Looping a Bus or Coach

The Equalities Act 2010 requires that an equal level of services is provided to the disabled where it is reasonable to do so. But, if you take a tick box approach to complying with legislation in this field, it is most likely that you will buy cheap and waste money on a system that helps no one.

'Installing standard compliant induction loop systems on buses and coaches actually makes good business sense

Consider someone who is hard of hearing, trying to buy a ticket from the driver or ask a question about the service. With engine noise and background traffic noise compounding their difficulty to understand what is being said,the exchange will, inevitably, take much longer, frustrating the driver, upsetting the hard of hearing person and delaying everyone. With a standard compliant loop installed, this would be avoided and everyone benfits.

If the driver is expected to speak to the passengers when they board, perhaps to inspect or sell tickets, then a one to one type induction loop such as a counter loop should be installed to cover this position. Where the driver or tour guide uses a PA system to provide passenger information or an automatic voice announcer is used then a loop providing full area coverage of the cabin is required.

The principal operation of an induction loop system in a vehicle is no different to a room loop. However in these applications there are different EMC requirements and operating conditions that must be considered, including much higher signal losses due to metal than in most applications.

The drivers position can be covered using a simialr approach to that used for counters. The installation will be dependent on the vehicle,however, the basic system will be the same:

A loop amplifer recommended for use on vehicles operating on the same supply type as the vehicle, 12Vdc or 24Vdc, a microphone than can be fixed in a suitable and safe position, Near and facing the driver when he is speaking to an individual passenger, but not such that it could be a safety hazard for the driver or passenger. (A goose neck or surface mount microphone should be suitable) A loop to cover the local driver/passenger position,a preformed multiturn loop such as the Univox® Seat pad might be suitable although it may be necessary to custom design the loop to fit the installation constraints.

The amplifier should have sufficient output power to cope with the signal loss associated with the close proximity of metal.

Depending on the power requirements, the Univox CLS-1 or CLS-5 are suitable choices.

For full coverage of the vehicle, the CLS-5 may be suitable, but the more powerful TLS-2 may be required. In this case a perimeter loop must be installed around the cabin, this can be at floor or roof level. Typically, floor level loops will need much higher power than those at roof level because:

1. they are further from the listening plane and
2. there is more constructional metal absorbing the signal at this level.

It is possible that there are systems operating on the vehicle that generate interfering magnetic fields. These magnetic fields tend to be quite localised e.g. directly adjacent to the vehicle air conditioning system, but they do mean that not every seat on the vehicle will be suitable.

To fully understand what the requirements for the system are and what if any issues with background magnetic noise there are, We recommend a site survey where a temporary loop is installed and measurements are taken.

We can advise on how to make a site survey or complete one for you.   Request a Survey

Where a system is installed, it is the duty of the operator to advertise the loop system to passengers, provide a coverage map where applicable and routinely check the operation of the system using a loop Listener .