Taximeter
A taximeter or fare meter is a mechanical or electronic device
installed in taxicabs and auto rickshaws that calculates passenger
fares based on a combination of distance travelled and waiting
time. Its shortened form, "taxi", is also a metonym for the hired
cars that use them.[1][2]
North American taximeter
History
The modern taximeter was invented by German Friedrich Wilhelm
Gustav Bruhn in 1891,[3] and the Daimler Victoria—the world's
first meter-equipped (and gasoline-powered) taxicab—was built
by Gottlieb Daimler in 1897.[4]
Taximeters were originally mechanical and mounted outside the
cab, above the driver's side front wheel. Meters were soon
relocated inside the taxi, and in the 1980s electronic meters were
introduced.
Indonesian taximeter
k constant
Constant expressed in pulses per kilometre which represents the
number of pulses the taximeter must receive in order to correctly
indicate a distance traveled of one kilometre.[5]
Japanese taximeter
Functioning
Taximeters, when they are installed to the taxis, require adjustment
of k constant. During the movement, car generates signal which
transmitted to the taximeter. Number of signals transmitted per k
constant ratio results distance travelled. Within pre-installed tariff
values and travel data are multiplied and fare is calculated.
Accessories and features
Taximeters manufactured by ABU in
Taximeters can include several accessories, or act as components Sweden. Left to right: Swedish,
in larger dispatching/control systems. Features include: German, English.
Ticket/receipt printer.
Fraud control and prevention (on the part of the owner or
operator), through the impression of control tickets or
computer monitoring. Additionally, taximeters are often
visually sealed by a municipal weights and scales
authority after initial calibration.
Radio communication, allowing trip status to be monitored Argentine Taxímeter "Digitax
by a dispatcher or supervisor. Printer" in "Libre" (Available) mode
Dispatching of trip assignments through radio or data
systems.
Interaction with GPS systems to assist with dispatching
and to provide security.
Seat sensors that detect the presence of a passenger (to
prevent a cab from carrying fares without activating the
taximeter).
Credit or prepaid card support.
Bluetooth support for communication with smartphones
or tablets.
USB support for setup, diagnostics, and connectivity to
the vehicle computer.
Work cycle
During normal operation, taximeters repeat cyclically through Mechanical autorickshaw meter in
several stages: India
Free (or For Hire in the UK): The taxicab is empty and
available for hire. The luminous sign, if present, is
switched on.
Occupied (or Hired): The taximeter enters in this stage
at the start of the trip and the "Free" sign is switched off.
In this stage the running fare and the present tariff are
displayed. Additional information that can be displayed in
this mode includes extras (e.g. credits for luggage),
present time, speed, etc.
To Pay (or Stopped in the UK): At the end of the trip, the
driver enters this stage to collect payment, make
change, and optionally print a receipt. The exterior roof Calibrating a taximeter, Seattle circa
light may also blink to alert potential passengers that the 1960s
taxi will soon be available.
See also
Taxicab
Ohmer fare register
Mobile data terminal
Odometer
Speedometer
Tachometer
References
1. "taximeter" (https://web.archive.org/web/20010712230952/http://www.bartleby.com/61/45/T0
064500.html). The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (Fourth ed.).
2000. Archived from the original (http://www.bartleby.com/61/45/T0064500.html) on 12 July
2001. Retrieved 22 April 2015 – via Bartleby.
2. Fierro, Alfred, Histoire et Dictionnaire de Paris (1996), Robert Laffont, page 1166, ISBN 2-
221-07862-4
3. McArdle, Megan (2012-05-01). "Why You Can't Get a Taxi" (https://www.theatlantic.com/ma
gazine/archive/2012/05/why-you-can-8217-t-get-a-taxi/8942/#). The Atlantic. Retrieved
2015-10-02.
4. English, Bob (23 November 2012). "Classic Cars: All hail the birth of the taxi in 1897" (http
s://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/reviews/classics/classic-cars-all-hail-the-birth-of-t
he-taxi-in-1897/article5606867/). The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
5. "OIML R21" (https://www.oiml.org/en/files/pdf_r/r021-e07.pdf) (PDF).
External links
Media related to Taximeters at Wikimedia Commons
The dictionary definition of taximeter at Wiktionary
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Taximeter&oldid=1265686732"
