Pandemic preparedness is the new keyword and a high priority for many industries, especially transit. With the help of advanced technology and strategic planning, it is likely that future transportation systems would be able to incorporate changes being made to public health policy subsequent to the outbreak of COVID-19.
While it was thought that pandemic-related fears would keep commuters weary of travel, a recent global survey reveals that a significant part of the population has already returned to public transport. Keeping public health the focal point, Technology-enabled systems can help enforce norms of social distancing, thereby staggering peak hour traffic. Traveling can get safer by optimizing train frequencies and better managing platform density. Digital transformations, specifically those involving a considerable amount of data processing and highly complex analytics, are considered to be vital in gaining public confidence amidst the domain of mass transit.
The growing urge for a safe commuting experience
The primary focus of rapid transit operators today is to develop a safe commuting experience by creating uncrowded surroundings.
If we look specifically at fare collection, the issuing process has undergone rapid change in the past decade. Options like smart cards have actively overtaken traditional ticketing in many of the world's major transport networks. As technology continues to permeate through our daily lives, it has become crucial to provide customers with next-gen ticketing systems at railway stations to ensure that travel is as seamless as can be.
The modern age ATVM is at the center of this new age experience, and is designed to be so intuitive that technophobic commuters are not scared to operate it.
Passenger and operator benefits
Combining technology with personal interaction is critical to provide an easy and enhanced experience to customers. With the help of automated and advanced ticketing systems, staff levels can be minimized at less busy stations, and a centralized ticketing hub can be created. The unique combination of resources and the unification of operating systems could bring significant advantages.
Touchless Travel Experience
As Railway stations continue to respond to new safety and security norms for travel, many are turning to touchless technology to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Biometric verification is at the heart of many of these new-age transformations.
Many railway stations are switching towards contactless modes of payment and booking to significantly reduce the need for passengers to interact with staff. These eTickets are the basis on which the entire system functions.
These eTickets ensure a complete contactless experience for the passengers while helping operators in managing the security and time-efficiency of passengers through the whole embarking and disembarking process.
Going contactless at railways with ATVMs
The Automatic Ticket Vending Machines deployed at Indian Railway stations have played a key role in reducing waiting lines at stations. ATVMs have made life easier, especially in a post COVID world. These smart card-based touch screen kiosks enable passengers to purchase and recharge their cards at their convenience.
In an effort to facilitate the move of commuters away from manned ticketing counters, one can now quickly recharge their smart cards at these terminals. This will further help in reducing crowds at booking centers-- something needed to boost commuter confidence in this post pandemic period.
The specialized solutions provided by Lipi Data to automate mass transit have made travel a smooth and hassle-free experience. Automatic Ticket Vending Machines form a vital part of any AFC system, ensuring smooth operations at any platform. Lipi's expertise in creating mission-critical, customer-facing terminals helps it meet transit operators' expectations in terms of speed and global standards.
Future Implications
The present-day situation demands considerable investments in technology-enabled systems to ensure that commuters continue to believe in mass transit systems. Though it is crucial to provide new services and enhance capabilities to improve ridership continually, operators need to base these decisions on data-driven analytics.
The initiatives to evolve the transportation system should focus on creating a safe travel experience and take passenger experience to new heights. Reduced commute-induced stress and fatigue, a better boost to mental wellbeing, and overall improved social wellbeing should be the new parameters of an enhanced commuter experience.