develop these from scratch. The readers we have are pretty much an off the shelf design:
Overseas....

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2460/3797886084_3ed2e490ae_z.jpg
http://laist.com/attachments/la_zach/metro_tap_card.jpg

PS, I wonder how people in London cope with their even smaller screens:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/Route-Validator-Oystercard-Reader-London.jpg

[ozbob]

PS, I wonder how people in London cope with their even smaller screens:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/Route-Validator-Oystercard-Reader-London.jpg

with some difficulty, one of the reasons why Cubic has increased the screen size with each new generation. Oyster is old, and will be replaced shortly.

[mufreight]

As readers fail or become illegible they could be replaced by upgraded units with larger screens, it would seem that there is a reluctance by Cubic to do this, perhaps they have a large stock of spare small screens they want to use up first.
Recently the reader at Redbank failed and the tec was out there repairing it, it was pointed out to the tec that the screen was unreadable, his comment was that is not what I was sent out to fix, no one reads them anyway. 
No further comment.   

[Gazza]

Well, judging by the performance of the other small screens, it shouldn't take long for the stockpile to be used up 

[mufreight]

Well, judging by the performance of the other small screens, it shouldn't take long for the stockpile to be used up 

No doubt they are cheaper than the larger screens, and Cubic would probably have quite considerable stocks of them overseas where this equipment in no longer in use having been superseeded by upgraded equipment that they will use up here.

[ozbob]

The two pilot readers at Oxley still look good






The reader platform 3 Oxley west, not a wet morning. Screen unreadable ..





Photographs R Dow 14th May 2011

[Mozz]

Bob - screens on the two new Pilot readers have been replaced at least twice since installation and where is this platform 4 you speak of at Oxley

[ozbob]

Bob - screens on the two new Pilot readers have been replaced at least twice since installation and where is this platform 4 you speak of at Oxley

Ha ha,  10 years ahead  ...  lol   Platform 3 of course, typo.

The screens in the pilot readers have been replaced as they have been trialing different makeups AFAIAW, but look at the old reader on platform 3, poor punters ...  the beeps are not the best either ...

[Zoiks]

So are they getting anywhere? Are we going to solve this issue?

[ozbob]

The pilot readers are definitely better than the present generation - less glare (steeper angle), louder beeps and clear screens (don't fog up either).  If and when they replace the present readers with improved versions is a question for TransLink?  Somehow, I don't think there will be a massive replacement program, despite the present equipment not being optimal for use.  At the least it is a good defence for a failed touch and subsequent booking for fare evasion ...

[Mozz]

I still don't understand why station staff can't do a daily or even every second day check of the readers on the stations for:

1. whether it is functioning
2. whether the screen is unreadable (due to moisture or fading)
3. whether the beeps are working

and just report these to translink for maintenance.

[Gazza]

I thought the devices reported themselves though?

[Mozz]

The devices exist on a network so whether it is functioning should be able to be managed, but probably only in binary way - on or off. Screens with moisture or fading or beeps not working on devices need human intervention to report it.

[mufreight]

The reality is that the equipment supplied and installed by the contractor Cubic is less than optimal.
The readers could be retrofitted with larger more robust screens and the volume of the beeps made more audible.
There should be a system where every reader is tested and checked daily, the problem here being that the station staff are QR employees and are ignored by Translink when they report problems with Translink equipment. 
The current card readers are are in a majority of locations not fit for purpose due to readibility and audibility hence the high numbers of touch on touch off failures that are unoticed by card users until such time as they (if they ever do) check their card history.  Good for revenue tor Translink and the Government hence the evident disinclination to rectify the problems which would cost for the rectification and also reduce the revenue received from fixed fare penalties.

[ozbob]

Nothing much seems to be happening with the trial.

The pilot readers are still there at Oxley.

Platforms 1/2 east





Platform 3 east



Photographs R Dow 6th August 2011

[ozbob]

Pilot readers in the wet ...









Photographs R Dow 27th August 2011

[Gazza]

I think we can all agree the new readers are  vast improvement.....They do seem to hold up well under most conditions now:


Uploaded with ImageShack.us



Uploaded with ImageShack.us



Uploaded with ImageShack.us



Uploaded with ImageShack.us



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[Fares_Fair]

 

That first picture I am sure looks like the one I sent into orbit after I found its screen was fogged over ...

Have you got a picture of one running the boom gates at Telegraph road ? 



Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Mozz]

The new readers in terms of screens and audibility are are an improvement over the first generation.

However they appear to me to be made of a lesser grade stainless steel, the first generation didn't rust, the new ones on Oxley platforms 3 and 2 east, have significant rust spots on them.

[ozbob]

   @Gazza, very cool 

I think the stainless steel in a production model would be of a higher quality.  Time to get them out there though.

I noted the beeps on the reader 1/2 has a slightly higher pitch now also, still a lot louder than the mark one version, much better.

[ozbob]

Yes, the readers are still there at Oxley, look fine to me ..

Platform 1/2 east pilot reader







Platform 3 east pilot reader





Photographs R Dow 25th September 2011

[SurfRail]

Meanwhile, in the civilised world:

[dwb]

Meanwhile, in the civilised world:

To be honest I think I prefer ours

[Fares_Fair]

Yes, our colour scheme is much nicer ... and the touch screen more accessible.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Gazza]

Surfrail, if it were the civilized world, you wouldn't need kick guards like that.

[SurfRail]

It's not the best photographic example, but the one I found quickly.

Their readers have a larger screen capable of displaying more information, are higher off the ground, don't suffer the technical issues ours do and (as far as I could see from my last trip in January) virtually none of them have those frames over them.

[O_128]

OMFG, its possible to make a reader where you can see the screen.

No more pensioners having to bend over.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Meanwhile, in the civilised world:

To be honest I think I prefer ours

Agree. And what about tall people. Having to crouch down to see the screen

[dwb]

Agree. And what about tall people. Having to crouch down to see the screen

Tall people can bend, people in wheel chairs can't elevate.

I'm pretty sure this height is within the Australian standard that the DDA refers to for equal access. That act and standard exists for a reason.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Given that its a tiny bit higher than the bin and lower than a front yard fence at a old folks home it would be more than just tall people that would have to bend just to see the screen.

[SurfRail]

OK, clearly I have posted the worst possible example of a Smartrider reader.







Compared to one of ours, note the higher visibility casing, larger screen, more obvious "target" on the reader, prominent placement at station ingress and egress points, generally higher position of the screen, screen oriented so it isn't subject to sun-bleaching or moisture penetration etc.

On the other hand, I think our fare gates are quite superior to theirs, so there you are.

[dwb]

On the other hand, I think our fare gates are quite superior to theirs, so there you are.

You are sh*tting me right?? How is that even possible?!

[SurfRail]

You are sh*tting me right?? How is that even possible?!

I don't get it. 

[O_128]

On the other hand, I think our fare gates are quite superior to theirs, so there you are.

You are sh*tting me right?? How is that even possible?!

Our fare gates feel so flimsy, I prefer the sydney style, though london has the same ones as us.

paris has the absolute worst gates in the world, you have to shoulder barge them

[somebody]

No way to Sydney style.  They can be pushed out of the way with the hand, try to crush your legs if they close on you, can be jumped and tailgated.  Go Gates are far superior, although the latter may be possible.

[HappyTrainGuy]

paris has the absolute worst gates in the world, you have to shoulder barge them

Still hasn't helped them in the world cup 

[dwb]

You are sh*tting me right?? How is that even possible?!

I don't get it. 

I think our gates are hopeless... so slow!

[somebody]

You are sh*tting me right?? How is that even possible?!

I don't get it. 

I think our gates are hopeless... so slow!

I don't find them that bad.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Heaven forbid you ever catch a bus to Redland Bay. People that have know what i'm talking about lol.

[STB]

Heaven forbid you ever catch a bus to Redland Bay. People that have know what i'm talking about lol.

I do that and I don't know what you are talking about.  What is it about Redland Bay and its relation to the Go Card readers?