In late 2001, various parties approached Interalia and Baldwin Boxall and requested that the two companies join forces to design and manufacture Help Point systems. Of course, they listened with great interest and in November 2001 three presentations were hosted by IBBISS Ltd to London Underground and other interested parties on their proposed system. Following the feedback given by those who attended the presentation, IBBISS then spent the next six months designing a concept system, for the Development Progress demonstrations.
These Development Progress Demonstration sessions proved extremely successful, with positive feedback from all those who attended the ten London and two Birmingham sessions. IBBISS will now move the design forward and in November/December 2002 the same attendees will be invited to a mock Factory Acceptance Test to ensure that the Help Point System meets the stringent London Underground standards.
IBBISS will officially launch the system at a location in London, yet to be announced, in November 2002. The system will also be on public view at the Railtex exhibition, (NEC Birmingham - 26-28 November, Stand 2/465). IBBISS have further plans for the system and will be designing Help Point enclosure configurations for use within car parks, shopping malls, town centres, railway and bus stations, and more.
(Lee Baldock)