Taking public transport to the next level of intermodality

INIT presents rail operations solutions at InnoTrans

INIT's MOBILE-ITCS monitors coupling events, immediately compares whether the new train set corresponds to the schedule and subsequently locates each train section. (© AVG). 

Karlsruhe, 14 September 2022

INIT, the world's leading provider of integrated IT solutions for public transport, will present the enhancement of its integrated planning, dispatch, telematics, and ticketing system, MOBILE at booth 440 in hall 2.1 at InnoTrans from September 20 to 23, 2022 at Messe Berlin. Within its “Rail-INITiative” INIT is expanding the intermodality of its operations control system, MOBILE-ITCS, by adding rail specific functionality and offering a rail capable on-board computer.

As a result, INIT supports public transport providers in managing all their rail vehicles in the Intermodal Transport Control System (ITCS), even when they are not operated in tram mode. This allows to provide passenger information on the typical high quality level an ITCS is able to deliver even for rail-specific operational modes, which until now could not be handled in an ITCS.

Next Level: Portion working

Therefore MOBILE-ITCS rail, first and foremost ensures that vehicle positioning and schedule adherence calculations are carried out with the same accuracy as for any non-rail specific situation – fulfilling the mandatory prerequisite for high-performance real-time passenger information (RTPI).

This is why MOBILE-ITCS can now also deliver precise location information in portion working mode. This method of combining and splitting trains during passenger service allows the deployment of vehicles as train sets. This means they only need one of the finite paths for multiple vehicles while offering the required passenger capacity but can be split again at a specified point on the route in order to serve different final destinations. To gain the required train part specific location information, INIT first extended its data model in accordance with the TransModel and railML standards using train numbers, compound trains and train compositions. As a result, MOBILE-ITCS can now calculate the location of each train part separately.

MOBILE-ITCS also monitors coupling events. It recalculates the passenger information if the coupling fails and alerts dispatchers who can now react immediately using new dispatching measures. They can also redeploy staff and vehicles so that the impact on transport services is kept to a minimum.

Next Level: Operations control in ITCS despite path-way control

As well as portion working, INIT’s MOBILE-ITCS fulfills the requirements of the tunnel operation mode. Therefore, it is now capable to monitor operations in pathway-controlled routes as well. As a result, dispatchers can make full use of their ITCS system, e.g. by executing dispatching measures to ensure smooth operations and delivering excellent RTPI that passengers are already used to in bus and tram operation.

Therefore, INIT has virtualized a tried and tested method of locating vehicles: MOBILE-ITCS compares the occupancy of the individual path-way sections transmitted by the interlocking system with virtual beacons set at critical points in the tunnel. In conjunction with logical positioning, the ITCS always knows whether the vehicle is still on its planned route.

A more even distribution of passengers in rail systems enables faster boarding. LED signals can encourage passengers to board the least crowded cars. (@SIUT)

Improved intermodality

The new MOBILE-ITCS rail functions are most beneficial for public transport providers who wish to manage passenger information and operations of all their vehicles – buses, trams and further rail-bound services – in just one fleet management system. This makes the dispatchers’ work far easier and passengers benefit from high-quality RTPI across all transport modes.

Next level: On-board equipment

Responding to the specific requirements of rail operators, INIT will also soon offer an on-board computer with corresponding communication gateway – both of which are certified according to EU-Norm 50155.

Next level: Passenger counting – occupancy prediction

Machine learning improves any kind of prediction – including the expected vehicle occupancy in MOBILEguide, INIT's innovative solution for occupancy information and passenger flow management. Using a patented process, INIT does not only take into account the current vehicle occupancy, but also the number of passengers that are expected to alight at particular stops. This provides reliable information in a way that was not possible with previous solutions. As a result, passengers who receive this information, e.g. via passenger information apps, can choose services that have the lowest expected occupancy levels.

In railway systems, the same information – accurate for each individual rail car – can be used to ensure better distribution of passengers. When passengers have information about which car will foreseeably offer the most available seats, they are more likely to stand on the part of the platform where this train section will stop. This can be indicated by LED-lights on the platform, facilitating faster boarding and alighting as well as a more even distribution of passengers in the train.

Comprehensive information about INIT’s new rail specific offer will be available at INIT’s booth, in hall 2.1., booth 440.

Andrea Mohr-Braun

Head of Department Corporate Marketing
INIT worldwide
Phone: +49 721 6100 113
Fax: +49 721 6100 399

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