MOBILE DATA
Passing on the knowledge T
he idea of using mobile data to increase efficiency within the
rail industry has been around for many years and is now transforming the passenger experience as well.
The new availability of devices such as smart phones has allowed people to gain access to data which means they are better informed than ever about their travel options.
Creating applications for smart phones has quickly become big business and there is now a wide variety available, from route planners to applications informing passengers of the location of the nearest tube station.
The development of these applications has been further fuelled by a willingness from within the rail industry to release data which can be used for this purpose, the theory being that a more informed passenger is a happier and more frequent passenger.
“We have developed our systems so that most of the data we publish on our website is now available for use by third parties,” says Derek Parlour, head of commercial at National
information, exactly as they would get from our website or from our call centres.
Derek Parlour
“ We had no idea it was going to boom as well as it did.”
Rail Enquires.
“When the information is sent through to us from various sources it is then processed into useable services, including journey planning and live departure and arrival information and is then available on our website. This information can also be used by companies to make applications for iPhones or Android applications.
“Our part in this is to provide data services and this means providing a constant stream of real-time information.
“Then when someone uses any of these applications their request for information is sent to our web services, which then provide the customer with up-to-date
“Obviously we want passengers to be able to receive the most up- to-date information and whilst we have extensive experience in providing that information through our website and call centres, the companies who are creating the applications have the knowledge of how to develop the best applications for getting information to passengers accessing the information through their mobile phones.”
Things certainly have taken off in terms of mobile phone applications designed for rail passengers, with the first applications to ever be created charting in the top ten grossing iPhone applications of 2009. So where do things go from here?
“I think things are just going to keep on developing, because we have been astonished by the response these application got. We had no idea it was going to boom as well as it did. This success has also encouraged other people to consider moving into making rail-based applications.
“We have a list of people who are talking to us and going
The use of mobile data and devices - such as smart phones - is revolutionising the way passengers use the rail network, reports Richard Mackillican
through the approval process for licences, which enable them to have access to our systems for Ovi, Windows Mobile, Android and iPhone applications.
“In a year’s time we expect to see a number of different applications using our data on each of the different platforms.”
Given the sophistication of the applications already available, it is fair to say this trend is likely to continue.
“I think the usability of applications is going to just keep on getting better. For example, it is not beyond the realms of possibility to imagine an application which uses the coordinates of a station to wake you up when you reach your connection or final destination, should you happen to drop off during the journey. For some passengers that would be a great help.
“There are so many possibilities for innovations. We have a whole host of data systems, including alerts and live running information, and if that is tied in with third party innovation, there is no end to the possibilities.
“Using GPS you can tell where the phone is, where the nearest station is and where the train the passenger wants is currently located - this data just has to be brought together effectively.
“Just using that example of bringing together three co- ordinates, you could create an application which can alert other people as to your whereabouts.
“By using our real time alerts, GPS can pinpoint where you are
34 | rail technology magazine Dec/Jan 11
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