SE1451111A1

SE1451111A1 - Method and system for operating doors of a vehicle convoy

Info

Publication number: SE1451111A1
Application number: SE1451111A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Jon Andersson; André Claesson
Original assignee: Scania Cv Ab
Priority date: 2014-09-22
Filing date: 2014-09-22
Publication date: 2016-03-23
Also published as: SE538481C2; DE102015011272A1

Description

10 15 20 25 An object of the present invention is to provide a method for operating doors of a vehicle convoy along a predetermined route which facilitates efficient transportation of passengers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for operating doors of a vehicle convoy along a predetermined route which facilitates efficient transportation of passengers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These and other objects, apparent from the following description, are achieved by a method, a system, a vehicle convoy, a computer program and a computer program product, which are of the type stated by way of introduction and which in addition exhibits the features recited in the characterising clause of the appended independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the method and the system are defined in appended dependent claims.

Specifically an object of the invention is achieved by a method for operating doors of a vehicle convoy for passenger transport along a predetermined route, the vehicle convoy comprising at least two mutually separated vehicle units, one of the vehicle units being a leading vehicle unit, said vehicle units being mutually wirelessly interconnected. The method comprises the steps of: determining whether criteria for allowing operation of doors are fulfilled; and, when said criteria for allowing operation of doors of all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy are fulfilled, synchronously operate the doors for all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy. Hereby efficient transportation of passengers is facilitated due to the fact that efficient stops of the vehicle convoy are facilitated in that the flow of passengers entering and leaving the bus/buses by each stop hereby is performed efficiently. 10 15 20 25 According to an embodiment of the method said vehicle units are constituted by buses.

According to an embodiment of the method control of the leading vehicle unit is detected and communicated to the rest of the vehicle units of the vehicle convoy. Hereby efficient drive of the vehicle convoy is facilitated in that the leading vehicle unit controls the trailing vehicle units during drive and stop.

According to an embodiment of the method the vehicle convoy is controlled by a driver.

According to an embodiment of the method the vehicle convoy is autonomously controlled.

According to an embodiment of the method said synchronous operation of doors comprises synchronous opening of doors and synchronous closing of doors. Hereby efficient opening for flow of passengers in and out of the each vehicle unit is facilitated and efficient take off from a stop is also facilitated through synchronous closing.

According to an embodiment of the method said criteria comprises: stand still of all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy, all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy being on a dedicated position, all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy having any kind of brake function activated, all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy having a working operation function, and, in connection to closing of doors, all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy having requisite clearance of the doors; and wherein operation is allowed when one or more of the criteria are fulfilled. By thus taking these criteria in to consideration efficient and safe stop and take off of the vehicle convoy is facilitated.

According to an embodiment of the method the step of determining whether the criteria are fulfilled comprises the step of detecting applicable vehicle functions by means of applicable sensors of vehicle units of the vehicle convoy, and communicating the result of the detection within the vehicle 10 15 20 25 convoy. By thus detecting applicable vehicle functions such as speed of vehicle units, brake function of vehicle units, working operation function of the doors of vehicle units, requisite clearance of doors of vehicle units determination of whether the criteria are fulfilled is facilitated, and by communicating the result within the vehicle convoy, e.g. to the leading vehicle, synchronized opening/closing ofthe doors of the vehicle units ofthe vehicle convoy becomes efficient.

Specifically an object of the invention is achieved by a system for operating doors of a vehicle convoy for passenger transport along a predetermined route according to independent claim 9.

The system further comprises the embodiments according to claims 10-16.

The system according to the invention has the advantages according to the corresponding method claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon the reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which: Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle convoy according to the present invenüon; Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a vehicle convoy according to the present invenüon; Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a system for operating doors of a vehicle convoy for passenger transport along a predetermined route according to an embodiment of the present invention; ”IO 15 20 25 Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a block diagram of a method for operating doors of a vehicle convoy for passenger transport along a predetermined route according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter the term "link" refers to a communication link which may be a physical connector, such as an optoelectronic communication wire, or a non- physical connector such as a wireless connection, for example a radio or microwave link.

Hereinafter the term “mutually separated vehicle units” refers to the vehicle units being separated from each other such that there is no physical connection between the vehicles.

Hereinafter the term “vehicle units being mutually wirelessly interconnected” refers to the vehicles being interconnected via a communication link for communication between the vehicle units for controlling drive of the vehicles trailing the leading vehicle such that they follow the leading vehicle. The term thus communication between the vehicle units which is a non-physical connector, “wireless interconnection” refers to a communication link for i.e. a wireless connection, for example a radio or microwave link, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or the like.

Hereinafter the term “predetermined route” refers to a route in the form of a road on which the vehicle convoy for passenger transport is intended to travel and make stops for allowing passengers to boarding and getting off the vehicle units, e.g. buses, via the doors of the vehicle units, by operating the doors, i.e. opening and closing the doors, of the vehicle units. The vehicle 10 15 20 25 convoy is intended for regular traffic in e.g. cities along routes with stops where there are many passengers entering and leaving the vehicle units.

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle convoy 1A for passenger transport along a predetermined route R. The vehicle convoy 1A comprises two mutually separated vehicle units 2, 3, a leading vehicle unit 2 and a trailing vehicle unit 3. Said vehicle units are mutually wirelessly interconnected. The vehicle units 2, 3 are constituted by buses.

The leading vehicle unit 2 has a front door 2a, a back door 2b and intermediate doors 2c for passengers to enter and leave the vehicle unit 2.

Correspondingly, the trailing vehicle unit 3 has a front door 3a, a back door 3b and intermediate doors 3c for passengers to enter and leave the vehicle unit 3.

The leading vehicle unit 2 is interconnected with the trailing vehicle unit 3 via a wireless interconnection 23.

The vehicle convoy 1A comprises and/or is connected to a system I, not shown in fig. 1, for operating doors of the vehicle convoy, an embodiment of the system I being shown in fig. 3. The system I comprises means for detecting control of the leading vehicle unit and means for communicating said detected control to the trailing vehicle unit 3 of the vehicle convoy 1.

Hereby the trailing vehicle unit 3 will follow the leading vehicle unit 2 at a start and along the predetermined route R and stop when the leading vehicle unit 2 stops.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a vehicle convoy 1B for passenger transport along a predetermined route R. The vehicle convoy 1B comprises three mutually separated vehicle units 2, 3, 4, a leading vehicle unit 2, and a first trailing vehicle unit 3 trailing the leading vehicle unit 2, and a second trailing vehicle unit 4 trailing the second vehicle unit 3. The leading vehicle unit 2 and the trailing vehicle units 3, 4 form a vehicle train with the first trailing vehicle unit 3 running between the leading vehicle unit 2 and the second trailing 10 15 20 25 vehicle unit 4. Said vehicle units 2, 3, 4 are mutually wirelessly interconnected with wireless interconnections 23, 34, 24. The vehicle units 2, 3, 4 are constituted by buses.

There could thus be two or more vehicle units wirelessly interconnected in such a way depending on the need.

Correspondingly, the first trailing vehicle unit 3 has a front door 3a, a back door 3b and intermediate doors 3c for passengers to enter and leave the vehicle unit 3 and the second trailing vehicle unit 4 has a front door 4a, a back door 4b and intermediate doors 4c for passengers to enter and leave the vehicle unit 4.

The leading vehicle unit 2 is interconnected with the first trailing vehicle unit 3 via a wireless interconnection 23, the first trailing vehicle unit 3 is interconnected with the second trailing vehicle unit 4 via a wireless interconnection 34 and the trailing vehicle unit is interconnected with the second trailing vehicle unit 4 via a wireless interconnection 24.

The vehicle convoy 1B may also be interconnected to an external unit 200 via wireless links 22, 32, 42 to the respective vehicle unit 2, 3, 4.

The vehicle convoy 1B comprises and/or is connected to a system l, not shown in fig. 2, for operating doors of the vehicle convoy 1B, an embodiment of the system I being shown in fig. 3. The system I comprises means for detecting control of the leading vehicle unit 2 and means for communicating said detected control to the trailing vehicle units 3, 4 of the vehicle convoy 1.

Hereby the trailing vehicle units 3, 4 will follow the leading vehicle unit 2 at a start and along the predetermined route R and stop when the leading vehicle unit 2 stops. 10 15 20 25 The wireless interconnections and external unit are according to an embodiment comprised in the system for operating the doors of the vehicle convoy1B, i.e. the doors of the vehicle units 2, 3, 4.

Fig. 2 illustrates the vehicle convoy 1B at a stop, i.e. a bus stop, for allowing passengers to get on and off the vehicle units 2, 3, 4, i.e. the buses. The stop S could be a platform. According to an embodiment the vehicle convoy 1B and thus each vehicle unit 2, 3, 4 have dedicated positions P1, P2, P3 along the longitudinal extension of the stop and a position P transversally relative to the stop, i.e. the distance from the stop to the side of the vehicle, for each vehicle unit 2, 3, 4.

The vehicle convoy 1A, 1B in fig. 1 and 2 is according to an embodiment arranged to be controlled by a driver. According to a variant the vehicle convoy 1A, 1B is arranged to be controlled by a driver in the leading vehicle unit 2. According to a variant the trailing vehicle units 3; 3, 4 are controlled by the leading vehicle unit 2. According to a variant the trailing vehicle units 3; 3, 4 are autonomous and do not have a driver. According to a variant one or more of the trailing vehicle units have an operator/driver supervising the drive of the trailing vehicle.

According to an embodiment the vehicle convoy 1A, 1B is arranged to be autonomously controlled.

The vehicle convoy 1A, 1B according to the present invention may have any suitable number of trailing vehicle units.

The vehicle convoy 1A, 1B comprises means 120 for synchronously operating the doors for all vehicle units 2, 3; 2, 3, 4 of the vehicle convoy 1A, 1B when criteria for allowing operation of doors of all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy 1A, 1B are fulfilled.

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a system I for operating doors of a vehicle convoy for passenger transport along a predetermined route according to an 10 15 20 25 embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle convoy comprises at least two mutually separated vehicle units, one of the vehicle units being a leading vehicle unit, said vehicle units being mutually wirelessly interconnected.

The vehicle convoy could e.g. be a vehicle convoy according to fig. 1 or fig. 2. The vehicle units are according to an embodiment constituted by buses.

The system I comprises an electronic control unit 100. The electronic control unit 100 is according to a variant arranged in the leading vehicle unit of the vehicle unit configuration. The electronic control unit according to a variant comprises electronic control units for each vehicle unit of the vehicle convoy.

The system may also comprise additional electronic control units signal connected to the electronic control unit 100 via links. For simplicity only one electronic control unit 100 is shown in fig. 3.

The system I comprises means 110 for determining whether criteria for allowing operation of doors are fulfilled.

Said criteria comprises stand still of all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy, i.e. the speed of each vehicle unit should be zero.

Said criteria further comprises all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy being on a dedicated position, e.g. as illustrated in fig. 2. Each vehicle unit should thus be on a dedicated position relative to e.g. a bus stop/platform and relative to the other vehicle units of the vehicle convoy.

Said criteria further comprises all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy having any kind of brake function activated.

Said criteria further comprises all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy having a working operation function of the doors. The operation function of the doors comprises according to an embodiment an air pressure operation function comprising air pressure means for providing air pressure for opening and closing the doors of the vehicle units of the vehicle convoy. The operation function of the doors may comprise any suitable means for operating the 10 15 20 25 10 doors, i.e. opening and closing the doors, such as electric means for opening and closing the doors of the vehicle units of the vehicle convoy by means of electricity, and/or mechanical means for operating the doors, and/or hydraulic means, and/or electromagnetic means.

Said criteria further comprises, in connection to closing of doors, all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy having requisite clearance of the doors.

Operation is allowed when one or more of these criteria, preferably all, are fulfilled.

Said means 110 for determining whether the criteria are fulfilled thus comprises means 111, 112, 113, 114, 115 for detecting applicable vehicle functions by means of applicable sensors of vehicle units of the vehicle convoy.

The means 110 for determining whether criteria for allowing operation of doors are fulfilled comprises means 111 for determining stand still of all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy. Said means 111 for determining stand still of all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy may comprise any suitable detector for determining stand still of each vehicle unit such as speedometer of each vehicle unit.

The means 110 for determining whether criteria for allowing operation of doors are fulfilled comprises means 112 for determining whether all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy are on a dedicated position. Said means 112 comprises according to an embodiment any suitable detector for sensing the right position for each vehicle unit, said sensor comprising e.g. radar, LIDAR, or the like. Said means comprises according to an embodiment a global positioning system, GPS, or the like.

The means 110 for determining whether criteria for allowing operation of doors are fulfilled comprises means 113 for determining whether all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy have any kind of brake function activated. Said 10 15 20 25 11 means 113 comprises any kind of suitable detector for sensing activation of relevant brakes of each vehicle unit.

The means 110 for determining whether criteria for allowing operation of doors are fulfilled comprises means 114 for determining whether all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy having a working operation function of the doors.

Said means 114 comprises any kind of suitable detector for sensing working operation function of the doors of each vehicle unit, e.g. air pressure when doors are operated by means of air pressure.

The means 110 for determining whether criteria for allowing operation of doors are fulfilled comprises means 115 for determining whether all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy have requisite clearance of the doors. Said means comprises any kind of suitable sensor for sensing clearance of the doors of each vehicle unit.

Said means 111, means 112, means 113, means 114 and means 115 thus all are means for detecting applicable vehicle functions.

The means 110 for determining whether criteria for allowing operation of doors are fulfilled comprises means 116 for communicating the result of the detection within the vehicle convoy. Said means 116 means for communicating the result of the detection within the vehicle convoy is arranged to communicate the results to the electronic control unit 100.

The system I further comprises means 120 for synchronously operating the doors for all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy when said criteria for allowing operation of doors of all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy are fulfilled.

Said means 120 for synchronously operating the doors comprises means 122 for synchronous opening of doors and means 124 for synchronous closing of doors.

Said means 120 for synchronously operating the doors comprises according to an embodiment air pressure means for providing air pressure for opening 10 15 20 25 12 and closing the doors of the vehicle units of the vehicle convoy. Said means 120 for synchronousiy operating the doors may comprise any suitable means for operating the doors, i.e. opening and closing the doors, such as electric means for opening and closing the doors of the vehicle units of the vehicle convoy by means of electricity, and/or mechanical means for operating the doors, and/or hydraulic means, and/or electromagnetic means.

The system also comprises means 130 for detecting control of the leading vehicle unit. Said means 130 may comprise any suitable detector for detecting control of the leading vehicle including detecting drive of the leading vehicle, braking of the leading vehicle, and gear change of the leading vehicle.

The system also comprises means 140 for communicating said detected control to the rest of the vehicle units of the vehicle convoy. Said means 140 for communicating the detected control may comprise any suitable unit for communicating the control to the other vehicle units, e.g. to electronic control units of the other vehicle units. Said electronic control unit 100 comprises according to a variant said means 140 for communicating the control to the other vehicle units. Hereby efficient drive of the vehicle convoy is facilitated in that the leading vehicle unit controls the trailing vehicle units during drive and stop.

Below the electronic control unit 100 of the system I and its connection to the above mentioned means 110, 120, 130, 140 is described. ln this context the term “a link” may refer to one link or several links, i.e. two or more links.

Further in this context the term “a signal” may refer to one signal or several signals, i.e. two or more signals.

The electronic control unit 100 is signal connected to the means 110 for determining whether criteria for allowing operation of doors are fulfilled via a link 110a. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 110a arranged to 10 15 20 25 13 receive a signal from said means 110 representing data for door operation criteria.

The electronic control unit 100 is signal connected to the means 111 for determining stand still of all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy via a link 111a. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 111a arranged to receive a signal from said means 111 representing vehicle speed data for vehicle speed of all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy.

The electronic control unit 100 is signal connected to the means 112 for determining whether all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy are on a dedicated position via a link 112a. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 112a arranged to receive a signal from said means 112 representing position data for position of each vehicle unit of the vehicle convoy relative to a stop such as a bus stop.

The electronic control unit 100 is signal connected to the means 113 for determining whether all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy have any kind of brake function activated via a link 113a. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 113a arranged to receive a signal from said means 113 representing brake activation data for activated brake function of all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy.

The electronic control unit 100 is signal connected to the means 114 for determining whether all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy have a working operation function of the doors via a link 114a. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 114a arranged to receive a signal from said means 114 representing operation function data for working operation function of the doors of all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy.

The electronic control unit 100 is signal connected to the means 115 for determining whether all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy have requisite clearance of the doors via a link 115a. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 115a arranged to receive a signal from said means 115 representing 10 15 20 25 14 clearance data for clearance of the doors of all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy.

The electronic control unit 100 is signal connected to the means 116 for communicating the result of the detection of said means 111, 112, 113, 114 and/or 115 within the vehicle convoy via a link 116a. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 116a arranged to receive a signal from said means 116 representing result data for result of said detection.

The electronic control unit 100 is signal connected to the means 120 for synchronously operating the doors for all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy when said criteria for allowing operation of doors of all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy are fulfilled via a link 120a. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 120a arranged to send a signal to said means 120 representing door operation data for operating the doors, i.e. opening or closing the doors, of all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy. The means 120 for synchronously operating the doors for all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy is then arranged to synchronously open or close all vehicle doors of the vehicle convoy.

The electronic control unit 100 is signal connected to the means 130 for detecting control of the leading vehicle unit via a link 130a. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 130a arranged to receive a signal from said means 130 representing control data controlling the leading vehicle including drive data, brake data, gear change data.

The electronic control unit 100 is signal connected to the means 140 for communicating said detected control to the rest of the vehicle units of the vehicle convoy via a link 140a. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 140a arranged to send a signal to said means 140 representing control data controlling the leading vehicle including drive data, brake data, gear change data wherein the means 140 is arranged to communicate said data to the other vehicle units of the vehicle convoy. 10 15 20 25 15 The electronic control unit 100 is arranged to process said data for door operation criteria for determining whether criteria for allowing operation of doors are fulfilled.

The electronic control unit 100 is arranged to process said vehicle speed data for vehicle speed of all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy, said position data for position of each vehicle unit of the vehicle convoy, said brake activation data for activated brake function of all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy, said operation function data for working operation function of the doors of all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy, and/or clearance data for clearance of the doors of all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy for determining whether criteria for allowing operation of doors are fulfilled.

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a block diagram of a method for operating doors of a vehicle convoy for passenger transport along a predetermined route. The vehicle convoy comprises at least two mutually separated vehicle units, one of the vehicle units being a leading vehicle unit, said vehicle units being mutually wirelessly interconnected.

According to the embodiment the method for operating doors of a vehicle convoy for passenger transport comprises a first step S1. ln this step it is determined whether criteria for allowing operation of doors are fulfilled.

According to the embodiment the method for operating doors of a vehicle convoy for passenger transport comprises a second step S2. ln this step, when said criteria for allowing operation of doors of all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy are fulfilled, the doors for all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy are synchronously operated.

The synchronous operation of doors comprises synchronous opening of doors and synchronous closing of doors.

With reference to figure 5, a diagram of an apparatus 500 is shown. The control unit 100 described with reference to fig. 3 may according to an 10 15 20 25 30 16 embodiment comprise apparatus 500. Apparatus 500 comprises a non- volatile memory 520, a data processing device 510 and a read/write memory 550. Non-volatile memory 520 has a first memory portion 530 wherein a computer program, such as an operating system, is stored for controlling the function of apparatus 500. Further, apparatus 500 comprises a bus controller, a seriai communication port, I/O-means, an A/D-converter, a time date entry and transmission unit, an event counter and an interrupt controller (not shown). Non-volatile memory 520 also has a second memory portion 540.

A computer program P is provided comprising for operating doors of a vehicle convoy for passenger transport along a predetermined route according to an embodiment of the present invention according to the innovative method. The vehicle convoy comprises at least two mutually separated vehicle units, one of the vehicle units being a leading vehicle unit, said vehicle units being mutually wirelessly interconnected. The program P comprises routines for determining whether criteria for allowing operation of doors are fulfilled. The program P comprises routines for, when said criteria for allowing operation of doors of all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy are fulfilled, synchronously operate the doors for all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy. The computer program P may be stored in an executable manner or in a compressed condition in a separate memory 560 and/or in read/write memory 550.

When it is stated that data processing device 510 performs a certain function it should be understood that data processing device 510 performs a certain part of the program which is stored in separate memory 560, or a certain part of the program which is stored in read/write memory 550.

Data processing device 510 may communicate with a data communications port 599 by means of a data bus 515. Non-volatile memory 520 is adapted for communication with data processing device 510 via a data bus 512.

Separate memory 560 is adapted for communication with data processing device 510 via a data bus 511. Read/write memory 550 is adapted for 10 15 20 25 17 communication with data processing device 510 via a data bus 514. To the data communications port 599 e.g. the links connected to the control units 100; 200; 300 may be connected.

When data is received on data port 599 it is temporarily stored in second memory portion 540. When the received input data has been temporarily stored, data processing device 510 is set up to perform execution of code in a manner described above. The signals received on data port 599 can be used by apparatus 500 for determining whether criteria for allowing operation of doors are fulfilled. The signals received on data port 599 can be used by apparatus 500 for, when said criteria for allowing operation of doors of all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy are fulfilled, synchronously operate the doors for all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy.

Parts of the methods described herein can be performed by apparatus 500 by means of data processing device 510 running the program stored in separate memory 560 or read/write memory 550. When apparatus 500 runs the program, parts of the methods described herein are executed.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. lt is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

10 15 20 25 18 CLA|I\/IS

1. A method for Operating doors of a vehicle convoy (1A; 1B) for passenger transport along a predetermined route (R), wherein the vehicle convoy (1A; 1B) comprises at least two mutually separated vehicle units (2, 3; 2, 3, 4), one of the vehicle units being a leading vehicle unit (2), said vehicle units being mutually wirelessly interconnected, characterized by the steps of: - determining (S1) whether criteria for allowing operation of doors are fulfilled; and, - when said criteria for allowing operation of doors of all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy are fulfilled, synchronously operate (S2) the doors for all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said vehicle units (2, 3; 2, 3, 4) are constituted by buses.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein control of the leading vehicle unit (2) is detected and communicated to the rest of the vehicle units (3; 3, 4) of the vehicle convoy (1A; 1B).

4. A method according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the vehicle convoy (1A; 1B) is controlled by a driver.

5. A method according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the vehicle convoy (1A; 1B) is autonomously controlled.

6. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said synchronous operation of doors comprises synchronous opening of doors and synchronous closing of doors.

7. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said criteria comprises: stand still of all vehicle units (2, 3; 2, 3, 4) of the vehicle convoy, all vehicle units (2, 3, 4) of the vehicle convoy being on a dedicated position (P1, P2, P3), all vehicle units (2, 3; 2, 3, 4) of the vehicle convoy having any 10 15 20 25 19 kind of brake function activated, all vehicle units (2, 3; 2, 3, 4) of the vehicle convoy having a working operation function, and, in connection to closing of doors, all vehicle units (2, 3; 2, 3, 4) of the vehicle convoy having requisite clearance of the doors; and wherein operation is allowed when one or more of the criteria are fulfilled.

8. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the step of determining whether the criteria are fulfilled comprises the step of detecting applicable vehicle functions by means of applicable sensors of vehicle units (2, 3; 2, 3, 4) of the vehicle convoy, and communicating the result of the detection within the vehicle convoy.

9. A system for operating doors (2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b, 4c) of a vehicle convoy (1A, 1B) for passenger transport along a predetermined route (R), wherein the vehicle convoy (1A, 1B) comprises at least two mutually separated vehicle units (2, 3; 2, 3, 4), one of the vehicle units being a leading vehicle unit (2), said vehicle units being mutually wirelessly interconnected, characterized by means (110) for determining whether criteria for allowing operation of doors (2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b, 4c) are fulfilled; and means (120) for synchronously operating the doors for all vehicle units (2, 3; 2, 3, 4) of the vehicle convoy (1A, 1B) when said criteria for allowing operation of doors of all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy are fulfilled.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein said vehicle units (2, 3; 2, 3, 4) are constituted by buses.

11.A system according to claim 9 or 10, comprising means (130) for detecting control of the leading vehicle unit and means (140) for communicating said detected control to the rest of the vehicle units (2, 3; 2, 3, 4) of the vehicle convoy (1A, 1B).

12. A system according to any of claims 9-11, wherein the vehicle convoy (1A; 1B) is arranged to be controlled by a driver. 10 15 20 25 20

13. A system according to any of claims 9-11, wherein the vehicle convoy (1A; 1B) is arranged to be autonomously controlled.

14. A system according to any of claims 9-13, wherein said means (120) for synchronously operating the doors comprises means (122) for synchronous opening of doors and means (124) for synchronous closing of doors.

15. A system according to any of claims 9-14, wherein said criteria comprises: stand still of all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy (1A, 1B), all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy (1A, 1B) being on a dedicated position, all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy (1A, 1B) having any kind of brake function activated, all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy (1A, 1B) having a working operation function, and, in connection to closing of doors, all vehicle units of the vehicle convoy (1A, 1B) having requisite clearance of the doors; and wherein operation is allowed when one or more of the criteria are fulfilled.

16.A system according to any of claims 9-15, wherein said means for determining whether the criteria are fulfilled comprises means (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) for detecting applicable vehicle functions by means of applicable sensors of vehicle units of the vehicle convoy (1A, 1B), and means (116) for communicating the result of the detection within the vehicle convoy.

17. A vehicle convoy comprising a system (l) according to any of claims 9-16.

18.A computer program (P) for operating doors of a vehicle convoy for passenger transport along a predetermined route, said computer program (P) comprising program code which, when run on an electronic control unit (100) or another computer (500) connected to the electronic control unit (100), causes the electronic control unit to perform the steps according to claim 1-8.

19. A computer program product comprising a digital storage medium storing the computer program according to claim 18.