Passenger information
Interacting too regularly could be a source of customer dissatisfaction and could deter passengers from using information services.
Another significant challenge is to
provide real-time information from these collective systems that is more valuable and easier for passengers to interact with than the information they could access from an internet search on their mobile device. Alcatel-Lucent suggests incorporating a personalised information kiosk that offers the capability for one- to-one and on-demand conversation with a live travel expert as one way of overcoming this issue.
Post-trip passenger information has traditionally not been given much thought, but with the growing influence of social media, it is now more important than ever.
This solution is also ideal for managing check-in and validating tickets that use a 2D barcode, RFID or QR Code, as well as handling credit card or near-field communication-based payments. Coupons, profile-based promotions, and navigational guidance could also be distributed from the booth to a passenger’s smartphone. A further development that may be particularly attractive to tourists is passenger information systems that use a three- dimensional display and an avatar-like feature which provides constantly updated information and can act as a personal guide throughout the journey. When the journey is underway the flow of information does not have to stop. A service which is increasingly popular, particularly on long-distance journeys, is Video on Demand (VoD). However, this is set to be superseded by personalised VoD services which are deliverable to personal laptops and tablets, at-seat screens or new “magic screens” which will be capable of projecting images onto windows. In addition, with the introduction of LighthtRadio Wi-Fi Metro Cell, passengers will be able to watch the same programme on the train as they were at home even from the same point before they left. To maximise this potential, Alcatel- Lucent says it is necessary to incorporate fourth generation (4G) wireless broadband on the Long Term Evolution (LTE) platform.
46
LTE provides the higher dedicated bandwidth required to deliver a broad range of infotainment services. And while it is likely to be used initially for passenger information, this bandwidth capability as well as high reliability means that it is possible to host and prioritise safety-critical applications such as signalling on the same platform. The major advantage of LTE over WiFi, which can provide a higher bandwidth (the next generation 802.11ac platform will be able to offer 1.3Gbs,) is its capability to provide seamless handover between towers and antennas, which is critical when a train is operating at high speed. In addition with LTE operators can prioritise the bandwidth used by various services which is not possible on WiFi because it is structured to be an all or nothing platform.
Post-trip passenger information has traditionally not been given much thought, but with the growing influence of social media, it is now more important than ever.
Operators should endeavour to make the first contact at the end of the trip through an e-mail or SMS before the passenger has the opportunity to provide their own feedback via social media. A customer relationship management tool achieves this by offering an opportunity for immediate feedback in exchange for an incentive to engage with the operator.
Technology
There are two aspects to the technology required to effectively provide these services: infrastructure and application. The challenge here is to integrate both wire line and wireless technologies, while providing the bandwidth required to deliver enriched information in conjunction with critical communications that meet the service quality standards enforced by railway regulators. As a result passenger information becomes a complex technological issue that requires in-depth planning, smart investment and engagement from both providers and operators. When developing infrastructure technologies, developers must take into account end-to-end requirements which include security, safety, as well as bandwidth usage all while meeting the overall quality of service expected by passengers and operators. There are many commercial imperatives for operators to move from legacy infrastructure to the complete internet- protocol/multi protocol labelled
switching (IP/MPLS) backbone, which is required to support a higher bandwidth multi service network. We believe this IP/MPLS-based network is crucial to support 4G+ wireless technologies and cloud-based services with migration to a multi- service wireless backbone an essential part of the PIS solution for enhancing passenger experience.
In addition, passenger information applications must have multiple back-
end capabilities. These include: indoor and outdoor navigation so the application works seamlessly when a
passenger enters or exits a station location-based services (LBS) which include indoor and outdoor maps
showing points of interest the ability to function with any
device and operating system, and the ability for any wireless product or device to function with any wireless media platform (such as 802.11ac or LTE+) with backward compatibility. As technology advances and demand to access more and more services from tech-savvy passengers increases, suppliers and operators will both become responsible for bringing additional features into PIS. These can enhance critical scenarios such as station and lineside security, while aiding functions such as suspicious element tracking, behaviour analysis, and face recognition. Integration with PIS is required through advanced analytics and existing or upgraded CCTV systems. Extending these features will bring significant value to the operators and passengers while providing a dynamic and versatile passenger information system. Many of these passenger information solutions and applications work with different devices and operating systems. Unfortunately these variations are becoming a problem in themselves due to the significant deployment and maintenance cost associated with running numerous applications on discrete networks which are not optimised. As a result operators may find themselves in an uncontrollable situation despite trying to provide the best solution for their passengers. For this reason, we recommend
creating scalable infrastructure which provides sufficient bandwidth for current and future needs. It will also help to create a comprehensive and integrated passenger information system that is capable of keeping up with the technology evolution to provide continuous value to both operators and passengers. IRJ
IRJ April 2013
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56