Deutsche Bahn (DB) has started testing a new idea to improve the punctuality of suburban trains in Stuttgart. Chronic tardiness on Stuttgart’s S-Bahn network resulting in millions of euros in fines is one of the major reasons behind the development of the project.
The pilot project, named a “dynamic, illuminated guidance system”, will be tested for six months. The project concerns installing colourful flashing lights on a platform at Bad Cannstatt station on Stuttgart’s S-Bahn network.
Lights of varying colours on the floor of the platform now flash when trains arrive. These lit-up LED lights show passengers where arriving trains are meant to stop and where the train doors are going to open. This will encourage passengers to stand at the appropriate place on the platform so that boarding will be quicker and trains can depart on time.
Further features of the project include a colour scale of LED signals showing passengers how many seats are available in carriages. During the pilot phase the carriages of three trains will contain cameras which will capture the availability of vacant seats. This information will then be displayed in real time to passengers waiting on the platform.
Share on:
