Joel Cummings, Head of Solution Engineering Railway at HUBER+SUHNER outlines the expectations for quality and consistent rail connectivity
Ubiquitous connectivity is not ‘nice-to-have’ – it’s a basic expectation of rail users around the world who expect to receive the same quality of Internet service on the move as they would when at home or work.
While operators continue to make improvements – the UK-based East Midlands Railway announced in September that they would be rolling out free Wi-Fi to 97 stations on their network for example – there are concerns that the industry isn’t keeping up with demand. A recent survey of rail industry professionals found that 72% of those surveyed were satisfied with the current Internet connectivity on trains, but 87% believe further investment is necessary.
Demand and supply
With the budgets they do have available, operators are using the latest technologies to improve passenger services within trains in several ways. For example, most operators now offer in-carriage passenger Wi-Fi, to enable commuters to use their personal devices, whether it’s for emails, social media, streaming or something else. A recent survey in Australia found that 94% of people now use a device while commuting, with 88% of these either watching, reading or listening to media throughout the journey.
Additionally, operators are also providing customers with the means to reserve seats digitally through websites or mobile applications. Once made, these reservations can be transmitted to the relevant service and display these on screens above the chosen seat, enhancing the customer experience by giving them greater choice over where they sit during their travels.
IoT technologies bring myriad benefits to services. Sensors are increasingly being used to improve the passenger experience by optimising passenger flow management. Typically placed above train doors, or placed under the flooring, these devices can track the number of passengers in each carriage, identifying passenger density in real-time and sharing this information with passengers awaiting the train at the next station. As a result, any potential overcrowding within carriages can be reduced. The same technology can also be used to manage passengers at stations.
Ethernet-based video surveillance systems also ensure a safer environment for passengers, operators and staff both at the station and on the train. High resolution cameras deployed in stations and within carriages are being used to identify security issues and transmit any concerning footage to control rooms or relevant authorities to ensure safer rail services. As any railway operator or system integrator will tell you, however, these applications are extremely bandwidth intensive.
Supporting operators through innovation
For these bandwidth-intensive applications, quick and adaptable connectivity is a must. This makes Internet Onboard System (IOS) optical fibre backbones and assemblies key elements of any modern network. These solutions can offer reliability, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness to operators.
Thankfully, new products are being launched by vendors to support businesses in these endeavours. In recent months, we have seen the launch of new Railway Ethernet Switches, designed specifically to connect all on-board Ethernet based devices for applications such as the passenger Wi-Fi, cellular and satellite uplinks, and passenger information systems. While not necessarily a ‘new’ product, these switches highlight the growing importance of Ethernet based IoT devices to rail services, with some vendors now offering up to 24 ports for connections.
These innovative new switches aim to satisfy market demands for simplification when it comes to connecting and integrating the latest applications and devices to the train’s backbone. To reduce the number of power-supplying devices required within carriages, the best-in-class switch solutions like RES10G now offer the option of increasing the overall Power over Ethernet (PoE) power budget, more than double the previous industry standard. This reduces the workload on the backbone and enables the efficient use of applications throughout the train.
Solutions in action
An example of how these FO backbones are being used on the trains to support modern services was seen at the recent 2024 Olympic Games. Held in Paris, France, more than 9.5 million spectators from across the globe attended the event, placing a significant strain on the public transport networks across the capital and beyond.
Not only was there an increase in footfall, but expectations regarding seamless passenger Wi-Fi and other services needed to be met. This led Alstom to carry out a revamp of transportation routes connecting Paris to the rest of mainland Europe, alongside a firm order of 115 new Avelia high-speed trains to be put in service.
The project was made up of two phases – the first part covered the development of detailed fibre optic assembly designs that would need to be compliant with Alstom’s specifications and the latest international standards. The second phase concerned itself with the mass production of assemblies to be implemented across the new fleet of trains. This also included the on-board fibre optic backbone for reliable connectivity, designed to accommodate a range of IoT devices and applications.
A number of key solutions were developed by HUBER+SUHNER for the project. The latest antennas from the SENCITY Rail portfolio were used to enhance performance and reliability of high-data-rate transmission for both in-carriage Wi-Fi and passenger information systems, while inter-vehicle jumper systems were developed to ensure communications would remain intact at high speeds and extreme conditions. These solutions, underpinned by the tailored FO backbone, meant Alstom were able to provide commuters with fast, reliable Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections throughout the duration of their journeys.
Operators are constantly on the look out for ways to enhance their passengers’ experiences. As such, there is no doubt we will see new devices, services, and applications added to trains in the future. If these businesses are to continue keeping their customers happy, innovations like the latest switches will continue to be vital. Luckily, it seems vendors across the world are up to the challenge.
Joel Cummings is a seasoned engineer with over 19 years of experience across high-tech industries. Holding the position of Head of Solution Engineering Railway at HUBER+SUHNER since 2021, Joel’s career began in the fast-paced world of Formula One, where he contributed to a team that won two world championships.
Author: Joel Cummings, Head of Solution Engineering Railway at HUBER+SUHNER
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