PASSENGER INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Table of Contents About Luminator 3 Five key advantages of a passenger infotainment system 4 By Cliff Anderson
“INFOtransit�: The future of onboard communications 5 By Cliff Anderson
Passenger information is a network 6 By Cliff Anderson
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Luminator Technology Group covers a large scope of worldwide customers, providing technologies and products that connect people to vital travel information. Our customer base consists of bus, rail, and aerospace manufacturers and their end users. LTG’s global presence allows us to provide a broad range of expertise and knowledge to meet or exceed our customers’ specific configuration requirements, around the world. Our exponential growth and acquisition of key brands began in 2010 with the integration of Luminator, FOCON, and LAWO and continued with the addition of TwinVision products through the acquisition of DRI. LTG’s advancing growth reflects our promise to provide innovative solutions to meet the demands of the diverse global transportation industry.
Visit www.ltgglobal.com for more information!
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PASSENGER INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Five key advantages of a passenger infotainment system
General policies / Safety messaging Passenger safety and policy messaging can be periodically scrolled across the TFT screens, to the benefit of infrequent or new customers. Now transit agencies can efficiently advise all riders of behavior policies and recommendations on safety (“Hold onto rail”, “Stand behind the line”) eating/drinking, fighting, vulgar language, or other conduct, regardless of where they may be seated/standing.
By Cliff Anderson Mass transit passengers are busier and more technologically aware than ever. Their expectations for public transportation agencies to reliably and consistently get them where they need to be, when they need to be there, without hassle, continue to increase. To enable a smooth trip, a passenger infotainment system is a critical communication link for a transit agency and their riders. Passenger awareness in their journey A passenger infotainment system empowers the transit agency to provide passengers with real-time, accurate bus location, schedule updates, and key announcements. Bus route and destination data, arrival/departure time schedules, and service changes are just a few of the real-time information updates passengers need. With cloudbased programming content and wireless communication devices, the transit agency can keep riders abreast of almost anything impacting a rider’s trip.
Personal security of the passengers, driver, and property Public transport security for passengers and drivers, as well as on-board equipment, are ongoing priorities for transit agencies. This has led to increased human and video surveillance by transit police. By integrating onboard CCTV cameras with passenger infotainment system TFT displays, riders will know that any crime committed can be recorded. While this may not always prevent a crime from happening, it certainly notifies the violator that documented video evidence may lead to quick apprehension by law enforcement officials.
Paid advertising for the transit agency Passenger Information Systems are also a platform for creating new revenue streams for direct advertising. Vibrant high-definition TFT screens enable the advertising content (pictures, videos, graphics, text) to impressively promote local businesses, upcoming sports & entertainment events, current news, time/date, weather, and more! The content can be triggered on date, time, stop, or location to ensure that the content is displayed precisely at the targeted moment.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires transportation vehicles to be accessible by individuals with disabilities such as blindness, hearing/ speech impairments, and other conditions. By utilizing a passenger infotainment system with “stop requested” visual and audio announcements, transit agencies can comply with these requirements and create a better experience for all riders. All riders get clear and accurate announcements to help them comfortably get to where they are going.
So, as you can see, a passenger infotainment system is a robust, multi-faceted information communication tool. Keeping all passengers informed, safe, and entertained, while creating a return on equipment investment, is easily within the grasp of transit agencies. Cliff Anderson is marketing manager for Luminator Technology Group, a provider of mass transit destination signs, on board infotainment and passenger information systems. Visit www.luminatortechnologygroup.com/ 4
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“INFOtransit”: The future of onboard communications By Cliff Ander-
Travelers need current information communication Bus passengers need to know the current status of their trip information- when their bus will arrive at their stop/depot, what stops and connections are on their route, unexpected delays or emergencies due to traffic, weather, mechanical issues, accidents, etc. A passenger information system is no longer just a “nice thing to have”, but rather a critical customer service communication tool to instill confidence that passengers will get to where they need to be- reliably, safely, and ontime! Also, not every traveler is going to have a fully-charged mobile phone with the transit agency’s mobile app already discovered and downloaded before their trip begins. Printed timetable schedules can quickly become outdated or unreliable and nobody wants to stand around wondering if their bus arrived early, if it is late, or if it will come at all! The future’s technology today Today’s mass transit buses typically have a GPS tracker installed that enables the transit agency (TA) to see on an automated vehicle location “virtual map” exactly where each active vehicle (asset) is at on each route. Arrival prediction software algorithms account for traffic and weather variables to accurately predict when each bus will arrive. By feeding this information to Luminator’s INFOtransit onboard passenger information system (and fixed digital stationary signs) every traveler can be updated in real-time of their current trip information. If a service disruption occurs, the TA can send out a quick update to inform all passengers of the impact and available rescheduling alternatives. Much more than just passenger ‘infotainment’ By now you’ve likely heard that vibrant, high definition onboard infotainment screens can be very impressive visually and are a great revenue generating platform for advertising. Local business owners will pay to draw in traffic from nearby bus routes for lunch, shopping, sporting events, and other activities. Customized advertising content (pictures, video, graphics, text,…) can be easily created, edited, and uploaded then triggered for display based on time or location at the
As you can see, a passenger infotainment system is a robust, multi-faceted information communication tool. Keeping all passengers informed, safe, and entertained, while creating a return on equipment investment is easily within the grasp of transit agencies today and in the future.
precisely targeted moment (for example- just prior to the nearest stop to the advertiser’s business location). Public safety and policy messaging can also be displayed by the TA for the benefit of new riders. Announcements can also be made audibly for riders with vision impairment or other disabilities in compliance with US DOT ADA regulations. Text to speech data conversion enables the streamed content to be converted to almost any language needed. As shown in the diagram, onboard CCTV camera systems, rear view cameras, voice annunciation systems, and other onboard equipment can also be integrated with the passenger infotainment system. This provides a comprehensive network of services to ensure the safety of passengers, drivers, and property as well as real-time information updates and enhanced ridership experience. Wireless communication devices also enable system diagnostics reporting back to the TA for preventive maintenance and remote troubleshooting. Cliff Anderson is marketing manager for Luminator Technology Group, a provider of mass transit destination signs, on board infotainment and passenger information systems. Visit www.ltgglobal.com.
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PASSENGER INFORMATION NETWORK IS A
assenger information systems have become a key customer service tool for transit agencies to communicate efficiently and effectively with their riders. Of course, passengers expect to know when their bus will arrive/depart, the route it will travel, and which stops and connections are on the route. However, they will also want to know when delays or changes occur that may impact their trip due to accidents, traffic and weather delays, mechanical issues, or other unplanned events. If a service disruption occurs, the transit agency (TA) can send out a real-time update to inform passengers of the impact and what rescheduling alternatives are available that they can consider. Whether on a vehicle or waiting at a stop or station, customers want to be informed and feel confident that they will get to where they are going reliably, safely, and on-time. Passenger updates occur by integrating automated vehicle location software and other networked systems together to provide location awareness. Via wireless communication equipment, each bus receives RSS information such as news, weather, sports, traffic updates, and more. The information is then displayed on the onboard high definition TFT displays. New advertising revenue can also be generated by the transit agency. Local business owners want to draw traffic from the bus stops that are near them for lunch, shopping, sporting events, and other 6
By Cliff Anderson
activities. The advertising content (pictures, video, graphics, text) can be easily created and uploaded, then automatically displayed based on time or location at a precisely desirable moment. The ad can then be logged as well for proof of display by the transit agency. Public safety and policy announcements, as well as brand messaging, can also be displayed by the TA via a passenger information system. Announcements can be audible (and in multiple languages if desired) for riders with vision impairment or other disabilities in compliance with U.S. DOT ADA regulations. The security of passengers, drivers, and on-board equipment is an ongoing priority for transit agencies. By integrating onboard CCTV cameras with the passenger information system and displaying the video stream on the TFT displays, riders will immediately know that any crimes committed can be video recorded. Some CCTV systems can additionally integrate wirelessly with nearby police vehicles to assist with investigations or even events as they occur. As you can see, passenger information systems are becoming increasingly robust and critical information networks for transit agencies. These increased levels of integration are keeping passengers informed, safe, and aware, while also creating a return on equipment investment for transit agencies. Cliff Anderson is marketing manager for Luminator Technology Group, a provider of mass transit destination signs, on board infotainment and passenger information systems. Visit www.ltgglobal.com.
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