Reconnected Mobility

COVID-19 has been a shock to all of us, wherever we live, whatever we do for work or in our spare time and however we travel. We’ve learnt to cope with not travelling, with many of us working from home, and with a loss of freedom that we have taken for granted. I believe that we have a real opportunity to build on that experience as the world returns to something like normal, and that we must work together to take this opportunity to live in a cleaner, more sustainable, more pleasant environment.

William Wilson’s excellent LinkedIn article “COVID-19, travel confidence and cleaner air” introduced four ‘C’s that are essential to build #passenger confidence to travel again on public transport. Those are COMMUNICATION, informing passengers and #railway staff about safety measures and the travel situation; CHOICE of travel options to ensure that passengers can make their own decisions about how and when to travel; CONTROL to ensure that people can move safely and without crowding whatever their chosen mode of transport and finally CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, the collection of real-time feedback to improve the situation.

In my role as UK Managing Director Rail Infrastructure @SiemensMobility I am continually surprised, excited and inspired when I see how so many elements of my team’s work can deliver change, even in challenging times like these. Rail Infrastructure brings together the former Rail Automation and Rail Electrification parts of Siemens Mobility to combine our skills, experience and product portfolios in signalling and train control, electrification, control centre technology, communication and information systems, mobile and fixed telecommunications and our new capability in intermodal solutions. This means that we can work with industry partners to allow railways to operate predictably, economically and sustainably. We have a part to play in ensuring that the ‘new normal’ is based around the public being confident to make the decision to travel by public transport, and particularly rail, rather than getting back in their cars as they return to work. We simply can’t miss this opportunity to improve the world we live in.

Let’s consider a journey and think about how technology really offers a way to get people to permanently change their travel choices for an improved #environment and quality of life.

Before departure – planning

Even before the world changed at the beginning of 2020, technology such as that from Siemens company HaCon had enabled app-based systems to be rolled out by transport authorities and train operating companies around the world. These make information about journey choices, costs and timing available to anyone with a smartphone – with the device itself carrying your digital ticket. In a world where we now have to consider #socialdistancing, using this technology ensures passengers are kept constantly up to date with real-time travel information and government messages or advice and if necessary, offered alternative modes of transport to complete their journey.

At the station

Using #digitalticketing to ensure that passengers only travel where capacity allows should reduce crowding at station concourses. Providing information through passenger information signs, public address systems and directly into the app allows station operators to best manage the flow of passengers as they make their way through one-way systems and social distancing controls. Using digital ticketing has the bonus that passengers no longer need to carry a ticket or touch fare gates as they pass through the system. The app can even guide passengers through the station to their platform, particularly important if station flow control has been adopted. Passenger comfort and safety can also be monitored through the Siemens Mobility Digital Station Manager. This technology allows everything from the movement of air controlled by ventilation systems, through to the monitoring of platform occupation, to be achieved from a single, integrated workstation. Arriving at the platform passengers are informed where they need to stand in order to join the correct carriage on the train, avoiding crowding near doorways, with the added benefit of reducing dwell times.

On the train

On the train, passengers are able to take their seats following guidelines indicated by the app, with appropriate social distancing and loading restrictions being maintained. As the train makes its journey the app relays updates to the passengers, and on-board information systems can make use of the mobile communication systems installed on each unit to control signs and announcements. By using modern digital signalling systems, failures are predicted and prevented before trains are affected, and by using traffic control techniques the entire network can be operated in such a way that any operational issues have a minimised impact on the overall service.

Arrival

Upon arrival at the destination, the app will guide you from your seat to the exit, or to your next mode of transport, where the same functionality of seat booking, load monitoring and information provision can be made. Modern, account-based digital ticketing using GPS and Bluetooth technology as seen in other European countries means that, if appropriate, the journey is only charged for on completion so that the charge is accurate. Of course, the app will also seek customer feedback on the journey and allows key data to be collected so that operators can gauge passenger confidence, cleanliness, levels of crowding, choice provided – and how safe they felt.

Supporting the people that keep the network running

We must always remember that the smooth operation of any network depends on the dedicated staff that are a major part of the transport network. Getting accurate and timely information to them is another area where existing technologies offer a route to improvement. The same ‘back-office’ software that supports passenger apps is invaluable in keeping station staff and train crew up to date about loading levels, station status and any disruptions on the line.

Effective mobile communication systems are essential to maintain the flow of information, with digital channels such as connected driver advisory systems allowing the network to be managed optimally. Highly functional control centre systems such as digital conflict resolution can identify when disruption is likely to occur and to advise signallers how best to manage the timetable to minimise the impact. By sending information to the driver – or indeed automatic train operation system – these systems allow trains to be spaced in a way that ensures that disruption, and therefore crowding, is minimised, with travellers safely sitting on moving trains.

Different challenges, different needs

Persuading people to move away from more polluting means of transport is complicated by the different needs and challenges of those travelling – even when those needs are not impacted by the need to remain socially distant. It was hard enough for those with any disabilities to travel before COVID-19 struck, now it has got even harder. Getting a wheelchair on or off a busy suburban train can be a major challenge, moving around a crowded station can be extremely difficult for someone with limited vision, and for those with a range of cognitive disabilities, moving through restricted areas like railway stations can become completely impossible. The changes I’ve talked about, from the app through to smart stations and better information flows allows us to offer a solution here.

Matching supply to demand

Those are all demand-side issues, but we also have the opportunity to manage supply to meet that demand with Demand Responsive Transport (DRT). The Padam Mobility DRT concept is to vary the number of trains, buses, minibuses and other vehicles in service at various times of day to meet demand whilst managing the volume of passengers.

Since its launch in Paris in 2019, the Greater Paris DRT service, provided by Padam, has managed nearly 60,000 DRT journeys per month, using 100 vehicles spread over 33 networks (growing to 40 by the end of 2020), managed by six different transport operators in a region with a population in excess of 12 million. So far more than 30,000 users have downloaded the app, with service statistics recording a 97% punctuality rate. In Strasbourg, the local transport provider has worked with Padam to meet the needs of hospital staff by extending service time slots and serving essential locations. Responding to social distancing measures made through the app, service is managed taking into account the capacity of vehicles, allowing appropriate numbers of bookings to be made. Managing demand in this way is one of the most exciting concepts to optimise our use of energy and assets to meet societal demands.

What is the next step?

We are already working with infrastructure and train operators to make this an integrated reality, and we look forward to playing a leading role in this with the rest of the rail industry. Delivering safe, comfortable, affordable, cleaner and more sustainable travel is a mission we can all commit to and by bringing together functionality and data from a wide range of rail infrastructure solutions we have a unique opportunity to make this a reality.