SPANISH infrastructure manager Adif has announced what it says is the first trial in Europe of an intelligent station wayfinding system for passengers, based on a 5G+ mobile communications network and artificial intelligence (AI).
Developed in conjunction with NTT Data and network provider Orange, the wayfinding system will enable passengers to plan their route to the platform or another location within the station, avoiding busy areas and allowing time to use station facilities if required.
The interactive system provides directions in real time, alerting the passenger if there is insufficient time before train departure to make a stop on their way to the platform.
For the trial, a selected group of passengers will use what Adif describes as a user-friendly and accessible mobile phone app to plan their journeys to the platform and other locations including the ticket office, ticket vending machines (TVMs), customer service centre, and catering and retail facilities.
The wayfinding system can also direct passengers to emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers and defibrillators.
Passengers will be provided with train arrival and departure times as well as disruption alerts. The app will enable them to check how busy station facilities are and their opening times, and how long they can expect to wait to complete baggage x-ray before boarding high-speed services.
Adif says that further functionality could be developed, including to assist station staff with the management of commercial premises, better placement of station signage, better planning of station maintenance and prevention of unauthorised access.
The new Cloud-based system developed by NTT counts passenger numbers in real time, using 12 high-resolution cameras installed on the main concourse, on the platforms, and in the underground passageway and overbridge connecting the platforms.
Using AI, precise location is determined in conjunction with data provided by over 100 Bluetooth beacons installed on the station.
The private 5G+ network supplied by Orange enables images to be transmitted in real time. Adif says that the low latency – or transmission delay – of the 5G+ network and guaranteed bandwidth enables it to meet the very demanding requirements of the new system for the first time.
The new wayfinding system is being implemented under Adif’s Station Digital Transformation Plan, which it says will convert stations into the intelligent hubs of smart cities and enable it to manage station services more efficiently.
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