• Gerhard Siegl, Head of Vehicle Procurement, Technical Support and Head of the Test Group at Wiener Linien says: “We use the diagnostic data from Omniplus On Data Packages to optimise workshop operations”.
• Communication module on board as standard in all Daimler Buses vehicles
• Diagnostic data for optimising workshop operation
• Supporting the drivers in real time in real time
• Data security is a top priority
• About Wiener Linien

Leinfelden-Echterdingen – Wiener Linien GmbH & Co. KG is fully committed to using digitalisation to optimise the management of their bus fleet. The company operates local public transport in the Austrian capital using Omniplus On Data Packages. Omniplus is Daimler Buses' service brand. Its digital services process up to 30,000 data points from over 400 Mercedes-Benz low-floor buses in Wiener Linien's fleet in near real time and provide the fleet operator with this data as required. In Wiener Linien's case, Omniplus On transmits the data to the existing third-party fleet management and telematics system using an Internet-based data interface (API).

For Wiener Linien, the focus is on increasing vehicle availability and improving workshop management. Real-time data transmission means that causes of failure can be promptly identified and suitably remedied. This puts an end to unnecessary interruptions of journeys, improves workshop scheduling and lets spare parts be procured in good time. With the integration of 60 new Mercedes-Benz eCitaro electric buses, of which the Wiener Linien have recently put the first into operation, the Vienna public transport company will be using additional services of the Omniplus On Data Package in the future. 

Citaro comes with a communication module as standard

The Bus Data Center forms the basis of the Omniplus On Data Packages. This is a communication module that is connected to the entire vehicle electronics system via the CAN bus. Bus Data Center collects thousands of data points from the vehicle and sends them in near real time to Daimler Truck Cloud servers used by Omniplus On via the mobile phone network. From there, the fleet operator can access them as required. The Bus Data Center also enables bidirectional communication. This lets the workshop or fleet manager view specific data or send commands to a certain bus, for example to control the charging process of an eCitaro. Since as early as 2018, all new Mercedes-Benz buses have been factory-equipped with a communication module of this kind at no extra charge. This not only saves bus operators from having to purchase additional telematics boxes, it also eradicates the costs and risks of installation. Above all, however, it puts an end to potentially impaired compatibility and maintenance issues. Data security is ensured as data transmissions made by the vehicle’s own communication module comply with the latest legislation regarding cybersecurity management systems. As a result, this solution provides transport companies with a secure regulatory framework for further analysis.

Diagnostic data for optimising workshop operations

Omniplus On services can be purchased individually as required for analysing and processing the transmitted data. For example, Wiener Linien uses the Diagnostic Data Package. This service displays all fault messages shown in the vehicle, including pop-up messages that disappear from the screen again quickly. This makes it possible to identify technical problems (e.g. in door control systems) at an early stage. Optional remote diagnostics covers a similar spectrum to diagnostics performed using stationary equipment in workshops. The data service expands the range of viewable data and analyses into detailed diagnostic data for the company’s own workshop. This also relieves the strain on workshop personnel responding to error messages as there is no need to obtain diagnostic data manually and they no longer need to physically travel to the vehicle.

“We use this diagnostic data to optimise workshop operations”, explains Gerhard Siegl, Head of Vehicle Procurement, technical consultant and head of the test group at Wiener Linien. “This means that the required spare parts can be prepared before the vehicle arrives, which speeds up installation work.” Furthermore, information on brake wear, for example, is used to plan upcoming maintenance work.

Supporting the drivers in real time in real time

Omniplus On Data Packages also transmit the notifications and event messages displayed in the driver’s cockpit. "This allows us to support the drivers quickly if necessary", explains Gerhard Siegl. "The automatic data transfer improves how we plan maintenance measures. And if a technical defect occurs, we can react quickly to prevent serious damage." In an emergency, this can mean removing a bus from service in an organised manner by smoothly replacing the faulty vehicle with another.

This not only lessens the impact of the technical fault, “It also saves passengers from waiting around and having their journeys interrupted”, stresses Siegl.

Data security is a top priority

The information about Wiener Linien's buses that is provided by Omniplus On Data Packages helps to increase the operational readiness and efficiency of the bus fleet. With the consent of the customer, Daimler Buses also uses the data from ongoing operation and incorporates it into further development of the vehicles.

More than 500,000 buses and trucks are already linked to the Daimler Truck Cloud used by Omniplus On. Their data is transmitted in encrypted format and stored and backed up on European servers. GDPR compliance, data security and cybersecurity are of the utmost importance. Omniplus On already meets the requirements of the EU directive that will become binding in 2024.

About Wiener Linien

In addition to underground trains and trams, Wiener Linien also operate over 130 bus routes within Vienna’s city limis together with their constractors. The company runs a fleet of more than 400 Mercedes-Benz low-floor buses in addition to Citaro solo buses, Citaro G articulated buses and CapaCity buses that are 12, 18 and 19.7 metres long respectively. In 2022, the company started successively replacing its existing fleet with Citaro models of the current generation. Wiener Linien buses cover a total distance of around 22 million kilometres per year.