#Japan #VIVOTEK #Hirakata #LPR Technology #Keihan Bus

Transforming Fleet Management

Keihan Bus, a well-established public transportation provider in the Kansai region, has implemented VIVOTEK's advanced License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology to streamline its fleet management processes. The integration of this intelligent security solution plays a pivotal role in enhancing operational efficiency at their Hirakata office, which oversees a vast number of buses across multiple routes.

Background: Pioneering Next-Generation Fleet Management

Founded in 1922, Keihan Bus has dedicated over a century to providing reliable public transport solutions. The company operates an extensive network that connects major urban areas in Osaka, Kyoto, and Shiga, serving over 10,000 passengers daily. This includes direct routes to popular tourist spots like Kiyomizu-dera and Dotonbori, not to mention critical services tied to the upcoming Osaka-Kansai Expo in 2025. As a core operational hub, the Hirakata office manages the largest fleet within Keihan Bus, necessitating a robust vehicle management system to ensure efficiency and service quality.

The Challenge: Increasing Fleet Size and Labor Shortages

In March 2025, the Hirakata office underwent a significant relocation, which led to the expansion of parking areas and an increase in the vehicle count to around 120 buses. This enlargement created an urgent need for a more efficient management system. Until then, confirming the parking positions of buses was done manually: crew members had to visually check each vehicle’s location after completing their drives, marking their spots on a whiteboard using magnets. This labor-intensive process posed considerable challenges in terms of operational burden.

Moreover, an exacerbating factor was a recent amendment to labor regulations concerning bus drivers' working hours, contributing to a pronounced driver shortage. In light of this, Keihan Bus recognized the critical need to accelerate the digital transformation of its operations to alleviate the burden on its staff.

The Solution Implemented: A Visualized Parking Management System

In collaboration with IBS Japan and Mobile Create Inc., Keihan Bus adopted the groundbreaking ‘Bus Entry and Exit Management System’ utilizing VIVOTEK’s LPR technology. The key component, the IP9165-LPR-v2 JPN camera, was installed at multiple locations within the office. This cutting-edge LPR camera reads license plates in real-time during bus entry, exit, and parking.

The captured data is processed within the system, accurately pinpointing the latest positions of each vehicle. This information is then displayed on digital signage throughout the office, allowing staff to quickly locate their assigned buses, thereby minimizing both delays and potential confusion during check-ins and departures.

By digitizing what was once an analog parking management process, Keihan Bus significantly improved its operational efficiency, effectively reducing both the drivers’ and office staff's workloads.

Benefits of VIVOTEK’s Solutions

The successful integration of VIVOTEK’s technology has supplied Keihan Bus with numerous advantages:

1. Consistent Performance: User feedback highlights the high recognition accuracy of the cameras, fostering confidence in the system’s overall reliability. With features like WDR Pro technology to mitigate glare from strong sunlight and Supreme Night Visibility (SNV) for low-light conditions, the cameras demonstrate exceptional capability.

2. User-friendly Setup: VIVOTEK’s systems are noted for their intuitive configuration, allowing for a smooth implementation process compared to competitors.

3. Robust Local Support: IBS Japan provides prompt and courteous support, enhancing the overall reliability of the integration.

4. High Compatibility: The technology's compatibility with existing management systems facilitated easy data integration, expediting the entire unification process.

Customer Testimonials

_the following testimonials highlight the positive impacts of the new system on operations:_

• - Keihan Bus: “Since the system's implementation, we have made several minor adjustments for optimization and observed that the recognition rates have remained consistently high and stable.”

• - Mobile Create: “This was our first venture into solution-based projects, and thanks to the comprehensive support from IBS Japan, we successfully launched the system. Handling the camera solution offered invaluable experiences and boosted our confidence for future undertakings.”

Conclusion

The implementation of VIVOTEK's LPR technology has significantly transformed Keihan Bus’s fleet management operations, demonstrating the real benefits of digital solutions in addressing contemporary challenges within the public transport sector. It stands as a testament to the potential of intelligent technologies in enhancing efficiency and reliability in public transportation services.

For inquiries about VIVOTEK products and services, please contact VIVOTEK Japan.