Rail replacement services create a particular passenger-information challenge. Vehicles, routes and operating requirements can change quickly, while equipment may need to move between different vehicles within a mixed fleet.
Our portable NextStop® solution has been developed to give operators a flexible way to provide visible and audible passenger information without requiring a permanent installation in every vehicle used.
In our latest video, Scott James provides a short demonstration of the portable passenger display and NextStop Driver App working together.
Watch the NextStop portable rail replacement kit overview
Connected Passenger Display and Driver App
The portable system demonstrated in the video combines a 14.6-inch passenger-information display, housed in a ruggedised aluminium enclosure, with the NextStop Driver App.
At the beginning of a journey, the driver selects the vehicle being operated and confirms that it is in position. The app then presents the relevant stop sequence and allows the driver to begin the trip.
A location check warns the driver if the vehicle does not appear to be close to the first stop, helping to reduce the risk of starting the wrong journey or activating it from the wrong location.
Once the journey begins, trip information is synchronised between the Driver App and the passenger display. As the vehicle progresses along the route, passengers receive visible information on the screen together with audible stop announcements.
Vehicle Tracking Included
Confirming that the vehicle is in position can also begin live vehicle tracking for the service.
Tracking information can be made available through connected passenger applications and the NextStop vehicle-tracking API, giving operators the opportunity to provide passengers and other systems with greater visibility of rail replacement services.
This is particularly useful where conventional rail information systems have limited visibility of the replacement vehicles operating on the road.
Designed for Flexible Operations
The portable configuration is intended for rail replacement operators, mixed fleets and other services where permanently installing equipment in every vehicle may not be practical.
Equipment can be transferred between compatible vehicles, allowing operators to deploy passenger-information technology where it is required. Depending on the chosen configuration, the wider portable solution can include:
A portable passenger-information display
The NextStop Driver App and driver device
Visible next-stop and service information
Audible announcements through a portable speaker
Portable hearing-loop equipment
Live vehicle tracking
Cloud-based route and service management
The system can therefore be supplied as a focused passenger-information deployment or connected with other NextStop services as operational requirements develop.
Supporting Accessible Passenger Information
The NextStop portable solution has been developed to help operators provide clearer and more accessible information to passengers, including during rail replacement operations.
As with any accessible information deployment, the final equipment specification, positioning, configuration and operating process must be appropriate for the vehicles and services on which it will be used.
Our team supports operators through the complete process, including equipment selection, route configuration, vehicle assessment, onboarding and driver training.
Talk to Us About Rail Replacement Services
If you operate rail replacement services and need a portable passenger-information system that can work across a mixed or changing fleet, we would be pleased to discuss your requirements.
More information is available on our NextStop passenger-information page, or you can contact Rise Digital Media to arrange a demonstration.
