Interoperable Geolocation Technology for Rail

Transport apps have already transformed the way we get from A to B and are now at the forefront of mobility solutions that create seamless itineraries that use our smartphones to optimise journeys for convenience. Solutions like ticketless travel, on-demand taxis, ride-sharing and door-to-door journey planning have eradicated much of the inconvenience of using public transport.

However, once a passenger boards a train, they are currently let down by apps that fail to provide reliable access to real-time data, including timetables, platform information, and status updates. All too often, passengers rely on digital signs and tannoy announcements to receive updates on their journeys. The problem is a failure to detect the train a smartphone user is on once they board.

Signalbox's geolocation technology for rail solves this problem. It allows apps to quickly identify the rail service a passenger is travelling on, providing access to personalised real-time information. Regardless of where customers have purchased their tickets, and without the need for a connection to onboard WiFi, Signalbox-enabled apps let passengers leverage the power of their smartphones to access location data and real-time updates.

Personalised tracking can be shared with family and friends, making it possible for rail passengers to coordinate station pickups and onward travel in a visual and engaging way. The technology can also be used to carry out in-journey route planning, mitigating the impact of disruptions. For people who find it more difficult to travel, such as those who are blind and partially sighted, Signalbox enables timely in-journey notifications to assist with wayfinding, making the railway more accessible for all.

This project seeks to pave the way for global roll out of Signalbox. The focus will be on accessing data, developing partnerships, and forging relationships with organisations across the rail data ecosystem. We'll focus on scoping the market and understanding the technical and commercial challenges to creating an optimum product for this new market. Our broader objective is to take an initial step towards diversifying and adapting Signalbox's innovative technology for internationalisation.