9 November Measuring Train Wagon Utilization in Rail Traffic November 9, 2017 By Gina Wurms travel and transportation |WiFi|, |server based|, |client based| 0 In the railway sector, a tracking system can be used to evaluate movement profiles and to forecast utilization. At a glance server-based solution: anonymized analysis of movement profiles capacity utilization forecasts client-based solution (smartphone app): real-time information about train capacity utilization routing to wagon with sufficient seat capacity Problem definition A railway company runs several hundred passenger trains. The operator uses expensive and inaccurate systems in order to forecast the utilization and make the correct number of trains and staff available. Travelers are often faced with the problem of getting into a crowded wagon and not knowing in which direction they may still be able to find free seats. Solution The movement profiles of all passengers who carry a smartphone are collected and evaluated anonymously. As soon as enough data has been collected, forecasts can be made. Many passengers, for example commuters, most of the time take the same route. Thus, very precise prognoses can be made. Through reference measurements, inaccuracies can be erased. Passengers can also benefit from the implementation of a tracking system. In an app, they can see in real time which wagons of the train have a low level of utilization and can head for a wagon with free seats. Technical implementation Each wagon is equipped with one infsoft Locator Node. The small hardware components are connected to the electrical grid and detect all devices which send out Wi-Fi signals (passengers' smartphones). The anonymous data is stored in a database and then can be interpreted and combined. Following infsoft’s “Smart Connected Locations” approach and using the possibilities of Big Data, as many data as possible is being enriched and combined. Thus, intelligent forecasts can be made. Attention should be paid to the restrictions regarding Wi-Fi tracking, which means that it is not always possible to clearly determine the number of devices in an area. The employees can access the data in a clear web interface and optimize the number of trains. People who are near the train but not inside, can be filtered out applying certain logics. Taking the GPS signal into account, it is also possible to determine how many people got on and off the train at certain train stations. The collected utilization data can also be processed in an app for passengers. The position of the user can be determined via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons installed at the station or the BLE sensors of the infsoft Locator Nodes. The passenger receives real-time information on the utilization of the incoming train, indicating which wagons are the least frequented and on which track section he has to board the train in order to find a free seat. Use Case PDF for Download Get the white paper for free Great introduction to the topic of indoor positioning Download Related Articles Railway Train Tracking System This use case by infsoft describes a train localization system which can be used to better control rail traffic. Read More Positioning of Wagons in a Maintenance Facility A railway company has a large workshop hall, where wagons are parked on tracks in order to repair them. Indoor positioning technology helps tracking them. Read More Management of Tugger Trains in Industrial Production Punctual production supply in production industries can be facilitated by tracking tugger trains and applying a machine learning system. Read More Traffic Flow Analysis in Cities In large cities and tourist regions, like the ones in the Middle East, potential for optimization in a variety of fields can be found and exploited by conducting a traffic flow analysis. Read More Utilization Analysis of Car Lifts This use case by infsoft describes the implementation of a tracking system in a car repair shop, ensuring the best possible utilization of workstations. Read More Utilization Analysis in an Automotive Paint Shop In an automotive paint shop, an indoor positioning system contributes to optimizing the utilization of spraying rooms and saving energy costs. Read More Comments are closed.