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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