CONNECTIVITY SHAPES PEOPLE-CENTRIC TRANSPORT
Consumer demands are evolving as rapidly as transport technology. How is this affecting the relationship between people and networks?
New technologies are enabling more intuitive design that puts user experience at the heart of infrastructure and construction. As technology matures, users will reap further benefits of digital connectivity in their transport experiences.
“We’re looking at the system and saying, ‘We know where we'd like to get to. Can we come up with a migration path that gets us there with minimal impact to customers?’”
Andrew Simmons Chief Systems Engineer, Network Rail
This approach was put into practice in the design of TfL’s new Northern Line stations, which were created with customer experience and staff efficiencies in mind.
Listen to TfL’s Rakesh Gaur explaining how operator feedback was used to tweak the design of the Northern Line extension to deliver a seamless customer experience and optimise operations from the outset:
The application of intelligent and emerging technologies in the design of the new HS2 and Crossrail station at London’s Old Oak Common will make it one of the UK’s best-connected railway stations by 2026 and a ‘super hub’ of connectivity.
Drawing on a deep pool of data, including comprehensive analysis of train operations and pedestrian flow modelling AR specialists were able to create an immersive virtual model of the station’s design. Designers, alongside members of the public, were then invited to navigate this virtual environment; their emotional-response data to the environment and user experience was monitored by sensors built into headsets.
HS2’s Head of Digital Engineering, Sonia Zahiroddiny, is quick to highlight that, although this technology is becoming more common, its use is not yet widespread in the transport industry. Nevertheless, its remarkable potential is evident.
“A lot of these technologies are used to simulate how passengers might be impacted, based on the data we collect as they find their way through a station—or they’re using neuroimaging methods to assess objectively people’s experience of the built environment,” says Zahiroddiny. “It is quite fascinating and remarkable to see the power of technology and what it can do.”
DEVICES CONNECT PEOPLE TO NEW TRANSPORT OPPORTUNITIES
Driven by customer demand for real time information, social interaction and gamification, the growth of smart devices and IoT, carried by the vast majority of travellers, provide an exciting way for transport infrastructure operators to understand how their customers use their transport networks.
As technology evolves, so will a more symbiotic relationship between transport infrastructure and the end-users it serves. This is because “customers are now both data influencers and information receivers,” explains WSP’s Lawrence.
With the proliferation of tech platforms such as Waze and Google Maps, the opportunities for
transport innovation will only continue to increase, says Lawrence. “The more customers using a platform, the more reliable its data is and the more value it brings to infrastructure owners and operators.”
But if transport users are also data collectors, could networks ultimately become self-monitoring? This is an idea National Highways’ Chief Data Officer, Davin Crowley-Sweet, is keen to explore in relation to motorists. “Suddenly, you've got millions of computers on wheels traversing your network, collecting data about it to help you,” he explains. “It’s a really collaborative way of looking after our infrastructure.”
Listen to TfL's Chief Data Officer Lauren Sager Weinstein explain how anonymised data from customers' smart phones is revealing journey patterns between bus and Tube networks, helping to optimise customer flow and improve passenger experience.
“I think we need to recognise that our people and our customers are collecting valuable data, letting us do a better job. You'll end up with a much closer relationship between the people who use the system and the people who manage it.”
TRANSPORT MAKES THE CONNECTION
For all the potential of a people-centric approach, Crowley-Sweet agrees that it is still “a fairly alien concept” to transport. “We've got lots of tools for delivering construction faster. We've got lots of tools for managing assets better. But I don't think we've yet nailed the systems thinking and the people-centric design thinking in what we do,” he suggests.
If organisations can get it right, there will be a stronger, more valuable technology-driven connection between transport networks and the customers and communities they serve.
Three ways connectivity is shaping people-centric transport:
Davin Crowley-Sweet Chief Data Officer, National Highways
1. Changing the relationship between users and transport for optimal customer experience
2. Optimising asset construction, operations and maintenance for better journeys
3. Enabling open standards to improve people-centric design and collaboration
HUB:
THE ERA OF PEOPLE-CENTRIC TRANSPORT
The transport sector is on the verge of unprecedented opportunity. How can it become more responsive to the ever-changing demands of a consumer-driven market?
SECTION 1:
DATA POWERS A PEOPLE-FIRST APPROACH
Data has long held the key to safer, faster, reliable transport. What does this look like in a world where all users are data gatherers?
SECTION 3:
DIGITAL SHOWS THE WAY TO SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE
Safety and sustainability are critical focus areas for society. How can today’s transport and infrastructure providers ensure their networks are Future Ready?
PAGES
STAY IN TOUCH
MOVING TO A DIGITAL FUTURE:
CONNECTIVITY SHAPES PEOPLE-CENTRIC TRANSPORT
Consumer demands are evolving as rapidly as transport technology. How is this affecting the relationship between people and networks?
New technologies are enabling more intuitive design that puts user experience at the heart of infrastructure and construction. As technology matures, users will reap further benefits of digital connectivity in their transport experiences.
“We’re looking at the system and saying, ‘We know where we'd like to get to. Can we come up with a migration path that gets us there with minimal impact to customers?’”
Andrew Simmons Chief Systems Engineer, Network Rail
This approach was put into practice in the design of TfL’s new Northern Line stations, which were created with customer experience and staff efficiencies in mind.
Listen to TfL’s Rakesh Gaur explaining how operator feedback was used to tweak the design of the Northern Line extension to deliver a seamless customer experience and optimise operations from the outset:
The application of intelligent and emerging technologies in the design of the new HS2 and Crossrail station at London’s Old Oak Common will make it one of the UK’s best-connected railway stations by 2026 and a ‘super hub’ of connectivity.
Drawing on a deep pool of data, including comprehensive analysis of train operations and pedestrian flow modelling AR specialists were able to create an immersive virtual model of the station’s design. Designers, alongside members of the public, were then invited to navigate this virtual environment; their emotional-response data to the environment and user experience was monitored by sensors built into headsets.
HS2’s Head of Digital Engineering, Sonia Zahiroddiny, is quick to highlight that, although this technology is becoming more common, its use is not yet widespread in the transport industry. Nevertheless, its remarkable potential is evident.
“A lot of these technologies are used to simulate how passengers might be impacted, based on the data we collect as they find their way through a station—or they’re using neuroimaging methods to assess objectively people’s experience of the built environment,” says Zahiroddiny. “It is quite fascinating and remarkable to see the power of technology and what it can do.”
DEVICES CONNECT PEOPLE TO NEW TRANSPORT OPPORTUNITIES
Driven by customer demand for real time information, social interaction and gamification, the growth of smart devices and IoT, carried by the vast majority of travellers, provide an exciting way for transport infrastructure operators to understand how their customers use their transport networks.
As technology evolves, so will a more symbiotic relationship between transport infrastructure and the end-users it serves. This is because “customers are now both data influencers and information receivers,” explains WSP’s Lawrence.
With the proliferation of tech platforms such as Waze and Google Maps, the opportunities for transport innovation will only continue to increase, says Lawrence. “The more customers using a platform, the more reliable its data is and the more value it brings to infrastructure owners and operators.”
But if transport users are also data collectors, could networks ultimately become self-monitoring? This is an idea National Highways’ Chief Data Officer, Davin Crowley-Sweet, is keen to explore in relation to motorists. “Suddenly, you've got millions of computers on wheels traversing your network, collecting data about it to help you,” he explains. “It’s a really collaborative way of looking after our infrastructure.”
Listen to TfL's Chief Data Officer Lauren Sager Weinstein explain how anonymised data from customers' smart phones is revealing journey patterns between bus and Tube networks, helping to optimise customer flow and improve passenger experience.
“I think we need to recognise that our people and our customers are collecting valuable data, letting us do a better job. You'll end up with a much closer relationship between the people who use the system and the people who manage it.”
Davin Crowley-Sweet Chief Data Officer, National Highway
TRANSPORT MAKES THE CONNECTION
For all the potential of a people-centric approach, Crowley-Sweet agrees that it is still “a fairly alien concept” to transport. “We've got lots of tools for delivering construction faster. We've got lots of tools for managing assets better. But I don't think we've yet nailed the systems thinking and the people-centric design thinking in what we do,” he suggests.
If organisations can get it right, there will be a stronger, more valuable technology-driven connection between transport networks and the customers and communities they serve.
Three ways connectivity is shaping people-centric transport:
1. Changing the relationship between users and transport for optimal customer experience
2. Optimising asset construction, operations and maintenance for better journeys
3. Enabling open standards to improve people-centric design and collaboration
Read more about how digital connectivity is revolutionising transport
HUB:
THE ERA OF PEOPLE-CENTRIC TRANSPORT
The transport sector is on the verge of unprecedented opportunity. How can it become more responsive to the ever-changing demands of a consumer-driven market?
SECTION 1:
DATA POWERS A PEOPLE-FIRST APPROACH
Data has long held the key to safer, faster, reliable transport. What does this look like in a world where all users are data gatherers?
SECTION 3:
SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT
Safety and sustainability are critical focus areas for society. How can today’s transport and infrastructure providers ensure their networks are Future Ready?
PAGES
STAY IN TOUCH
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