The document describes the improvements made over 6 weeks to transform a room in Building 1 into an AVL (Automatic Vehicle Location) Room. Workers removed soiled mattresses, repaired walls and floors, and added a fresh coat of paint. They installed a glass wall, ceiling, windows, lights, and electrical fittings. Once construction was complete, they added carpet tiles, data network cabling, blinds, and air conditioning. Computer equipment and furniture were set up, allowing basic system testing. By the final stage, the AVL system was in full operation and able to track public transportation vehicles in real time.

1. The Transport Project in
Bahrain
How existing facilities were improved over the first few months
A P Sutcliffe, MSc CCI, MBCS

2. Building 1 – AVL Room
This room on the second floor had been used
as accommodation; the first work completed
was to remove the soiled mattresses left
behind by the previous occupants.
A key feature of the plans was to ensure that
the business could make use of technology to
provide the most efficient service.

3. Building 1 – AVL Room
It’s surprising what a difference a few weeks
made.
Repairs to walls and floor and a coat of paint
make a huge difference; but there was still a
long way to go.

4. Building 1 – AVL Room
This room was selected to be the “AVL
Room”; the equipment to be installed would
be used to track vehicle movements. It would
therefore act as the “brain” behind the traffic
control function.
This room will be a very improvement
showcase. It is intended that people should
be able to stand outside, looking in; and that
they should be able to see how things are
operating. So a glass wall will allow to see the
operations, without disturbing the workers

5. Building 1 – AVL Room
The frame to hold the glass was a lot heavier
than expected, even without the glass. As a
result, it was decided to fit a stronger girder
to take the weight of the structure and make
it safer, rather than use the bracing struts
that had originally been specified.
Although fitting this took a bit of time, it did
not cause too much delay to the project. It
was actually done is just a single day

6. Building 1 – AVL Room
Once the majority of the building work was
complete, sub contractors put up a grid and
it was possible to fit the false ceiling; and at
this point, the room began to take shape.
The windows were fitted, lights installed and
electrical fitting completed. The power still
wasn’t on at this stage as work was till be
carried out in the other offices.

7. Building 1 – AVL Room
With the false ceiling tiles in place, the
double glazed panes could be fitted into the
frame; and as the room was now contained,
the air conditioning could be commissioned.
At this point, the construction works were
very slightly behind schedule; but due to
some overtime, it was very quickly back on
track.

8. Building 1 – AVL Room
Once the construction work had been
completed in all of the office spaces, they
were then fitted out with carpet tiles; these
help reduce the noise within the room and
make it a better working environment.
But as some work was still ongoing, the tiles
were protected by a series of sheets of
plastic.
Shortly after fitting the carpet, the surface
mounted trunking for the data network
cables was installed; and this then allowed
the cables to be run throughout all of the
building.

9. Building 1 – AVL Room
Once the majority of the fitting work was
complete, the protective coverings could be
removed.
Blinds have also been fitted to the windows;
this will help to reduce the glare on monitor
screens.
As the air conditioning is now working, the
room the room starts to look as it should;
and it is going to be an impressive feature as
well as a highly functional area.

10. Building 1 – AVL Room
The first PCs were setup so that the system
could be tested and checked. This allowed
any minor snags to be addressed.
Although not completely operational, it
allowed some tests to be carried out to
ensure that the system will function as it
should.
However, at this stage, the correct furniture
had not been delivered; and there were still
a few more items to be fitted.

11. Building 1 – AVL Room
Large TV screens were fitted to the wall.
These devices will be important at a later
stage as they will show warning information
to the controllers that will need to be acted
on very quickly.
The new furniture was also delivered and
assembled; and therefore the final fitting of
the computing equipment could begin.

12. Building 1 – AVL Room
The final stage; and the AVL room is in full
operation.
With the system now receiving data from the
buses, their movements can be tracked in
real time. Staff can proactively manage the
movement of vehicles to ensure an efficient
and cost effective service throughout the
Kingdom.
This was the view of the AVL room, that the
Minister and his staff saw when they visited.
They were highly pleased; and some of the
ministry staff even had the opportunity to
“road test” the operation of the system for
themselves.

13. Building 1 - AVL Room; a 6 week journey
15th February 2015 4th April 2015