Passenger information solutions, based on innovating technologies, are constantly developing to the benefit of passengers providing them with a relaxing journey and real time information. Onboard displays show relevant trip information such as travel speed, arrival time and transfer information. We are not onboard of a plane…but inside a train. Currently, passengers benefit from the same facilities as while travelling by plane.
Passengers can get real-time information on connections with other trains or with other means of transport, while enjoying the ride and information. This solution allows transport companies to provide more precise information for their passengers, improve the passenger flow and turn into account the advertising space by installing onboard displays.
Public transport operators rely on one commodity – the passenger and to serve this ever-increasing market, operators need to focus more on passenger information, especially for long-distance journeys. The 21st century with its economical high-tech computing platforms enable operators to break away from traditional static passenger information to deliver information in real-time to the audience. Therefore, a dedicated multimedia system that is easy to understand and integrate in the vehicle with real-time broadcasting to reach all displays simultaneously is not a dream, it is reality. Passenger information, entertainment and safety systems are vital in rail transport, as well as in other public transport systems. They answer to current changes that passenger transport and public transport environment are going through worldwide, such as low-cost technologies, improvement of services and increasing safety.
Before implementing new passenger information, entertainment and safety systems, the operator has to carefully assess the technical solutions to be implemented, the impact on the passengers’ satisfaction level and demands or the advertising potential, experts believe.
Over the last decade, passenger information systems evolved from simple audio and video displays, with no network connection to multimodal integrated systems providing information and entertainment for passengers during the journey, such as news, presentations using the latest technological solutions, advertising or web entertainment. All these systems provide real-time, fluent information onboard of vehicles and inside railway stations, while being managed and directed from a single control centre. Currently, innovating passenger information systems, especially inside high-speed trains, is the key element between transport operators and passengers. Next to the reliability of the rail transport system, safety and general aspect, the operators’ ability to provide correct and advanced information are the exact elements that the public needs to move efficiently and the key components that reach the customer’s satisfaction target.
Trains of the infotainment era
The latest solutions combine this type of information with entertainment, while presenting the latest news, weather forecasts, sports information, as well as financial news.
The infotainment system is capable to simultaneously receive and analyse the real time piece of information referring to rail connections, business news, while fluently integrating to the train onboard displays individually each train equipped with the GPS system.
Infotainment solutions are developed by major rail companies, such as Alstom which offers real-time information and entertainment via a system architecture that covers all rail transport environments: stations, railway infrastructure, trains, depots and control centres.
The Thales Passenger Information & Comfort Solution enables transport operators to deliver information to their passengers using various distribution means, the infotainment being delivered in station or onboard, co-sharing of displays with passenger information, or own displays, for the business sector providing scheduled and context live information, films, news or advertising materials.
Bombardier also develops reliable passenger information systems in trains or in rail public transport. The passenger information system includes voice communication, internal and external displays, internal infotainment systems and wayside to train communication for special
announcements.
by Elena Ilie
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