New system makes Metro train riding smarter

Writer: Han Ximin  | Editor: Holly Wang  | From:  | Updated: 2019-05-05

A demonstration of the Shenzhen Metro Inter-car Congestion Intelligent Display System on an LCD screen on the platform of Airport Station on Metro Line 11 in Bao’an. SD-Agencies

An intelligent system that can indicate the severity of compartment congestion on Metro trains has been piloted at Airport Station on Metro Line 11.

With two LCD screens installed on the platform rating congestion severity with colors and a number of cartoon figures, Metro riders can see which compartments in the arriving train have the least passengers.

The system, which is one of the projects by Intelligent Metro, automatically collects real-time data about a train’s location, weight and the passenger load in each of its compartments. It can guide passengers to choose the compartments with the least number of passengers, further improving the safe operation of Metro trains.

Congestion severity is indicated by the number of cartoon figures, generally three to five, and three colors: green, yellow and red. Five red cartoon figures means a compartment is severely crowded.

The data interface on the screens is bilingual and switches at 10-second intervals.

It will be promoted on other Metro lines.