Pervasive and seamless connectivity is a cornerstone of smart transit systems
Advanced network infrastructure is the key to smart cities
The ‘Smart Cities’ paradigm is predicated on a modern mobility system that connects residents and visitors with places they wish to visit in a rapid, reliable and safe manner. High quality and efficient public transit is undoubtedly the linchpin of smart mobility systems. While rigorous systems planning is required to deliver effective transit networks, modern technologies are key enablers to improve the management and customer experience of these networks.
Toronto has been reputed widely for its highly effective and efficient transit system, with its ridership levels and cost recovery ratio scoring among the highest in North America. Such outcomes have been credited not only to creative transit planning and design practices but also early adoption of sensor and communication technologies that improve the performance of the system. In recognition of its distinguished performance and innovation, Toronto’s transit system was named in 2017 as the “APTA Transit System of the Year.”
However, Toronto’s future as a world-class ‘smart city’ is highly dependent on its continued innovation and application of smart technology to its transit system, in order to meet the high expectations Torontonians have of their system. Pervasive and seamless connectivity is a cornerstone of smart transit systems, particularly in multimodal systems like Toronto’s which rely heavily on its subway system (the 4-line subway network of Toronto serves roughly 50% of all transit trips in the city every day, while the 149 bus routes and 11 streetcar lines serve the other half).
Data-driven services make transport safer, smarter and more efficient
Transit users in Toronto spend so much time in the transit system, walking to and waiting at transit stops, riding buses or trains, and transferring between lines if needed. The transit journey is often marred with extra delays due to deviations from schedule and unplanned service disruptions which are not uncommon occurrences. Concerns about security and safety are also mounting, and so are health concerns due to transit overcrowding during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Data-driven services enabled by seamless connectivity can alleviate some of these issues. As many studies have shown, transit riders appreciate timely information on delays and alternative options, not only before starting their trips but also while en route. With many transit users in Toronto riding the subway followed by a bus or streetcar connection, using third-party apps to receive information about the status of their connections or signalling their intent to transfer to specific routes is another promising service that can be enabled by seamless connectivity in the subway system. At the COVID-19 pandemic times we currently witness and moving forward towards economic recovery, providing timely information on crowding levels at stations and individual cars of incoming trains is of utmost importance. Additional personalized services can be provided to rail transit users with the aid of connectivity, such as seat reservation, AR-based wayfinding in subway stations, to name a few.
Transit authorities and operators can exploit connectivity to improve system performance and resilience. Overcrowding on subway platforms and trains do not only degrade the system throughput and efficiency but can also pose security and health hazards. Demand and flow management of overcrowded subway systems to mitigate those risks can be greatly enhanced with data-driven services.
Connectivity gives citizens control of their time, their work and their wellbeing
With seamless and reliable connectivity across the transit system, transit riders can use their travelling time more productively. In a big metropolitan city like Toronto where many transit riders spend more than hour in each of their morning and evening commutes every day, using some of this time on productive tasks related to work or personal matters can be only empowering.
In a study on the work commute in the UK, it was found that commuters by car or train suffer worse stress than fighter pilots or riot police facing mobs of unruly demonstrators. Providing Toronto transit commuters with seamless connectivity and ancillary data-driven services that empower them with information on delays and disruptions, allow them to reserve tickets and seats, and enable them to use their times productively will indeed reduce the stress level of their commuting and improve their overall user experience and wellbeing.
Excerpted from Connectivity Outlook 2020 – Toronto Report by BAI Communications and posted with permission.