The challenges rail travelers often experience include uncertainty about route schedules and the condition of the railways, fear of not knowing if they will safely arrive at their final destination, and sporadic Internet connectivity during their commutes. The new Cisco Connected Transportation Solutions offer a safer and more productive commuter experience and deliver on the value of the Internet of Everything.
Whether train passengers are arriving at the station or have reached their final destination, they can connect their mobile devices to a single Wi-Fi network – rather than switching networks – when moving from the station into the train or along the journey. Passengers have the speed and reliability of a Wi-Fi connection without relying on the coverage or speed of cellular data networks that can be slow or result in spotty coverage on many commuter journeys.
Cisco's holistic approach to connected rail allows commuters to track scheduled train arrival and departure times, access alerts on delays, and share real-time travel updates with others over mobile devices. Commuters can also access train information through interactive signs on the station platforms that are fed real-time information coming directly from the movement of passengers and the status of the infrastructure around them. This is a new platform for powerful analytics that can be used to deliver new passenger services, improve the traffic conditions, and provide a safer environment to the users.
Safety was the top priority when developing this solution. The U.S. Federal Railroad Association (FRA) reports that human error accounts for almost two-thirds of all rail-related accidents. Cisco's positive train control (PTC) system can determine the train's location and speed, and augment the safety measures set by the train operator or engineer. If warnings are ignored or cannot be performed, PTC will automatically apply the brakes to slow down or stop the train.
