Automated advertising content for public transport
Location-based advertising on public transport, especially video or images for high-resolution screens, implies the transfer of large quantities of data to the vehicle. The project team developed a new system to carry this out automatically overnight while the train is in its depot. A wireless local-area network (W-LAN) was installed in the light-train depots in Karlsruhe, Germany where a city-wide optical network already exists. A server on the W-LAN then holds the advertising content and route information for the light-train system. A mobile antenna attached to the train begins downloading information from the server, via the W-LAN, as it approaches the depot at the end of the day. As soon as the vehicle is in range the transfer of the data begins and continues overnight if necessary. Two smart software agents manage the loading of information, by checking when the train enters the depot, and then scheduling the display of the advertising content during the following day. Thus the whole system of transferring the information and displaying location-based advertising according to schedule is automated.
