The Future of Passenger Information Systems

Passenger information systems are increasingly becoming an essential element in the train system. They respond to the changes underway in the mass transit global environment, such as: government debt reduction, demands of the aging population, integration of disabled people in society, utilizing information technology to lowers costs, and to improve services. Passenger information and entertainment facilities in transit systems are today no longer considered optional or luxury features. Mass transit systems compete directly with other modes of transit (airlines, cars). With the growth in the Internet and supporting technologies, which deliver rapid real time information, consumers have come to expect a different level of service when they travel. The choices facing transit operators however are daunting, as issues such as cost, technology selection, deployment capability and obsolesce-mean that operators are confronted with important decisions to make. They cannot wait for technologies to fully mature before testing or implementing them in their transit system as they have in the past. Furthermore the financial models that support these systems are no longer solely dependent on government support; new economic models involving private / public cooperation are being considered to address some of these critical issues.