Skip to main content

SmartStation group reveal the importance of intelligent stops

A SmartStation research and design project has worked with PTV Group and Raumobil to develop ideas on how to turn analogue stops into digital hubs, in Karlsruhe. The scheme, commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, set out to reveal the importance of networked stations for multimodal mobility. The initiatives 18-month research phase identified that intelligent stops that include analogue facilities such as information terminals, escalators, elevators and lockers need to
March 13, 2018 Read time: 2 mins

A SmartStation research and design project has worked with %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external PTV Group PTV Group website link false https://www.ptvgroup.com/en/ false false%> and Raumobil to develop ideas on how to turn analogue stops into digital hubs, in Karlsruhe. The scheme, commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, set out to reveal the importance of networked stations for multimodal mobility.

The initiatives 18-month research phase identified that intelligent stops that include analogue facilities such as information terminals, escalators, elevators and lockers need to be turned into systems that can communicate.

Annette Kindl, project manager for PTV’s research team, said: “All relevant data will be integrated into the Smartstation network in real time via a standard protocol. Travellers can use an app to log into the so-called Infosphere, i.e. the immediate environment of a smartStation, in order to access the desired information and services. All modes of transport can thus be used intelligently and comfortably as well as energy-efficiently and cost-effectively.”

A smart station, according to Christian Reuter, project manager at PTV Transport Consult, integrates infrastructure and all kinds of services, which includes information on elevator problems or safe places for children to stay in the event of disruptions in local transport.

The group recognised that challenges surrounding different standards, platforms and digital services need to be interconnected and that stakeholders from different areas need to be involved in the process.

“Given the ongoing digitisation in the field of urban mobility, the smartStation is only the next logical step. In the course of the research project, we have made initial assessments and started the discourse on digitisation of stops/stations. Now it is time to continue the dialogue with all relevant stakeholders, to turn the idea into a conceptual design and to encourage the launch of pilot projects”, Kindl added.

Related Content

  • First European conference on sustainable urban mobility plans
    April 17, 2014
    The first European Conference on sustainable urban mobility plans (SUMPs), entitled Planning for a Liveable City, will be held in Sopot, Poland, on 12-13 June 2014. A sustainable urban mobility plan is a strategic plan designed to satisfy the mobility needs of people and businesses in cities and their surroundings for a better quality of life. The concept of sustainable urban mobility plans has gained considerable momentum in recent years. Many cities across Europe are currently working to integrate thi
  • Elon Musk unveils Los Angeles tunnel plan
    December 19, 2018
    Elon Musk, the boss of Tesla and SpaceX, has opened the first tunnel in a planned network under Los Angeles to help ease congestion in the US city. The world’s media was invited this week to travel in the mile-long tunnel – built by Musk’s Boring Company under the Hawthorne district - in an electric Tesla vehicle. The trip was described as “almost a white knuckle ride” by the BBC: “A bumpy two-minute journey in a modified Model X through a concrete tunnel with a blue neon light in the ceiling.” A C
  • Designers explore the future of transport and passenger experience
    May 1, 2013
    Industrial designers from around the world are meeting in London next month to explore the future of transport systems, how to improve the passenger journey from home to destination and how greater integration and connectivity can enhance the transport user experience. Paul Priestman, designer and co-founding director of international design consultancy Priestmangoode will lead the debate in the Wired Transport: Connected trains, planes and automobiles session at the Product Design and Innovation Conference
  • London comes first for public transport but suffers from congested roads, says Here Technologies
    November 30, 2018
    London has the best public transport system in the world - but the UK capital’s roads are among the most congested, says a new report. Here Technologies’ Urban Mobility Index ranked transit efficiency in 38 cities based on their public transport frequency, density and coverage as well as how public transport performs against car speed. Just behind London are Zurich, Toronto, Washington, DC and Stockholm. However, London was ranked 34th for congestion. The top five least-congested cities are: H