4 Transit Technologies to Improve the Passenger Experience
By Metro Magazine
https://www.metro-magazine.com/10146439/4-transit-technologies-to-improve-the-passenger-experience
The impact of the pandemic has created an urgent need to regain ridership. It compounded an already downward trend in ridership, as identified in a 2018 report published by American Public Transportation Association (APTA), and has created a challenge for transit agencies weathering the pandemic. But this challenge also presents a new opportunity: to rethink the passenger experience and the role of mass transit in promoting the health and well-being of our communities.
Prior to the pandemic, innovation in the transit technology space did not directly focus on public health issues or present solutions to marry public transit and public health. In the COVID era, this began to shift, with transit operators seeking more efficient ways to prevent the transmission of viruses in place of expensive, time-consuming, and sometimes damaging manual-disinfecting. A variety of technologies have been tested and piloted — including UV lamps, upgraded HVAC and air filtration systems, and manual foggers or handheld sprays — but few offer high enough rates of efficacy to inspire confidence by transit agencies, who continue to gauge the health needs of returning riders.
The new focus on health does not detract from transit’s previous focus of digital transformation. Rather, if done right, health and safety innovations can further enhance those digital technologies and make the entire passenger experience safer, healthier, and more accessible for riders as they navigate returning to work and school and adjust to future phases of pandemic response.
Rebuilding confidence
By implementing these innovative health technologies, transit agencies have the chance to rebuild confidence in public spaces and contribute to COVID mitigation efforts. These innovations can help both return ridership to pre-pandemic levels and improve the passenger experience in the future. Here are four examples of how technology can benefit passengers and improve ridership today:
1. Air Treatment: In 2020, air treatment systems emerged as potential replacements for expensive and time-consuming manual disinfecting procedures. Rather than spend time and money on staff and cleaning materials needed to routinely sanitize every surface inside a transit vehicle, transit agencies have been exploring how to combat the virus in the air before it can land on a surface or infect passengers. Many solutions have emerged, including those that use advanced HVAC systems, UV filters, and even foggers or sprayers, but the most effective solution has proven to be continuous antimicrobial air treatment, which quickly envelopes and inactivates 98% of virus particles in the air. As we continue to fight the COVID-19 virus, its variants and other viruses and gear up for the next flu season, continuous air treatment can provide much-needed protection for riders and provide a more virus-resilient method of transportation.
2. Accessible technology: The COVID-19 pandemic has raised awareness of the essential service that public transit provides and the community reliance on safe and accessible public transit. Transit agencies can leverage a variety of ADA-compliant transit technologies to improve the accessibility of transit stations and vehicles throughout the entire transit journey. ADA-compliant E-paper displays repurpose technology previously seen in e-readers and applies it to transit applications for bus stops and transit stations. The ultra-low-power LED screens minimize power usage while also maximizing accessibility for hearing-impaired and vision-impaired passengers. An optional solar-power addition allows for displays to be installed in remote areas, thereby expanding the rider information in rural locations without major infrastructure projects and capital expenses.
3. Infotainment and PSAs: On-board passenger information systems have been a critical communication path during the pandemic to provide passengers with up-to-date information about COVID protocols, safety guidelines, and route updates. By combining PSAs with more traditional travel information, the passenger experience has been transformed to better meet passenger needs during the pandemic and further support an enjoyable rider experience.
4. Video Surveillance: Existing technologies can be repurposed for new efforts to help promote a safe and enjoyable rider experience. With advanced software tools, video footage can be easily leveraged for ongoing training of operators. Video clips of incidents where riders do not follow safety protocols, for example, can be used to train operators on how to better enforce those guidelines and deescalate heated situations. Triggers can be monitored and reported for sudden stops, accidents, or avoidance of collisions. By identifying and capturing these events, agencies can continually and proactively improve safety. Some agencies have taken the technology transformation to another level, catching the good deeds of operators on camera to create advertising campaigns that promote the use and safety of public transit. These campaigns have gone viral in many instances and have promoted continued Good Samaritan-behaviors of operators while also improving employee retention and job satisfaction of operators.
As these examples show, both new and existing technologies can be used to help improve the passenger experience and increase safety during and after the pandemic. As riders return, some of them warily, to their usual commutes, transit agencies have an opportunity to leverage transit technology to create safer, healthier, accessible, and more future proof experiences for riders.
Werner Malcherek is chief technology officer for Luminator Technology Group.
Connectpoint
Connectpoint’s industry leading Digital Bus Stop® is an ePaper signage solution that provides riders with accessible real-time passenger information 24/7, at bus stops, rail platforms, and transit centers. The solar or A/C powered signage is available with 10-, 13-, 22-, 32-, and 42-inch displays. Combined with solar lighting and a text-to-speech button, Connectpoint offers a complete solution for any stop. Connecptoint’s content management system, CPAM®, allows agencies to manage the displays remotely 24/7.
LG
The LG LSCA Signage Series is designed for public installations with a viewing distance of 15 feet or more – such as displays that provide arrival/departure times, menu options, wayfinding, health protocols and more. It comes equipped with LG’s webOS Signage smart platform to provide smooth content playback and can be easily controlled using a TV-style remote. The model’s optional 90-degree corner design feature can also minimize discontinuity of content displayed around corners.
Peerless-AV
Peerless-AV’s SEAMLESS Kitted Series Mounting Systems are designed exclusively for leading direct view LED display manufacturers. These slim, space saving mounts come equipped with easy-hang hardware, a lightweight aluminum frame, and integrated cable management. The unique, modular designs allow for unlimited video wall display configurations, as well as height and depth adjustments. To ensure easy installation and high-quality customer support, Peerless-AV also offers start to finish support through the SEAMLESS dvLED Video Wall Integration Program.
Urban Solar
The PV Stop Max delivers security lighting and real-time bus arrival information to unsheltered bus stops. The result: enhanced safety at bus stops, reduced pass-bys, and increased choice ridership. Since the system is completely standalone, significant costs associated with trenching and cabling are eliminated. The PV Stop Max is ideal for northern locations with limited solar energy available during winter months and can power 13-inch and 23-inch e-paper real-time information signs and illuminate a large (~200 ft2) area surrounding a bus stop pole.
Safe Fleet
Safe Fleet Infotainment and Public Display Monitors enhance on-board safety and the passenger experience by:
1. Displaying video from security cameras inside the bus to discourage unwanted behavior.
2. Keeping passengers informed with updates relevant to them.
3. Presenting customers with advertising based on the route/bus line they are on. Agencies also gain an additional revenue generation source.
www.safefleet.net/infotainment
Sharp/NEC
ActiveScene™ transforms existing glass walls and windows to create dynamic, on-demand digital signage using Sharp/NEC projection technology and Avery Dennison’s Vela™ Dynamic System. ActiveScene is adaptable to any dimension, transforming transparent windows and walls into display screens to feature announcements or advertising in an unobtrusive way. Controlled electronically, the film becomes opaque upon command to create a dynamic canvas to project videos and messages, then returns to transparent when not in use.
www.sharpnecdisplays.us/activescene
Luminator Technology Group
Luminator Technology Group’s (Luminator) suite of technology covers the entire range of passenger information systems. Depending on your information needs and requirements you can create a custom solution using a variety of display technologies best suited for each location in your network. This can include a wide range of display sizes, resolutions, and formats. LED, LCD, and E-paper are available with a modular design that can be expanded with text-to-speech, speakers, lighting, and other features.