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[MUSIC PLAYING]
-NS is working on an innovative automatic passenger-counting
project that will dramatically improve
the knowledge of the occupancy of its trains.
Currently, NS only obtains occupancy information
via manual counting on-board the trains and ticket sales.
Therefore, in the area of travel information,
there's still a lot to be gained.
-[SPEAKING_FOREIGN_LANGUAGE]
-Internationally, there's already
some experience with counting systems,
such as the distinguished counting
system off the Swiss train company SBB, which,
with typical Swiss precision, has been measuring
the occupancy of its trains through the different cantons
of Switzerland for years.
The APC design is based on the same measuring principles
as SBB's, thus ensuring a high-quality system.
Like SBB, NS collects precise counting data.
But this project is unique, in that the occupancy information
is detailed at compartment level and is communicated real-time.
Several options for APC are being considered,
such as measuring the weight of the train, Wi-Fi usage,
electronic check-in data, or monitoring seats.
However, occupancy figures remain
an estimate with these options.
Therefore, NS eventually chose for sensors in their trains
that determine exactly the number of passengers
that pass by the sensors.
This technology separates passengers on the balconies
and in each compartment of the train.
Before the complete roll-out of the test,
cameras were installed in the proto-train
to check the accuracy of the sensors.
The APC test took place on the ijssel line,
from Roosendaal to Zwolle, where 11 trains were equipped
with over 270 counting sensors.
The test involved two user groups, a group of NS employees
and a group of 800 passengers, that both had access
to a specially designed NS app.
Boarding and alighting passengers
are counted, after which the occupancy of the train
is calculated at compartment level.
These real-time passenger numbers
are then wirelessly communicated via the OBIS system
of the train to the ground side and collected in a database.
Alongside other information, it forms a virtual representation
of the train.
The real-time passenger numbers combined
with travel information, such as these special entrances
for wheelchairs and bicycles, subsequently
feed the smartphone application, where the occupancy data
is graphically displayed in the user's personal travel advice.
During the test, ProRail and NS implemented
a second application at Den Bosch Station,
where occupancy information was coupled to an LED display
on the platform.
Through various colors, the display
indicates what the occupancy of the next train is.
The feedback passengers gave about the app during the test
is encouraging.
Additionally, the effectiveness of the LED display
was clearly shown by the movements
of people on the platform.
[SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE]
The smartphone app and the LED display
are only two applications of the new occupancy information.
When one takes into account the internal possibilities
of the information in matters such as the planning
of the time-table and disruption management,
the awarded APC design offers NS many chances
to increase customer service.
As a result, by an increased focus
on the occupancy of its trains, NS develops a broader vision
on the future of rail.