ERTICO eMagazine - December 2012

Welcome to the

ERTICO eMagazine In this Issue: The first HeERO International Conference: Showcasing achievements and documenting challenges in the deployment of pan-European eCall

The Road to Rio The World Cup and Olympic Games could help to revolutionise Brazil’s transport network

An extraordinary story; Bev Marks and his adventures From the BBC to TISA, from RDS (Radio Data System) to TPEG (Transport Protocol Expert Group)

December 2012

Editorial

contents Merry Christmas from ERTICO!

2

Editorial

3

The First HeERO International Conference

Dear readers,

7

The Road to Rio

as you might have noticed, our

be without one of our articles on

10

An extraordinary story: Bev Marks and his adventures

normal eMagazine look had been

international

suspended for two months to give

month we focus on Brazil, a huge

space to two special editions on the

country

19th ITS World Congress in Vienna.

economy which will host not only the

After this incredibly successful event

World Cup in 2014 but also the next

(we reached the record number of

Olympic Games in 2016. We reflect

10,000 visitors) we are all back to

on the development of transport and

normal to say goodbye to 2012 with

ITS in Brazil and consider how the

a very exiting edition.

international cooperation with the

14 ERTICO Partnership events

In this edition we talk about eCall.

Just a month ago the European

with

cooperation? a

fast

This

expanding

EU and the USA may develop in the next few years.

pilot project HeERO had its first

Last but not least, this month we have

The views and opinions expressed

international conference in Zagreb,

an unusual feature on Mr Bev Marks,

in this magazine are solely those of

hosted by the Croatian National

who is retiring as TISA Executive

the authors and other contributors.

Protection and Rescue Directorate

Director. We believe that tributes

These views and opinions do not

(NPRD). In the article we look

need to be paid to great people,

at

pan-

so we celebrate an extraordinary

European emergency call, including

person by summarising his - and

standardisation

TISA’s - successes.

necessarily

represent

ERTICO or its Partners.

those

of

the

progresses and

of

the

certification,

and the plans for the New Year.

But what kind Christmas would it

That’s it. This is our last edition for this year and we look forward to coming back next year with more stories to tell. Meanwhile we wish you a very happy Christmas holiday, hoping that ITS will accompany you in your journeys and will indicate the right way to get home!

Visit the ERTICO website and count down to Christmas with our Advent Calendar! www.ertico.com

The Editorial Team

3

The First HeERO International Conference: Showcasing achievements and documenting challenges in the deployment of pan-European eCall

by Laura Johnstone Two years after the launch of the Harmonised eCall European Pilot, the first HeERO International Conference took place in Zagreb on 15 November. Organised by the Croatian National Protection and Rescue Directorate (NPRD), in cooperation with ERTICO – ITS Europe, the European Emergency Number Association (EENA), and Croatian pilot project partners Hrvatski Autoklub and Ericsson Nikola Tesla, the conference attracted almost 200 participants from Europe and around the world.

The goal of the conference was

Earlier in 2012, Ms Sehnalová and her

among all stakeholders involved,

to

efforts

co-rapporteur MEP Dieter-Lebrecht

before emphasising the importance

made across the 9 HeERO pilot

Koch finalised the eCall report with

of the mandatory implementation of

sites (Croatia, the Czech Republic,

support from both the Parliament’s

the system for citizens across Europe

Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, the

Committee on Transport and Tourism

in 2015.

Netherlands, Romania and Sweden).

and Committee on the Internal Market

As one might expect with such a

and Consumer Protection. In July, a

large scale project there was much

non-binding

to report on, including the results

full support for the implementation

of the first round of national and

of eCall across Europe was approved

interoperability eCall testing, the

by an overwhelming majority in the

evaluation and validation of standards

Parliament, demonstrating a clear

and specifications established for the

and strong will for pan-European

eCall service, and dissemination of

eCall to be fully implemented in

the results of the project.

2015.

present

the

common

Welcoming addresses

resolution

expressing

The resolution calls on the

European

Commission

legislation

requiring

to EU

table Member

The event opened with addresses from

States to upgrade their emergency

two high level speakers; Mr Jadran

response service infrastructure in

Pernić, Director of the Croatian NPRD

order to be able to handle eCalls.

and Ms Olga Sehnalová, Member of the European Parliament and corapporteur of the “eCall: a new 112 service for citizens” report.

In

her

welcoming

address

Mr Pernić hailed the hard work of all participants in the Croatian national

consortium

which

has

ensured that Croatia is ready for the implementation of eCall and expressed thanks for the strong level of interest in the Conference.

Pilot Test Results Pilot site leaders were invited to share the results of the first round of testing which took place in 8 of the 9 pilot sites, leading to many positive initial results, and – equally important – the identification of

Ms

Sehnalová expressed her support for the work done in the HeERO project and praised the close cooperation

barriers to deployment and issues to be resolved.

The data gathered has been analysed using the 28 HeERO Key Performance

the board, but it is evident that a lack of political will in some quarters is slowing progress towards eCall implementation. As eCall legislation is introduced, Member States will have to comply with the regulations; stalling the implementation of the system until then will be of no benefit to citizens.

As

a

very

recent

example

of

European Commission efforts, at the end of November a delegated act was adopted in order to address specifications First International HeERO Conference in Zagreb, November 2012 Indicators (KPIs). The KPIs include

2015. Care must also be taken to

the length of time for the call to

ensure that standards developed

be established, the length of time

for the end-to-end eCall system are

for the emergency response centre

appropriate and can be adhered to

to receive the minimum set of data

by all parties.

(MSD) from the vehicle (this includes key information such as the location of the vehicle, the number of passengers, the force of any impact, etc.), the success rate for the establishment of voice transmissions and the time taken and success rate for the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to be decoded.

Several pilot sites were able to test thousands of eCalls, both manually and automatically generated, and a variety of different scenarios have been tested both in laboratories and on the roads in the real-life environment.

Furthermore,

eCall

will

present a proposal to ensure that PSAPs are upgraded as necessary by 2015.

Cross-border interoperability testing

Conference show that

technical

interoperability testing. As eCall

issues are not the main barrier

will be a pan-European system, a

to eCall deployment. All of the

key feature is that the driver can

problems picked up in the first phase

take his vehicle anywhere across

of testing can and will be resolved by

the continent and in the event of an

the experts in the HeERO project and

accident receive the same service as

other stakeholders.

in his home country.

Despite the steps undertaken by the

Real environment tests have been

European Commission to make eCall

carried out using a Czech test vehicle

mandatory, and the work of HeERO

in Germany, in addition to tests

in proving the effectiveness and

between Romania and Croatia and

reliability of the system, the largest

Romania and Italy. In addition, all of

remaining barrier to implementation

the current pilot sites welcome the

remains at a political level. Although

opportunity for further cross-border

22 of the 27 EU Member States have

testing in the coming year.

Understanding (in addition to Croatia,

suppliers have been used in tests,

Iceland, Switzerland, Norway and

and testing with real, live Public

Turkey) and work is ongoing to engage

Service Answering Points (PSAPs) has

the support of the remaining Member

taken place in several countries.

States, the necessary PSAP upgrades

implementation of the system in

Commission

if

2012 has focused on cross-border

Systems (IVS) from a range of

must be resolved in time for the

and

However, the reports given at the

signed the eCall Memorandum of

issues have been identified, which

the

PSAPs,

Another key area for testing during

In-Vehicle

As a result of testing several technical

necessary

for

to support the system are in some cases being delayed by decisions at national level.

Of course this is not the case across

Those who attended the ITS World Congress in Vienna this year can’t fail to have noticed the presence of eCall and HeERO at the event. At the HeERO stand live demonstrations took place throughout the week, and the most exciting test was perhaps an ad-hoc experiment which saw the German test vehicle (a remote controlled car in this case!) send

European Commissioner Neelie Kroes with the German test vehicle at the ITS World Congress in Viennna 2012

from eCall, however far from

of the Russian IVS in other countries

home they are.

during 2013. This means that when

C r o s s - b o r d e r interoperability

testing

is

not confined to European Member States. The Finnish pilot site has been working in cooperation with GLONASS Union,

the

Russian

non-

profit organisation tasked with implementing the ERA GLONASS system in Russia, on testing interoperability in between the two systems.

Along with ITS Russia and GLONASS

Union,

ERTICO

has for the last two years co-chaired GLONASS

the

eCall/ERA

Working

Group,

which works towards the

an eCall to the Romanian PSAP in Bucharest, the MSD of which could be seen at the ITS Romania stand across

the eCall and ERA GLONASS systems are launched in 2015, the driver should be able to drive anywhere in Europe and across Russia with access to the two emergency call systems.

Standardisation and Certification The HeERO International Conference also provided an opportunity to hear an update on the work of the Standardisation

Task

Force.

The

task force has met several times throughout 2012 to discuss existing standards and in the context of the results from testing, 25 proposed changes to the standards have been submitted to the standardisation bodies for consideration.

alignment of ERA GLONASS

A

and

of

Standardisation Task Force this year

technical

was the eCall interoperability testing

requirements, and also in terms of

event, which was held in the UK in

the schedule for implementation.

June. The objective of this three

eCall,

standards

in and

terms

the exhibition hall. The success

Finland, with almost 1,400 km of

of such a test, which was entirely

shared border with Russia, is the

unplanned, demonstrates both the

ideal place to begin such testing. In

technological viability of the system

2012, 3 Russian IVS have been tested

and the importance of cooperation

in Finland, and in 2013, Finnish IVS

between all stakeholders, to ensure

will be tested in Russia. There are

that all European drivers can benefit

also plans to carry out further testing

further

success

for

the

day event was to provide a realistic environment for vendors to test their IVS with different PSAP configurations and vice-versa. Those participating were able to monitor and assess their product throughout the transmission of the eCall, and the results gathered were highly positive.

Looking forward to 2013, plans are in place to set up an eCall certification body, and many stakeholders have already registered their interest.

Public Awareness Another key element of the HeERO project

lies

in

raising

public

awareness of eCall and gathering support for its implementation. As the pilot progresses, it is important that citizens understand what eCall is, how it will be of benefit to them, and At the eCall interoperability testing event in the UK, June 2012

5

what

they

can

realistically

expect from the service. At the same

there is much work still to be done for the implementation of panEuropean eCall; however, with the cooperation and the will of all stakeholders involved, we will succeed in making eCall a reality across Europe time, targeted events and initiatives aimed at specific stakeholders in the eCall value chain continue to be of great value.

In close cooperation with EENA, a variety of different events have been organised over the course of the year.

From the EU Emergency Services Workshop held in Riga in April, to the Berlin eCall Days in September and the eCall Technical Workshop in the UK in October, culminating with the HeERO International Conference itself.

eCall Special Session at the 19th ITS World Congress in Vienna 2013 and beyond

two years 6 new countries: Belgium,

The HeERO pilot is a large and multi-faceted project, and 2012 has been an extremely busy year for all those involved.

Much momentum

has been gained in terms of testing, the development of standards and raising awareness, both amongst key

Bulgaria,

Denmark,

Luxembourg,

Spain and Turkey and run for two years. Several other associate pilot sites are planned, and the scope of the pilots will be extended to include new technical areas including eCall for large goods vehicles, powered two wheel vehicles and aftermarket

also

stakeholders and amongst the general

events

public. In 2013 the pace will be

at both national and international

stepped up further, as it is not only the

As Mr Andy Rooke, Project Manager

levels, including the FIA Action for

final year of the HeERO pilot; it will

at

Road Safety Day in Prague in June and

also be the first year of the HeERO2,

Coordinator concluded: “there is

the ITS World Congress in Vienna in

the extension of HeERO. HeERO2

much work still to be done for the

October.

will extend the actions of the last

implementation

The

HeERO

participated

project in

has

numerous

devices.

ERTICO

and

HeERO

of

Project

pan-European

eCall; however, with the cooperation and the will of all stakeholders involved, we will succeed in making eCall a reality across Europe”.

We look forward to seeing you next year in Bucharest at the second HeERO International Conference!

MEP Olga Sehnalová visits the HeERO stand at the Road Safety Day in Prague, June 2012

7

The Road to Rio The World Cup and Olympic games could help to revolutionise Brazil’s transport network

by Ian Bearder

On 12 August 2012 the world watched as 600,000 lights illuminated London’s Olympic stadium to mark the end of the 2012 Olympic Games. Standing on stage in front of 80,000 spectators and a global TV audience - Rio de Janeiro’s mayor, Eduardo Paes accepted the Olympic flag on behalf of his country, and as he did so he introduced Brazil to the world as hosts of the 2016 games.

Two years earlier, South American

and Sao Paulo) Brazil is no strangers

This offers a huge opportunity for

football fans celebrated news that

to congestion. More than 21 million

the ITS industry and this is a fact

Brazil would host the 2014 World Cup.

people live in Sao Paulo alone and in

that hasn’t been missed by Brazil’s

a single day in 2009, 293 kilometres

international partners such as the

of traffic are said to have clogged the

USA and the EU. In March 2011 the

city’s streets.

US and Brazil signed a ‘Memorandum

As hosts of two of the world’s largest tournaments Brazil will be thrust into

the

international

limelight

of Understanding’ to support the

over the next four years and has

Brazil’s place on the BRIC list of

the opportunity to shine as a one of

emerging

the world’s leading nations, and the

additional pressure. According to a

accompanying boost in visitor numbers

2010 report for The Economist, Brazil

and foreign investment offers Brazil

ranked fourth in terms of new vehicle

the perfect opportunity to rebuild

registration which had boomed by an

and modernise its infrastructure and

enormous 120%! This took place with

transport network.

a population growth of just 11%.

Home to almost 200 million people, Brazil has the world’s 7th largest economy.

Introducing Intelligent Transport

84% of Brazilians live in cities

To cope with this and a swell in cargo

In 2014 12 Brazilian cities will host the Fifa World Cup.

In fact, if the

games are to be a success – there may be no other choice.

Brazil is a large country which has an estimated 1.7 million km of roads, approximately 50,000 km of inland waterways and a 30,000 km rail network, however as home to nearly 200 million people and two of the world’s largest cities (Rio de Janeiro

economic

powers

adds

traffic Brazilian authorities and city planners will need to be incredibly creative if they want to keep the country’s goods, people and economy moving when hundreds of thousands of sports fans descend on their cities.

Brazil at a glance Politically stable with growth of 7.5% in 2011

GDP

In 2016 Rio will host the Olympic Games Megacities: Brazil has two of the world’s largest cities (Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro)

in Brazil is not as well developed as it is in Europe, but progress is being made.

“Intelligent Transport Systems are

not

at

the

forefront

of

thinking for public managers decision

and makers”

he says, “but the country has

considerable

ITS

experience

in Viajeo seminar in São Paulo, May 2012 organisation of major global sporting João Fernando Gomes de Oliveira,

already

both

highway

management

and

public transport”.

events, and in April the same year

president of Brazil’s Institute for

“Brazil began its road concessions

the US Commercial Service presented

Technological Research (IPT) talked-

programme in 1998 with the transfer

a report on ‘Opportunities for US

up the business opportunities that

of the operational administration and

companies

arise from the sporting events.

maintenance of highways to private

in

the

Brazilian

ITS

Market’. Meanwhile the EU has been developing joint transport projects in Brazil as part of its Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). One of these, Viajeo has promoted EU-Brazil cooperation on sustainable transport in partnership with the Brazilian Bureau for Enhancing International Cooperation with the European Union (BB.Bice).

Another EU funded project ‘STADIUM’ may also prove useful. The project is working to improve the performance of transport services and systems during large events by examining the

state-owned company. In concession contracts, the use of ITS is mandatory and critical to maintaining the quality of services for citizens and cargo”.

use of ITS applications during three major tournaments; the South African World Cup (2010), the Commonwealth Games

(2010),

and

the

London

Olympics (2012). Researchers involved

A Viajeo seminar held in April 2011

in the project are developing an

in São Paulo focused on ITS for large

online ITS handbook to support those

events and electric mobility and

responsible for organising large scale

Intelligent Transport Systems are not at the forefront of thinking for public managers and decision makers, but the country already has considerable ITS experience in both highway management and public transport

companies under the supervision of a

events and the guide, which is due to be finished in 2013, covers areas such as planning and impact evaluation and reviews of proven ITS systems. It also provides a list of ITS suppliers.

Brazil will also be able to draw on its own ITS experience.

According to Alessandro Santiago dos Santos of Brazil’s Institute for Technological Research (IPT), ITS

CONTRAN 245 Brazil’s CONTRAN 245 resolution requires all new vehicles—trucks, cars and motorcycles—to be fitted with an antitheft tracking device.

The legislation, which aims to tackle vehicle theft and reduce sky-high insurance costs, was almost dropped because of privacy concerns.

However, as the law is implemented, Brazil is set to become a huge ITS market with many suppliers exploring ways to deliver additional location-based services.

If we find a solution for Sao Paulo, which is top on the world’s cities’ list on transports’ problems, we will find a solution for the whole world

and

Transit (BRT) lanes and in four cities

compatible with their master plans

including Sao Paulo and Brasília the

of the city. In addition to this, a

government is financing light rail

‘Sustainable Brazil’ initiative has

systems such as monorails and trams.

promised to invest $2 billion in the

In 2011, Sao Paulo State’s Secretary

development of innovative products,

for metropolitan transport predicted

processes and services linked to the

that by 2013 twelve rail lines would

With regards to public transport,

concept of sustainability.

be under construction in his city and

he says that electronic ticketing

No time to lose

systems have played a leading role;

which

must

be

integrated

promised that the subway network would have grown by 80 km by 2014.

“Ticketing in Brazil is characterised

How

by the predominance of contactless

challenges and the final strategy used

card solutions. Furthermore, over

to develop Brazil’s transport network

77% of cities with more than 50,000

and manage the games remains to

inhabitants have electronic ticketing

be seen, yet work is already well

mechanisms. The introduction of

underway.

automation

Eleven

and

the

remarkable

authorities

meet

these

“We are moving at Chinese speed” he said.

If this is true and if Brazil’s new transport systems are a success then the games could offer a real vision for the future of movement.

Control

growth in the collection of fares was

As Angel Landabaso, the Science

Centres are being built in the World

driven by the need to control benefits

and Technology Counsellor of the

Cup host cities and they will integrate

(discounts or exemptions), which

European Commission in Brazil once

the management of traffic with

currently amount to more than half

noted: “If we find a solution for Sao

the operation of public transport,

of the users in most of the cities”.

Paulo, which is top on the world’s

the emergency services and public

cities’ list on transports’ problems,

He says the industry will also benefit

security services.

we will find a solution for the whole

from a new law that requires all cities

Nine of the twelve World Cup host

with over 200 thousand inhabitants to

cities are also building Bus Rapid

develop a “plan for urban mobility”,

new

9

Operational

world”.

An extraordinary story; Bev Marks and his adventures From the BBC to TISA, from RDS (Radio Data System) to TPEG (Transport Protocol Experts Group)

by Carla Coppola Image: courtesy of Bev Marks

In 1922 the American inventor Thomas Edison stated that “the radio craze will die out in time”. Almost a century has passed by and here we are, talking about TISA, the Traveller Information Services Association whose work floats on the radio frequencies, and about a man, Bev Marks, who spent more than 40 years working in broadcasting, first at the BBC, as a broadcast engineer, secondly at the European Broadcasting Union, as an engineering consultant, and then at TISA (Mr Marks will be retiring this year). Something went definitely wrong in Edison predictions...

Appointed TISA Executive Director in

years are TISA achievements. But

In 2011, during the ITS European

2010, Mr Marks has seen TISA growing

let’s proceed in order.

Congress

up

to

106

members

worldwide

including car manufacturers, terminal client device manufacturers, public authorities,

broadcasters,

and

service and content providers. And of course he was an integrating part of and celebrated many of the associations’ achievements.

Founded in 2007, TISA has taken over the activities carried out by the TMC Forum, the TPEG Forum and the German Mobile.Info project with the scope to support standards that provide a framework for services and products covering traffic and travel information.

Under the Marks’ leadership, TISA

Since

published

creation, TISA

three

position

papers;

has

support of the European ITS Directive

to over 100

2010/40/EU, an ERTICO-joint one

Members

on Traffic and Travel Information

28

(TTI) services and a most recent one

including

on the provision of a free minimum

Brazil, China,

universal traffic information service.

Russia,

in TISA work that one could say that his achievements in the past two

Lyon, former TISA

Jonathan

Burr

and

EasyWay Chairman Ronald Adams acknowledged between

the

EasyWay

cooperation ESG5

group

and TISA to work on the interface between DATEX II and TPEG by signing a Memorandum of Understanding.

According to TISA Coordinator Amaury

its

one on international standards in

Bev Marks has been so much involved

President

in

grown in

countries

the

USA and the United

Arab

Emirates.

TISA and EasyWay representatives sign the Memorandum of Understanding in Lyon at the 8th ITS European Congress

Cornelis, “the Lyon event was a

booklet

landmark for TISA as we had for the

produced in 2003 by

first time in 4 years an autonomous

the TPEG Project,

stand at a Congress with an end-to-

coordinated by the

end demonstration on the booth”.

EBU”

The same success was repeated a

mentioned in the

year later in Vienna, this time at a

book).

World Congress. In October 2012 TISA signed a Liaison Agreement with GENIVI Alliance with the scope of creating a framework for an exchange of

TISA

Specifications

between

the two communities in order to harmonise protocols in the areas of mutual interest. “These agreements are perceived as fundamental for the TISA work as they allow a close cooperation of experts on specific subjects, such as protocols and standards”,

Stephanie

Chaufton,

Administrator of TISA, adds.

2012 has been indeed an exciting year for the TISA community; in May, on the occasion of the annual General Assembly in Brussels, the association presented the handbook “TISA 12017 - TPEG What it is all about”. This ‘TPEG for dummies’ offers a guideline for professionals to understand concepts and principles of TPEG (Transport Protocol Experts Group) technology specifications and follows “many of the ideas used in a

11

originally

(as

clearly

One of the most recent

successes

of the association was the first TPEG Testfest in

Munich

TPEG Forum meetings in 2007 in Geneva at the EBU premises

held last

September. During this event, jointly organised by ERTICO and TISA, a series of interoperability test cases were

organised

focusing

mainly

on the implementation of TPEG applications currently defined in TISA Specifications which are soon to become worldwide Standards.

of conflict between the two activities based on their different approaches to technology; one analogical (RDS) and one more modern (TPEG)”.

The greatest merit of Bev Marks, according to Mr Reneric, was to stop this competition and understand both parties and to make them sitting at the same table; “it was a

When asking about the birth of TISA

complex and delicate matter because

in 2007, Michel Reneric, founder

the two associations had to agree

and

TISA,

on one governance, one statute,

explains that Bev Marks provided

one president, one structure. Bev

the diplomatic drive behind the

showed great comprehension and

establishment of the association.

sensibility in finding a balance fair to

“At the time we had two different

both organisations, but also a strong

associations, the TPEG Forum and

ability in writing the important

the TMC Forum, which were offering

funding principles in a unambiguous

the same type of service in providing

and fair manner”.

former

President

of

traffic information. There was a risk

This to

unique all

ideas

capacity and

to

to

listen

moderate

conflicts before their escalation has accompanied Bev Marks also in all his participation in the working groups; “certainly it was not an easy task to put together Englishmen, French, and Germans in the same working group!” Mr Reneric yarns. This ability to understand the various European cultures is something that belongs to him and that he practiced over his 15 years at the EBU - the European Broadcasting Union - which counts 74 active members varying from Albania TISA Committees Meetings in 2011 in Bosh premises in Berlin

to USA.

it is a joy working with Bev, he is not only an extremely competent person but he has also a feeling of belonging to the organisation he works for, which is difficult to find in many professionals Michel Reneric has also the merit to have offered Bev Marks the position of Executive Director of TISA at the end of 2009 after Heinz Friedrichs.

“It was an obvious decision, taken at the unanimity; after all his efforts and work for TISA, he was the perfect person for this position”.

He has a great sense of humour

he has also a feeling of belonging

capable of soothing the most difficult

to the organisation he works for,

situation”. “He is an extraordinary

which is difficult to find in many

person – Kamalski continues – I have

professionals”. As said by Mr Kusche,

known Bev since 1984, together with

“Bev knows everyone in the industry,

Mark Saunders we are the survivors

if you need some technical advice you

of the RDS expert group at EBU still

can always refer to him as he has been

working for TISA”.

one of the key figures for TPEG”. Mr

Thanks

to

discovered

Theo a

Kamalski

quite

we

extraordinary

document; “The Marks’ Newsletter” produced in 1998 on the occasion of the publication of the book “RDS - The Radio Data System” written

by Bev Marks and Dietmar Kopitz.

In this unique newsletter Mr Marks names TPEG probably for the first

A long term colleague of Bev Marks,

time “during 1998, I have also been

Theo Kamalski gives us some historical

working on a new Project for the EBU

insights on the early days of Bev Marks

called TPEG... This activity takes me

work; “Bev is first of all an expert of

to Geneva every month for a week or

RDS (Radio Data System) where all

more”.

started and which paved the way to the TMC and TPEG activities”. Mr Kamalski also explains how the calm (and calming) approach of Bev Marks has been helpful in many occasions, especially in difficult circumstances.

“I remember that at the end of a

Thomas Kusche, current President of TISA and long term representative of the WDR (West German Broadcasting) at the Broadcasting Union, has known Bev Marks for over 12 years since Mr Marks time at the EBU.

meeting after a difficult discussion on

According to Mr Kusche two words

RDS he could come back in the room

can

and say ‘Gentlemen can we continue

expertise and reliability; “it is a joy

this meeting in my own Battle field?’

working with Bev, he is not only an

[Battle is Bev Marks home town].

extremely competent person but

best

describe

Bev

Marks:

Bev Marks and Matthias Unbehaun receive the Sparrow of Ulm from Martin Dreher in Bordeaux

Kusche participated in one of the last TPEG Forum meetings in 2007, before its merge with the TMC Forum into TISA when Mr Marks was still working for the EBU. He states that one of the greatest successes of Bev Marks was to make the commercial aspect and possibilities of TPEG understood and respected by a Union made of public services.

The Sparrow of Ulm According to legend, the construction of the tower of the cathedral of Ulm (the tallest in the world at 160m) stopped while only halfway completed when a wagon carrying a large wooden beam - loaded sideways - arrived at the narrow city gate.

After contemplating how best to proceed, the mayor of Ulm gave the order to tear down part of the city wall, but before the order was carried out, a sparrow bird was observed manoeuvring a long twig into its nest lengthwise! Following the lead of the sparrow, the beam was turned, the wagon passed through the narrow gate, work was resumed, the cathedral was completed, and the legend of the Ulmer Spätze (Spaarrow of Ulm) was born.

Source: http://www. steincollectors.org/library/ articles/ulm/ulm.htm

13

to be released and to continue to inspire.

Over his career Bev Marks has also

been granted with the title of Honorary Member by the RDS Forum, a non-profit international professional industry association that aims to promote and maintain the Radio Data System (RDS) technology, developed by the European Broadcasting Union as an open system to enhance FM broadcasting.

As

Dietmar

Kopitz

explains, Bev Marks received his honorary membership for his work in TISA Executive Office: Stephanie Chaufton, Bev Marks and Amaury Cornelis at the Committees Meetings in Bordeaux, 2012

RDS technology as “in the early days of RDS Bev was responsible at the BBC

But what do TPEG gurus think about

a keen botanist and so we were both

for implementing RDS on the BBC’s

Bev Mark? Martin Dreher, “one of the

using the standard Latin word rather

transmitter networks”.

most knowledgeable experts in the

than the English or German ones. This

But Mr Marks achievements and

TPEG world”, as Amaury Cornelis

is what TPEG is about – a standardised

honours go way beyond TPEG...

states, worked on TPEG software

language for travel information”.

a fond hiker, lover of nature and

Mr Marks has been the originator of

countryside, the man who wears only

the TPEG framework; as Mr Dreher

red socks is also the Chairman of the

confirms “initially the working group

Battle Ramblers, a walking group

was called “B-TPEG”; Bev has been so

and affiliated club to the national

much involved in this work that we

Ramblers Association in the UK. Last

used to joke that the B was standing

July, together with some other 200

for Bev rather than for broadcast!”

audacious ramblers, Mr Marks walked

development for over 10 years. Mr Dreher first met Bev Marks in Geneva at the TPEG Forum meetings; “I learnt a lot from Bev, he is always very open and supportive in finding a common agreement, he has a great sensibility towards and a deep understanding for people of different nationalities”.

for a week, every evening, during the

Mr Dreher worked with Marks in the

Bev Marks appreciation comes from

development of TPEG for long time

all different parts of the industry; just

and

to

a few days ago, the TISA Committees

This is only the latest of Bev Marks

establish a universal terminology for

Meetings met in Bordeaux for the last

successes, many more are to come

traveller information. “Once after a

meeting of Mr Marks as Executive

as many more there will be for the

meeting in Geneva we were walking

Director.

over

TISA community. Indeed 2013 is going

around. At one point I comment on

his mission to Matthias Unbehaun.

to be a busy year for the association

an Ilex (Latin name for Holly) and

On that occasion the retiring and

with the next Committees Meetings

immediately Bev understood what

designed Executive Directors received

hosted in Seattle in March and the

tree I was referring to, because he is

an unusual gift from Martin Dreher;

second Testfest announced in May

the little sparrow of Ulm that inspired

hosted again in Munich.

explains

the

importance

initially the working group was called “B-TPEG”; Bev has been so much involved in this work that we used to joke that the B was standing for Bev rather than for broadcast!

Mr

Marks

handed

Battle’s Big Event.

the inhabitants of the German city to complete the construction of the cathedral tower. Symbolically, Bev Marks is the sparrow of TISA as

The author wishes to thank Stephanie

he has inspired the TISA community

Chaufton,

to build its work and to look to the

Reneric, Thomas Kusche, Theo Kamalski,

right direction. Matthias Unbehaun,

Martin Dreher and Dietmar Kopitz for

received a sparrow in a cage, ready

their help in putting together this article.

Amaury

Cornelis,

Michel

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