Periodic Reporting for period 2 - FAIR Stations (Future Secure and Accessible Rail Stations)
Berichtszeitraum: 2018-09-01 bis 2019-12-31
Increasingly, railway stations are becoming complex, with some being interchanges, also including commercial or shopping malls and social activities. Subsequently, they are affected by congestion, way-finding and security issues that are not experienced in more remote stations.
The FAIR Stations project aims to develop solutions for improved user flow within the station, and at the platform train interface (PTI). This has been done putting customer satisfaction, and security & safety at the centre of the station design, with special attention to PRMs.
The project conducted studies on the state of the art station designs, as a benchmark. Future stations design will hinge on three pillars: design for security & safety, design for congestion, and design for accessibility. Tools applied include:
- User needs assessment
- Crowd flow modelling
- Enabling technologies for crowd management and analysis
- Engineering design of a platform based system for the PTI to facilitate independent boarding and alighting of PRMs, integrated with advanced detection systems.
- Station design algorithm that optimises passenger flow for continuing and emerging operational design requirements ( e.g. security, baggage handling, and accessibility.
As part of the demonstration, experimental and virtual tests were conducted. Additionally, a 3D video animation was developed.
The FAIR Stations project aims to develop solutions for improved user flow within the station, and at the platform train interface (PTI). This has been done putting customer satisfaction, and security & safety at the centre of the station design, with special attention to PRMs.
The project conducted studies on the state of the art station designs, as a benchmark. Future stations design will hinge on three pillars: design for security & safety, design for congestion, and design for accessibility. Tools applied include:
- User needs assessment
- Crowd flow modelling
- Enabling technologies for crowd management and analysis
- Engineering design of a platform based system for the PTI to facilitate independent boarding and alighting of PRMs, integrated with advanced detection systems.
- Station design algorithm that optimises passenger flow for continuing and emerging operational design requirements ( e.g. security, baggage handling, and accessibility.
As part of the demonstration, experimental and virtual tests were conducted. Additionally, a 3D video animation was developed.
• Development of social dataset that includes passenger needs and expectations.
Primary data was collected through focus group discussions, questionnaires and observational trips. Analysis of the data resulted in well-defined users’ needs and expectations, including the general population and PRMs. TRL 1
• Benchmarking of state-of-the-art technology and information through identification of past research, and data related to passenger crowd flow, accessibility (for PRMs) and security risk assessment in high capacity stations.
Using desktop reviews, questionnaires, past EU projects and international data, with the help with expert inputs, the various kinds of rail stations were itemised. Different station categorisation methods were also analysed from which FAIR stations proposed a common system of categorising stations. TRL2.
• Development of crowd flow models for the general population, but also considering PRMs, baggage handling and security.
The project analysed the behaviour of station users, with a special focus on PRMs It developed agent-based models of crowd flows inside large railway stations, considering both the architecture of the infrastructure and the interface between users and assets: these were validated in real case through innovative enabling technologies for crowd management and analysis. TRL3/4.
• Development of an integrated (design) solution of a complex rail station, Platform Train Interface (PTI) interface and independent boarding system for improved crowd flow and security.
Three concepts for independent boarding were developed. One (Flexy2Ramp) was developed into a fully functional prototype, integrating also advanced detection technologies. TRL3/4.
• Evaluation of design concepts to obtain one with the highest impact based on the project’s identified Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
The economic and technical evaluation were successfully conducted. Experimental and virtual testing and validation of the prototypes were also successfully done. Bearing in mind the project KPIs, the functioning of the PTI boarding system was integrated between the platform and the train entrance. This work represents TRL2/3.
Primary data was collected through focus group discussions, questionnaires and observational trips. Analysis of the data resulted in well-defined users’ needs and expectations, including the general population and PRMs. TRL 1
• Benchmarking of state-of-the-art technology and information through identification of past research, and data related to passenger crowd flow, accessibility (for PRMs) and security risk assessment in high capacity stations.
Using desktop reviews, questionnaires, past EU projects and international data, with the help with expert inputs, the various kinds of rail stations were itemised. Different station categorisation methods were also analysed from which FAIR stations proposed a common system of categorising stations. TRL2.
• Development of crowd flow models for the general population, but also considering PRMs, baggage handling and security.
The project analysed the behaviour of station users, with a special focus on PRMs It developed agent-based models of crowd flows inside large railway stations, considering both the architecture of the infrastructure and the interface between users and assets: these were validated in real case through innovative enabling technologies for crowd management and analysis. TRL3/4.
• Development of an integrated (design) solution of a complex rail station, Platform Train Interface (PTI) interface and independent boarding system for improved crowd flow and security.
Three concepts for independent boarding were developed. One (Flexy2Ramp) was developed into a fully functional prototype, integrating also advanced detection technologies. TRL3/4.
• Evaluation of design concepts to obtain one with the highest impact based on the project’s identified Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
The economic and technical evaluation were successfully conducted. Experimental and virtual testing and validation of the prototypes were also successfully done. Bearing in mind the project KPIs, the functioning of the PTI boarding system was integrated between the platform and the train entrance. This work represents TRL2/3.
PROGRESS BEYOND THE STATE OF THE ART
1. Crowd flow management
FAIR Stations has gone beyond state of the art, exploiting technologies for crowd analysis, crowd modelling and simulation, aimed at designing new train station infrastructures with optimized crowd management:
• Validated crowd behaviour model based on sets of real-world observations and video analytics.
• Consideration of PRMs in station design, crowd modelling and management.
• Simulation of several operational and emergency scenarios.
• Consideration of emergency and evacuation scenarios including PRMs in station design.
• Cost-effective enabling technologies for crowd management and analysis within rail stations.
2. Platform-based solution for the PTI
• Platform-based solution, coupled with train access door system, to minimize passenger flow delays and safety risks experienced at the PTI.
• Combined with innovative detection and control technologies, for automated detection of train, door and safe positioning of the device.
• Fully automated 4-DoFs solution for independent easy boarding and disembarking of PRMs and passengers carrying luggage, for both existing infrastructures and new builds.
• Suitable for different types of platform heights, different train types (both short distance and long distance) and rails inclination.
3. Train Door Access
• Detailed identification of the needs of passengers, with a specific focus of PRMs.
• Detailed review of existing solutions for boarding of PRMs.
• Train door system designs to couple door access with the platform-based solution for the PTI.
• Compliant with the PRM TSI and suitable for train retrofitting.
EXPECTED RESULTS
The innovation leap will be optimised safer and more secure station users flow through the integrated system of the station infrastructure, PTI and vehicle door access. This also considers effects of incidents that require emergency evacuation, and needs of PRMs.
The main outputs are:
• A novel, fully automated, platform-based access solution for heavy rail, for independent usability, integrated with advanced detection and control technologies, providing independent boarding for the general public and PRMs.
• Innovative agent-based crowd models of users in large stations, under different scenarios, that incorporates PRMs and baggage handling, validated through high-tech enabling technologies for crowd management and analysis.
• Innovative train door design concepts, for both short distance and long distance trains, to be operating in a coordinated way with the platform-based system for the PTI, and compliant with the PRM TSI.
IMPACTS
The ultimate passenger experience and passenger flow are dependent on the way they interact independently with the way the train access and platform/station have been designed, and the crowd profile characteristics. These elements interact with each other and also either collectively or individually with the human factors associated with each passenger group.
Operational
Independent accessible boarding has the potential to save the train dwell time at a station increased by up to 400% when not available, thereby improving rail network capacity.
Customers
A secure, smooth and seamless passenger transportation system results in customer satisfaction, including the elderly population.
Economic
High-cost savings in multi-digit millions across the EU when applying the PRM TSI requirements, and contributing to the budgetary relief of the stakeholders having to cope with these requirements.
Sustainability
The success of this project would create the following benefits:
• Society: more users can travel by train, whatever their possible impairment.
• Economics: increase in the competitiveness of the rail transport sector, and the promotion of a shift to rail.
• Environment: increased use of the rail transport system will promote emissions reduction.
1. Crowd flow management
FAIR Stations has gone beyond state of the art, exploiting technologies for crowd analysis, crowd modelling and simulation, aimed at designing new train station infrastructures with optimized crowd management:
• Validated crowd behaviour model based on sets of real-world observations and video analytics.
• Consideration of PRMs in station design, crowd modelling and management.
• Simulation of several operational and emergency scenarios.
• Consideration of emergency and evacuation scenarios including PRMs in station design.
• Cost-effective enabling technologies for crowd management and analysis within rail stations.
2. Platform-based solution for the PTI
• Platform-based solution, coupled with train access door system, to minimize passenger flow delays and safety risks experienced at the PTI.
• Combined with innovative detection and control technologies, for automated detection of train, door and safe positioning of the device.
• Fully automated 4-DoFs solution for independent easy boarding and disembarking of PRMs and passengers carrying luggage, for both existing infrastructures and new builds.
• Suitable for different types of platform heights, different train types (both short distance and long distance) and rails inclination.
3. Train Door Access
• Detailed identification of the needs of passengers, with a specific focus of PRMs.
• Detailed review of existing solutions for boarding of PRMs.
• Train door system designs to couple door access with the platform-based solution for the PTI.
• Compliant with the PRM TSI and suitable for train retrofitting.
EXPECTED RESULTS
The innovation leap will be optimised safer and more secure station users flow through the integrated system of the station infrastructure, PTI and vehicle door access. This also considers effects of incidents that require emergency evacuation, and needs of PRMs.
The main outputs are:
• A novel, fully automated, platform-based access solution for heavy rail, for independent usability, integrated with advanced detection and control technologies, providing independent boarding for the general public and PRMs.
• Innovative agent-based crowd models of users in large stations, under different scenarios, that incorporates PRMs and baggage handling, validated through high-tech enabling technologies for crowd management and analysis.
• Innovative train door design concepts, for both short distance and long distance trains, to be operating in a coordinated way with the platform-based system for the PTI, and compliant with the PRM TSI.
IMPACTS
The ultimate passenger experience and passenger flow are dependent on the way they interact independently with the way the train access and platform/station have been designed, and the crowd profile characteristics. These elements interact with each other and also either collectively or individually with the human factors associated with each passenger group.
Operational
Independent accessible boarding has the potential to save the train dwell time at a station increased by up to 400% when not available, thereby improving rail network capacity.
Customers
A secure, smooth and seamless passenger transportation system results in customer satisfaction, including the elderly population.
Economic
High-cost savings in multi-digit millions across the EU when applying the PRM TSI requirements, and contributing to the budgetary relief of the stakeholders having to cope with these requirements.
Sustainability
The success of this project would create the following benefits:
• Society: more users can travel by train, whatever their possible impairment.
• Economics: increase in the competitiveness of the rail transport sector, and the promotion of a shift to rail.
• Environment: increased use of the rail transport system will promote emissions reduction.