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Passenger Information Display System for Victoria’s Regional Rail Network

Delivered 2015

Project Information

Client:

VicTrack

Location:

Victoria, Australia

Completed:

2015

Project Overview

VicTrack owns Victoria’s rail land, buildings and infrastructure. The state-owned organisation works to enhance the value of these assets and reinvest into the local public transport system. In 2015, 4Tel was engaged by VicTrack to help improve rail services on the state’s regional rail network, operated by V/Line.  

The team configured 4Tel’s Passenger Information Display System (4PIDS) for 33 V/Line stations on the Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and Gippsland lines. Timetable information is displayed in real-time on LCD screens installed across platforms and in waiting rooms, and at Public Announcement and Customer Help Points. 

Scope of Work

4PIDS software collects position information of trains and links it to the timetable service to update train and connecting coach schedules for customers. Layers of data are collected from multiple sources to maintain accuracy. 

Features of the 4PIDS solution include: 

  • Passenger Information Displays (Concourse, back office and waiting room)  
  • Automated Voice-over-IP verbal announcements to a Public Address (PA) system  
  • Customer Help Points  
  • Back-end web-portal for refinements to display and PA announcements  
  • A live data feed to mobile phone applications  
  • Train position data from GPS and signalling systems telemetry for real-time location data of services  
  • Software to calculate the variance of actual running data to the planned timetable for accurate service information. This includes delay, cancellation and termination information  
  • Live mapping data for geographical and schematic awareness

4PIDS software integrates with 4Trak, 4Tel’s in-browser, real-time tracking system that provides highly accurate location information using GPS and GNSS. First released in 2008, it is proven to support large transport networks and facilitate safer track access for maintenance staff and work crews. 

Outcomes & Achievements

4Tel now operates 374 PIDS across Victoria. The solution provides automated, accurate and real-time information about train times, service and platform changes, and incidents. 

The benefits of introducing 4PIDS include:   

  • Software is hardware agnostic enabling VicTrack to select its preferred PIDS hardware 
  • Improves the passenger experience  
  • Supports multi-mode passenger information by interconnecting with coach services  
  • Integrates the real-time running information of multiple transport services on a single display  
  • Easily custom-configured to fit the needs and requirements of each transport station 
  • Information is provided in audio and visual formats so is accessible for customers with hearing and visual impairments. 
  • Has a full-time 24/7 technical support team  
  • Assists in network operations through improved situational awareness  
  • Aids station staff with timely information

VicTrack nominated the project ‘Regional Passenger Information Display System for Public Transport’ in the Control Systems, Networks, Information Processing and Telecommunications category of the 2016 Engineers Australia (Victoria) Engineering Excellence Awards and received a High Commendation.  

Find out more about our Passenger Information Displays – 4Tel