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Encyclopedia > Taximeter

A taximeter is a mechanical or electronic device installed in taxicabs, similar to an odometer, which calculates passenger fares based on a combination of distance travelled and waiting time. It is the shortened form of this word that gives the "taxi" its name. Taxicab, short forms taxi or cab, is a type of public transport for a single passenger, or small group of passengers, typically for a non-shared ride. ... A modern non-digital odometer A Smiths speedometer from the 1920s showing odometer and trip meter An odometer is a device used for indicating distance traveled by an automobile or other vehicle. ...

Contents

History

Taximeters existed in ancient Rome, where they employed a mechanism that used the turning of the cart's axle to release small balls.[citation needed] At the end of the trip, the passenger paid based on the number of released balls. The modern taximeter was invented by German Wilhelm Bruhn in 1891, and the Daimler Victoria—the world's first meter-equipped (and gasoline-powered) taxicab—was built by Gottlieb Daimler in 1897. Nickname: Motto: SPQR: Senatus Populusque Romanus Location of the city of Rome (yellow) within the Province of Rome (red) and region of Lazio (grey) Coordinates: Region Lazio Province Province of Rome Founded 21 April 753 BC Government  - Mayor Walter Veltroni Area  - City 1,285 km²  (580 sq mi)  - Urban 5... An axle is a central shaft for a rotating wheel or gear. ... Year 1891 (MDCCCXCI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Gottlieb Daimler Gottlieb Wilhelm Daimler (March 17, 1834 - March 6, 1900) was an engineer, industrial designer and industrialist, born in Schorndorf (Kingdom of Württemberg) what is now Germany. ... 1897 (MDCCCXCVII) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...


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, doing away with the once-familiar ticking sound of the meter's timing mechanism.


In some locations, taxicabs display a small illuminated sign indicating if they are free. In Argentina, this sign is called a "banderita" (little flag), a carryover term from the days of mechanical taximeters, in which a little flag was turned to wind up the mechanism. The flag would be hidden at the start of a trip and moved to the visible position at the end.


Accessories and Features

Taximeters can include several accessories, or act as components in larger dispatching/control systems. Features include:

  • 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 by a dispatcher or supervisor.
  • Dispatching of trip assignments through radio or data systems.
  • Interaction with GPS systems to assist with dispatching & 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

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is currently the only fully functional Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). ...

Work cycle

During normal operation, taximeters repeat cyclically through several stages:

Argentinian Taxímeter "Digitax Printer" in "Libre" (Available) mode
Argentinian Taxímeter "Digitax Printer" in "Libre" (Available) mode
  • Free (or For Hire in 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 extinguished. 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 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 light may also blink to alert potential passengers.

Image File history File links Taxímetro-Digitax_Printer_1. ... Image File history File links Taxímetro-Digitax_Printer_1. ... Taxicab, short forms taxi or cab, is a type of public transport for a single passenger, or small group of passengers, typically for a non-shared ride. ...

See also


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The taximeter is mounted in a suitable position, easily visible to the client, by means of high-quality self-adhesive 'Velcro' strips.
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The taximeter circuit board and components are well supported and enclosed in a robust powder-coated metal case.
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