Innovations

Passenger (re)distribution

Code

PT2.16

Title

Passenger (re)distribution

Case study/reference

Bosina et al (2015). Distribution of passengers on railway platforms. Conference Paper Swiss Transport Research Conference. Zürich: IVT, ETH Zürich.

Marlier, E. and Lentink, R. (2016). Interview with Ramon Lentink, Senior Research Leader at Netherlands Railways.

Marlier, E. and Bhatti, J. (2016). Interview with Jabran Bhatti, Televic Rail.

Laine, S. and Vuorela A. (2017). Presentation EMTA General meeting Finland. Helsinki.

Recommendations for the design

Electric counting systems (like infra-red and load weighing) have high implementation costs. To lower the implementation costs, it is necessary that new carriages are equipped with sensors that can measure the occupancy level. Implementing this after construction is very expensive and time-consuming.

In the Thameslink Programme, a project that wants to improve passenger experience and train services in Londen, passenger information systems are installed on the trains. On these displays, travelers can see how busy a carriage is. The displays in the trains are directed outwards, so passengers can see where they are and which carriage are full and which not.

Platform design interventions, like the positions of the exits/entrances, placement of seats and canopies and dividing a platform in different parts can improve passenger distribution significantly. This also counts for good and reliable information (through apps, crowdsourcing, train guards, etc.) for the passenger in trains and at platforms.

Recommendations for the implementation

The dynamic boarding information shown at the display on the platform and the INStApp were seen as very useful by the testpanel. Despite these good results, the NS decided not to roll-out the system nationwide because of high implementation costs. At this moment they are looking for cheaper alternatives to realise this, like crowdsourcing. One of the things being tested at the moment is to mark different 'stages' at the platform. This is still in an experimental phase (Marlier and Lentink 2016).

Other, cheaper methods to improve passenger distribution (like crowdsourcing and apps) can also be very valuable and easier to implement in other cities/countries.

It is important that users are also involved in the evaluation of a (new) passenger distribution system. They should be asked about their experience, in order to investigate whether this innovation contributes to a higher user satisfaction, so predictions can be made about attracting new customers.

Brief description

Research shows that even passenger distribution in trains and at platforms directly influences the station dwell time and the minimum sustainable headway between trains. By measuring the occupation of the different carriages in a train, PTOs can make a (real-time) estimation of the occupation level in a carriage. This information can be sent (through an app or graphical display) to passengers that are waiting at the next station(s). This allows people to stand at the right place on the platform (1st or 2nd class, in front or at the back) when the train arrives. Passengers can then move accordingly and will be better spread across the train. Passengers that have a seat and sit in a less crowded carriage are more likely to have an enjoyable journey and feel better about the service. This innovation can also be applied to other forms of Public Transport , such as in subways, tram, etc.

Full description

In general, passenger distribution/counting systems have two main advantages: increase passenger satisfaction and gather information on occupancy for PTO’s. The data gathered can help with timetable planning, disruption management and improve the distribution of rolling stock.

In 2013 the NS (Dutch National Railways) launched a new passenger counting system. Passengers were given real-time occupancy per compartment in a display and the NS got accurate information on how their trains were being used. The counting system used employed infra-red sensors above the doors. The real-time passenger numbers were communicated to a central database and sent to the passenger (Marlier and Lentink 2016). In the UK something similar is done by load weighing equipment in each carriage. Screens on the platform advise waiting passengers which carriage to board. (Alderson 2016; Marlier and Bhatti 2016).

There are other (cheaper) methods to spread passengers more, like platform design. Placement of seats, the position of platform exits/entrances and access to information on the whole platform are really important (Bosina et al 2015). Finally, crowdsourcing can influence passenger distribution too. In Finland and Belgium (Spitsgids), this is currently tested (Laine and Vuorela, 2017). Passengers can see how busy their train is on an app, users can send feedback if the information is (not) correct. This is a cheaper alternative for the more expensive electrical counting systems (Marlier and Bhatti 2016).

CIPTEC score

4.2