Designing Better Next Train Arrival Screens
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 17 мар 2022
- Next train screens are an underrated but crucial part of the transit experience. Let's take a look at some of the best designs around the world, and how our cities can learn from them.
Thanks to @AugustAP12 on Twitter for some awesome mockup designs!
This video is sponsored by Rocketman. Check out the Rocketman app for free for both Android and iOS here: rocketmanapp.onelink.me/QIMY/...
As always, leave a comment down below if you have ideas for our future videos. Like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon so you won't miss my next video!
FTC Disclosure: This video is sponsored by Rocketman. All content presented is my own. There may be affiliate links, meaning I receive a small commission from purchases - feel free to use your own links! These are my 100% honest opinions.
=ATTRIBUTION=
Epidemic Sound (Affiliate Link): www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
Nexa from Fontfabric.com
=PATREON & RUclips MEMBERSHIPS=
If you'd like to help me make more videos & get exclusive behind the scenes access and early video releases, consider supporting my Patreon or right here on RUclips! Every dollar goes towards helping my channel grow & reach more people.
Patreon: / rmtransit
RUclips Memberships: / @rmtransit
=COMMUNITY DISCORD SERVER=
Discord Server: / discord
(Not officially affiliated with the channel)
=MERCH=
Check out the RMTransit Merch Store here!
/ @rmtransit
=MY SOCIAL MEDIA=
Twitter: / rm_transit
Instagram: / rm_transit
Website: reecemartin.ca
GitHub: github.com/reecemartin
=ABOUT ME=
Hi, my name's Reece. I'm a passionate Creator, Transportation Planner, and Software Developer, interested in rapid transportation all around my home base of Toronto, Canada, as well as the whole world!
#transit #Metrolinx #Toronto
The newest next train arrival screens on light rail in San Diego actually tell you how congested each car is! It's only available at 9 stations so far but hey, still probably one of the first systems in North America to incorporate this!
I was about to say this! Mid Coast Trolley is also fully grade separated!
But if SANDAG is to increase Mid Coast, Green Line frequencies to 7.5 minutes each, it needs to connect the airport to Middletown Trolley with a Crystal Mover APM, not a airport trolley running every 15 minutes branching off the Blue/Green Line trunk via a flat junction, as typical of MTS' shortsightedness.
Montreal started doing this very recently as well actually!
@@jordanmiller42 I wonder if this is a result of the pandemic, so people can choose a less congested train to have better physical distance between other passengers
They introduced it to the UK a while ago too, it’s noticeably reduced passengers just crowding into one end coach as used to happen.
LIRR has the same functionality
I really like the screens DB uses. They can provide lots of information and also have pictograms for the length of the train and where it'll stop. They are also used on many S Bahn systems
I also like the U-Bahn screens in Munich: They show the next three or four departures and transition to a big detailed display when a train is about to arrive. Makes it impossible to not see where the train is going
Very recently DB has updated the software on their information system, including a voice change. Now it shows more detailed information even on the older blue information screens, previously only the next train was seen on a screen, now also the following ones at the platform are shown at the bottom. It makes now more efficient use of the pixels on the screen.
@@ThomasIsBored Except for Laim... Probably the worst S bahn station in Munich XD
(The screen for trains moving away is hidden behind some pillar or board)
Munich screen also shows train lengths; or I should say "short train" arrivals. There's only normal and short length so it doesn't need to be more precise than that, but it's good information anyway, along with the marking on the platform to know where you got to stand for short trains.
Think generally in German speaking countries, the passenger information screen are quite good. At my local station, there is only the next train shown but as there is only a train every 15 Minutes,except from 7 rushhour extratrains and as the displayed train is always the fastest to Zurich Mainstation it isn’t important to get more information about following trains. Instead there are Linenumber, some of the next stations aswell as the final destination, where the train stops at the station and some space for possible information about delay. A more important S-Bahn station has the next 4 following trains displayed and there it is quite useful because there are trains to many different stations.
Great video, but I think you missed the opportunity to talk about how Japan uses symbols like triangles and circles matched with labels on the platform to show door (and carriage number) location for different rolling stock. These dot LED screens typically go like this: 1st train - arrival time - train name - destination- door symbol - car numbers for stopping location based on floor stickers.
Extremely easy to follow so you know where to stand for the specific train you need. It also shows the same information for the next train so you spread people out along the platform in advance.
Hong Kong has a screen that shows the next 4 departures, Time, weather (and how busy each carriage is on the Tuen Ma Line). sometimes there are ads but the screen still shows the next departure, time and weather. If there are any service arrangements then they would show instead of ads.
Some bus stops also have next bus screens which tell you when the next bus comes.
This display also on Tseung Kwan O Line
Shanghai has added the next bus screens to most bus stops in the central area at least. They've actually used e-ink (yes, like Kindles, probably for reduced power usage) for many bus stops, which is very interesting. These screens can show several buses at once, which is very useful if you're at a bus stop that serves multiple routes.
They use e-ink probably because they can use only solar power rather than figuring out how to get a power line. This is definitely happening in more places around the world.
Would like to see full colour LEDs instead of TV-like LCDs cuz they're so much easier to read especially on long platforms
Thank you for the kind words on the new Expo/Millennium screens in Vancouver! The design and implementation was a great team effort and provided a great advance over the old red (or amber) LEDs that only advised of the next train's destination just as it was arriving in the platform. We still have room for improvement though, particularly to better indicate when the listed train is at the platform (like the new Crossrail signs) so may cover that in a future phase, while maintaining a clean design. A few random comments:
- Our signs always show the countdown to departure, not arrival, since the departure is far more important to customers, particularly if there is a longer dwell at the platform, such as at a terminus.
- There was some concern that showing departure times at the station entrances might encourage people to run for a train. However, my behaviour as a rider for four decades has been to move briskly all the time if I think I might miss a train. If the screen shows I don't have a need to move quickly, I won't rush, and that is the case more often than not. Also, by showing the next few trains, I might see that there is little consequence to missing the first one as another departure is only a couple of minutes later. We checked with peer properties that have next train displays at station entrances and they had not reported any issues of the run and fall type feared. The station entrance signs are also used to show critical messages in the event of a service disruption. By training people to look at them for always-useful next departure times, they are more likely to see those more critical messages.
- The Japanese metros tend to have fantastic electronic signage, showing as much information as you might want to consume. Some might see this as overload but if you're still adding value for a good share of the riders, there's no sense in dumbing everything down to the lowest level.
@Zaydan Naufal No, no relation.
They did get some millage out of those old 1985 LED signs. They also showed the amount of cars and notices for the longest time. Did their job well for a long time. I wonder how herd they were to support. New ones are truly nice and much more visible.
I can't believe the only mention of Sydney was that they're portrait, and an image of the screens a decade ago were used. In my opinion, if what you want is a monitor and not a dot matrix, they are among the best. They show stopping pattern as mentioned, but also have number of cars (relevant for regional services), destination, time to departure, the next 2 trains and their destinations and time to departure, the line the train is running on (often 1platform multiple lines), as well as capacity by car (colour coded, unfortunately not red-green colour blind accessible). It sounds like a lot, but with high contrast, legible fonts, intuitive design layout and 2-4 sets of large screens per platform, it is very easy to get the information you need, even from afar. Because they're LCDs, they are also used for announcements about delays, trackwork or special events services. All this is not to mention that they're aesthetically clean (subjective), and match well with the system's branding. At stations with low ceilings, two landscape screens are used, displaying all the same information.
All these fantastic features are duplicated on larger screens on the concourse of most stations, meaning you can check what platforms you need to go to if you're unfamiliar, or if services have been shuffled, as well as if you need to hurry up because it's about to depart.
Oh! and at the entrances of some stations, there is a screen showing when the next 3 trains to the city (or other direction) are departing, which platform, and if it's express, limited or all stops. The bare minimum of what you need, and if you're going to or towards the city, you can actually get away with only using that and never looking at the concourse or platform screens.
Agreed. Sydney's displays are the best I've seen in the world
Agreed and Sydney screens are an example of responsiveness to changing customer needs. Screen designs get updated quite often (once or twice a year I'd say?) And don't forget their best feature: The spikes on top to keep the birds and their droppings away!
Agreed, was amazed at how good they were and used throughout the public transport network. Brisbane's displays are extremely woeful in comparison
I have no idea why a proper example of Sydney was missing here they had these new displays for years now.
Also find each next departure screen fit for each of the various modes across Sydney.
The new Sydney Light Rail shows the next few departures with destination only as each tram stops at all stops.
Sydney Ferries has screens similar to Sydney trains + screens at each of the Wharfs at Circular Quay showing the wharf no. and time of the next service against each destination.
And some of the bus stops have E ink screens showing next departures appropriately.
The screens in Sydney are brilliant. Especially the stations that have two screens
The Elizabeth line has a great feature - the next train arrival screens are integrated into the platform screen doors - this means you can always see a screen. This also means that wayfinding signage isn’t hidden by various screens, and the platform looks significantly clearer & cleaner.
This is mentioned in the video.
Except that lets say you are at Paddington or Liverpool St and you are travelling out of London. Do you go downstairs for the Crossrail train, or do you go upstairs for the Great Western / Great Eastern train? If it is upstairs, which platform?
Haha we seem to think alike because once again I've included this in the video LOL
@@katbryce: On that note, how do/will they handle it on the mainline platforms? Like King's Cross does with St Pancras Thameslink departures included on the boards?
Mind you, it's a pretty challenging problem. As those platforms are further away than the "mainline" ones, there comes a point at which most people wouldn't be able to make it, but that point is different for different people. It's a bit better on Crossrail's Elizabeth Line though, as almost all of the stopping services on either side will go through central London (with the exception iirc of some peak Eastern stopping services, and off peak Didcot Western trains). It's only really Reading and Shenfield (and maybe a few others that are further out) which you'd need to consider for...
In Paris in the few next years, the sign will be replaced with sceens like the line 14 screens'...
No ads, just waiting time and useful service informations...
I also really love the new device screens on RER A wich shows the line diagram to show the stops made by the next train...
Was just looking at it, it's a great augmentation of a traditional paper map
The RER B line will also have them next year.Only the South section.
NYC has pretty space-efficient signs that show alerts (since there is always work going on somewhere in the system) and cycle through many upcoming trains (since many platforms are served by 2 or 3 or more trains) while always displaying the time until the *next* train (since that is the highest-priority information)
Munich is pretty decent in this regard. Screens show the next three trains, the length of these trains in a diagram and also which part of the platform the shorter trains are going to stop at. Definetely a huge upgrade over the old split-flap displays which were not flexible at all and only able to show the train that was about to arrive in a minute or so.
The S-Bahn uses two different types of displays: a narrow one which shows the next 6-8 trains (and when you have a trunk line that's used by 7 different lines, that is really useful) and a bigger TV style display with more detailed information about the currently arriving train. For example, there are a couple of branches where a train will split and the front part of the train will continue to one terminus and the rear part will go to a different terminus. The screens show you which part goes where. This is also shown on the screens on the train itself, along with the station where the split occurs. So you always know where your part of the train is headed.
I actually think systems like s bahns can benefit even more because as you say there's more variability
Also on the blue displays DB shows where first (full white wagons) and second class (blue wagon with white outline) are located
Superb viideo! I would simply add that it is particularly important to know the wait time for at least the next TWO trains/trams/buses. If the first train/tram/bus to come along is very crowded but the next train/tram/bus indicator shows that 'there is another one behind' within a few minutes waiting passengers will not board the crowded train/tram/bus. This often happens where I live (Nottingham England) which has buses and trams but is too small to have a metro.
I would not add the point “next 2 trains/trams/buses” in general. It really depends on how the system is built up. Where I live, only the next train is displayed and there isn’t anything more needed as 200 Meter Bi-Level S-Bahn trains don’t get so full that your not able to get in or out of the train. As (apart from 7 (4 in one direction 3 in the other one) trains a day there are only trains every 15 minutes and you normally don’t go to the station at a random time and just wait for the next one. Just an example that your point shouldn’t be implemented in every PIS System but I think that where you said, this could still be a good feature.
Seeing the next 2 trains can also be useful if the screen doesn't know that a train left and is still showing the previous train.
I like the ones on the Taipei Metro best, they post the time in minutes and seconds (updating every 5). Furthermore, it shows WHERE the train is on a miniature map, if it is in the station right before it, or between it and itself. it truely shows the progression of the train and makes it graphical (great for the illiterate/graphically functioning people; instead of replying on a “number”.
I have been to Brussels two days ago and they also show where each train currently is on the line
But I guess it makes more sense as there are multiple lines running in parallel and stopping on the same platforms on the station
This is a niche video, so if you like it please do share!
Which city do you think has the best next transit arrival screen?
Japan
Chicago
Hong Kong. Has Bright screens which show ads very infrequently. other times next 4 trains are shown. time and weather are always shown at the top of the display.
Zurich - all modes, that is Main line trains, S-bahn, trams, buses.
Shanghai's are pretty good. They show the next three arrivals, the line (Line 3 and 4 only where they interline), and the terminal station. Newer lines also show the train loading. They also sometimes cycle to show a congestion map of the line you're on as well as interchanging lines. They have sufficient numbers of screens on each platform that you don't have to go far to find one.
I like Sydney's, and I think they're the best out of all places I've been.
The ones shown on this video were the old style ones
And you can even see how congested each car is, How long the train is, which stops will be available for the upcoming train, times and delays. And the vertical nature makes it so easy to read from a distance
I had the newer ones saved, but for some reason used the wrong one!
those portrait style LCDs on the Sydney network mimic the older moving wooden boards that had similar destination lists on rotating signs
Reece, one little thing to point out is that the Sydney PID’s the portrait screens are generally at all city station like Central, Town Hall, Wynyard, Circular Quay, St. James and Museum and I think some other stations like Bondi Junction, Martin Place, Edgecliff, Kings Cross, Strathfield and Olympic Park.
The rest of Sydney’s stations use the portrait version on the concourse where passengers might need the next train info before or after you go through the ticket barriers, where on the platforms they are landscape style
Way finding is very important for user friendliness! Displays should be easily to read and understand and also very visible. Ads should never be on them! I like the new Deutsche Bahn screens which are now with colours (not just blue and white). I mean in most cases like Tram networks the classic two colour pixel diusplays are enough, but for Subways/Metros and long haul trains I like better displays with a little more information on them.
Btw another important thing are the guiding signs from on platform to another when you need to chage the train.
I know this video is all about platform screens, but I think this intersects very closely with modern wayfinding apps. For example, Sydney has a ton of data provided to third parties such as Google Maps or TripView, and these are almost more valuable than the platform screens for a large chunk of the population. It should never replace good platform screens as there will always be a need, but it's a massive modern improvement for something like a bus network, where you'd only really put screens up at your most used stops.
Even though it isn't technically a metro system I think the Dutch Railways have pretty godd screens; It has the time of the next arrival, the train after that, the stops it makes, if it's a fast or stopper train and even its operator.
The new nyc ones are pretty good too, they show the next train and cycle through the next 5. They are pretty clear led multi color screens, the only thing is that its often hard to read from the far end of the platform, but most people stay around the middle so that doesn’t matter too much. The only things they could add is maybe weather, and DEFINITELY how packed the train is. I usually judge by how far the 2nd trains is to the first one, and if it’s really close I wait because most people will have got on the first one.
BART (SF BAY AREA) is also switching to new color LED/split screen (departures and service annoucement on same screen) istead of there old red sign , in the next few years. (They have one at Lake Merrit currently).
I was surprised you didn't talk more about Japan / Tokyo. Their screens match pretty much all of your criteria. They focus on information, they use different colors to highlight different types of information, they show the service, where it's going, how many cars when it will arrive, and usually for the next 3 trains. They use animations to grab attention when a train is arriving or some kind of important announcement is made. Plus, the screens alternate between at least Japanese and English, and sometimes also Korean and Chinese too. I've also pretty much only seen various flavors of LED dot matrix used, rather than LCD, despite the complexity of rendering both Japanese and English.
While there's a lot of different railway companies in Japan, they all seem to do this pretty similarly and well.
S-Bahn Berlin started using fullcolor rechtangular LCD screens. I mean they're cool and stuff...But very hard to read in sunlight. So overall i think it's a net neutral. More information in a nicer display, but meh in sunlight.
Another thing S-Bahn Berlin tries at the moment at Südkreuz station on the north-south platform is indicating the train length by LED's in the bricks on the platform edge. They tried this one time already in Bad Cannstatt where it absolutely failed. Maybe they improved the system a bit, we'll see how it works out when the system gets installed by the end of the year.
so glad I discovered this channel, been really enjoying the videos recently
i disagree with one point you made at the end regarding wayfinding, the fact that little effort goes into it. The example I give is London Underground. They have the same font used on all their signs, the same colours across the whole network and in some cases the signs even change to direct people different ways during congestion when the stations are very busy. It clearly has had lots of thought go into it.
Berlin not only has LED dot matrix next train screens on the platforms but also at interchanges straight above the passageway to the interconnecting line (s). That's really helpful. Munich uses very nice big LCD screens on many stations that also indicate the train length very easily.
My favourite screens are on Thameslink's stations, showing a diagram of all the stops and it shows how many cars there are, whether the front/rear first class is classified or declassified, any disruptions and the time! It shows the next two departures in big with all the diagrams, then the next 4 after that smaller, only saying the destination and how many minutes until it arrives!
How dare you say something good about Thameslink
I like the design used on DSB stations. A few central screens showing all stations, and then a screen at each platform showing the upcoming train, the stations the train will stop at, and also the formation of the train with the location relative to the platform.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and ideas
Transit operators ought to be providing this information at the station entrance as well as the platform. Here in Vancouver, the project that added full-colour LED signboards to the Expo/Millennium Lines also added large displays showing next train times at each of the station entrances, which was a great decision. I feel like this has had so much effect decongesting our busy stations since now you can lounge around outside the station and just go to the platform when the train you want is about to arrive.
The Canada Line still doesn't have this and I really wish it did, as the short 40m platforms arguably make it even more necessary. They frequently become congested, particularly during delays.
Here in Helsinki the metro has very simple arrival screens that simply show the next metros and their destinations. But on mainline stations, including local rail the displays also show the area it will stop, and the number of carriages/EMUs it's made of. I think they have also added route info like the example from Sydney.
I'm not surprised Helsinki is great for transit!
This is exactly how our arrival screens are like in the UK! On the Underground it shows the time, when the next train arrives and where it terminates. On National Rail stations it will show the time, terminus (including an optional via point if there are multiple ways to go to the terminus from the same station), the time it arrives, stops and carriage numbers. In London stations, it can also show service disruption on London Underground services.
In a lot of places in the UK we have mind the gap printed on the ground where the doors will be. Our screens show a diagram of the number of coaches and situation of doors for the train alongside when the train will arrive, its destination and any additional information like closures or delays etc. Sometimes there'd be multiple trains shown especially on high frequency services.
I just feel somehow very satisfied finishing my day early and watching your video while taking the Montreal metro. What a comfort!!
I can see my knowledge growing just listening to your videos
Good stuff again
So happy to hear
I've always appreciated how the National Rail network here in the UK does it's next train screens. There's a few different forms, though an orange dot-matrix is obviously the most common, although in the past, Flipchart style boards and even CRT displays have been used, and LCD screens are becoming more common. Your standard horizontal DMI (Dot-Matrix Indicator) will show 3 rows, and then a clock underneath on a 4th row about 1.5x the height of the other rows.
The first row will always show the next train's scheduled departure time, it's destination, and it's expected time (if the train is on time then it'll show On Time), which would look like the below:
0957 Victoria On Time
The second row will alternate between showing the 2nd train due, and the calling points, consist, & operator of the first train due, which would look like: Chatham, Rochester, Bromley South, London Victoria. A Southeastern service formed of 8 coaches. This is obviously too long to show all at once so the list of calling points and other information will scroll across.
The 3rd row will always show the 3rd train due. Departure boards in the concourse/booking hall is basically a must at British national rail stations, these will show more trains than the ones on the platform- usually enough space for the next 5-10 trains- and additionally give the platform each train is due to depart from, very useful at stations where there are more than 1 platform for each direction.
I feel like the national rail networks in countries often trail behind their compatriot metro systems but in the UK, the standard of this aspect is at least on par with the London Underground, and better in places where LCD screens have been installed and properly utlised.
Back in 197* something BR engaged considerable effort into designing PID text form, layout and display types - as you say displays ranged from printed flap boards (which were the most legible and probably still would be) through to rotating dots, backlit mechanical dot boards (predating LCDs) and CRTs. All had advantages and disadvantages. CRTs were not bright enough in daylight, flapboards had expensive update costs in printing and fitting flaps, rotating dots gumming up in the harsh station environment. There were many views at that time about what should be shown and graphic design studies worked out the minimum and maximum that should be shown. Some operators wanted to put a load of info up that distracted from the main Time/Destination/Calling points which fortunately was considered detracting. Others could not accept that Upper & Lower case lettering was more legible from a greater distance than all Upper case! I remember that where CTRs were used on platform displays a great improvement in legibility was where multiple lists (of calling stations were called for) instead of 'jumping lines' of text were inferior to smooth scrolling text. I see that this observation has not been carried through to some of the current NR main orange LED displays which suddenly flip calling points - just as you have got halfway through the previous list 🤣 I see that NR is now moving to white LED displays on platforms with better clarity. LCD screens, IMHO are still problematic in bright light at open stations.
Berlin's U-Bahn has an excellent train length-positioning display. Short trains are used during overnight or quiet hours and may stop at different positions on the platform depending on the station and position of exit staircases. So, the display shows whether it is a short train and whether it will stop in the front or the rear of the platform relative to the direction of travel. Then, there are markers on the tunnel wall showing the limit of a short train so you know exactly where to stand.
I really like our newer vertical and horizontal PIDs in Sydney
The wide format white-on-black designs are nice, very clear and legible.
Btw, full screen ads on departure time screens are criminal!
I was in Brussels recently, where they have signs that show where on the line all of the trains currently are.
This is something that is nice but I don't think it can substitute for a simpler numeric display
In The Netherlands you can see where the trains are on an app, how long they are, the speed, where 1st and 2nd class entries are (so you can already go to the place on the platform where you want to enter the train) and if your train, and your connection at the next transfer station, has a delay. You see the trains move on the map, tap on your train and you see all the specifications. The same counts for the stations, you can see if they rent out PT-bikes, if there is a little shop or restaurant, if there is a ticket office or just a ticket machine, if there is free parking and how many places (sadly no live updates on how many places are available), which bus connections there are, or if there’s a taxi stand. You hardly need the platform signs, they’re just easy.
@@RMTransit I was a bit bummed that you didn't mention the Brussels screens, they show the whole line and below the diagram the 2 next trains and ETAs. It looks gimmicky at first but I've found it very informative in case of disruptions to the service, so you can see if trains are advancing and at which station they're stuck. Also since a lot of stations are serviced by 2 lines on the same platform it's clear which stations the next train will be servicing
@@RealConstructor you could say all passenger information displays are redundant with apps now, but I don't want to get my phone and load an app for something I'd rather see right in front of me. Besides these line diagram screens have been around for as long as I can remember, far predating the smartphone era
@@simonp3640 You must be an exception, because all I see in stations and busstops, as well as in trains, metro’s, trams, busses and ferries, are people watching their cellphone screens or using their cellphones in another way. For most people it’s an extension of their body. In my country we also have information displays at stations and major busstops. Especially for busstops it is expensive to get power and data to the information displays. I rather have better service and higher frequency of public transport than lots of travel information displays.
Brisbane trains are colour coded for the lines and unique for each platform, with a secondary screen showing the next arriving train and the stations it stops at. Bus stops have etas, route number and destination
I worked as an engineer for 23 years on PID projects (among them paris metro you show at the beginning, BTW)
Very interresting video.
There are, at the moment 2 competing technologies: TFTs (that are basically TV panels) and LEDs.
One issue is brightness: underground, TFTs are bright enough and cheaper. Outdoor, they tend to be as expensive as LEDs as very bright backlightingo is required.
Another issue is sourcing. There is only a handful of suppliers for TFT panels. And their main market are TV and computer monitors, where obsolescence is not an issue (TV manufacturers replace their range every 1 or 2 years). But it is not the case for PIDs that are supposed to last 5 to 10 years. Squeezing a 43" panel in place of a 42" because the later one is obsolete is sometimes impossible🙂
In the Munich U and S-Bahn there are large commercials TV screens on the wall opposite to the platform. When a train came, the advertising was turned off and everyone could concentrate on the train and thus possibly accidents and mixed up trains could be prevented.
Yeah that's not a bad solution though I do think I still believe advertising and wayfinding should be kept separate
@@RMTransit For the wayfinding there are screens above the platform with the next train and the train after with their destination without ads. The TV screens opposite of the platform are purely for ads.
Small correction: It isn't a TV screen but rather a projector so when a train is coming, it would block the screen and the image would be displayed on the train instead (which can be sometimes seen at the screen where the train is coming first). Disabling the projector is therefore necessary-ish, though as you mentioned, it does come with a little a bonus to increase attention to passangers.
Source: I noticed this in Frankfurt, whose S-Bahn is similar to Munich's down to advertisements with projectors in the underground section.
Metro North in NY started updating their screens to say next train, how many cars, and which have bathrooms. Also color gradients for how full. HOWEVER it doesn’t work. Last few times I’ve been on the train it was completely inaccurate.
I think Washington DC metro does a good job. Their subway says next train, time, and number of cars. And when the train is approaching the platform these lights on the ground start flashing.
In Greater Manchester, the Metrolink system advises passengers how long a tram is by adding the letters 'sgl' or 'dbl' to their on-platform next train indicators (which could be bigger, but they're still pretty readable), to tell you whether the tram has 2 cars (a single unit) or 4 cars (a double unit) and, once you work out what it means...you know just where to stand.
The PID's on the Melbourne's Metro Trains system are great. White text on a dark background, which can easily be read..Showing all stations each service stops at. Next train times and the displays on the City Look stations even have a feature showing the boarding time before the train departs. This is represented with a band that moves across the screen. Overall a damn good system! As for Sydney's system, the scrolling feature is annoying you have to physically stand there waiting to see if your station is on that list. Plus black text on a white background is difficult to read from a distance.
They have to scroll because of how many stations some of Sydney's lines have. As someone who's used both Melbourne and Sydney trains, the Sydney black text on white is a lot easier to read
@@raph6931 there are lines with a multitude of stations here in Melbourne, all displayed for all to see. You stand in the new concourse and try and read those new PID's from a distant and it's illegible, the black text just washes in to the white background. Put both styles side by side and tell me which is easier to read. Those PID's did my head in while in Sydney.
@@harrygoldun5779 as I said, I've used both systems and Sydney's is far easier to read
@@raph6931 well I guess we both agree to disagree, I personally disliked them in Sydney, annoying to say the least.
i live in germany. and what i really miss on underground trains: a sign on the street/entrance when the next train is due
Wenn man ihn hört ist es meistens zu spät xD
One of my favorites are the screens at Shinagawa station for the Keikyu line. INaddition to a bunch of regular next trains arriving info, it shows the whole route including what stations the train will stop at. That including the separated blocks for lining up on the floor, jingles etc made for a great (and orderly) experience.
I think most Japanese screens are like this and they show a LOT of useful information, in English and Japanese, like service patterns, the train designation, destination, car length...
@@arkynkueh Those Keikyu screens in Shinagawa do take it to another level being huge jumbotron screens. Some lines on the Tokyo metro for example do a much worse job IMO. Or even the Keikyu line a couple of stops down is like an 80s station that never got ANY love.
Bigger screens make it easier to see I guess, which might be good because Japanese trains are long. But in all fairness I don't think the Tokyo Metro needs to have good arrival screens because the trains are very frequent so very few people would need to check train arrivals. Plus the platforms get so crowded in the peak that you won't be able to see anything anyway.
tyne and wear metro has a pretty simple but effective one, its a DMI, showing the current time, the next 4 trains coming (2 at a time) with a countdown if the train is less than 45 mins away, or a time if its more than 45 mins away, it can also show station information, closure information etc. It does the job, effectively, and efficiently
Great videos , you are turning me into a train nerd even though I usually travel around London by motorcycle .
I'm happy to hear it!
Interesting topic and your screen design looks easy to adopt.
The Santiago metro has a come with sort of a solution. The oldest lines (1, 2, 4 and 5) have from 3 to 4 screens for platform that uses almost a half of the screen to show the next arrival, the direction and lenght of the train (because there are diferent rolling stock) the "route" of the train when the skip-stop system is working in the rush hours and how long is it until the next important station and the end of the line. The other half of the screen is used for ads and other things of interest.
In the newest automatic lines, the screens doesnt show ads but the next two trains, its directions, the next station, the next transfer station and how congested is each car. Plus the platform has a led dots screen indicating when the train is arriving, where it is going and when the doors are closing.
Also the majority of the stations have big screens that show information about the state of the lines, interruptions, etc. In my opinion its quite a good wayfinding system.
I feel like the displays here in HK are quite good since, 1, they show up to the next 4 train, 2, on lines like the ERL it shows the number of cars, 3, on the new TML it shows which cars are how full, and 4, they show the weather and also safety info instead of ads, also they show msgs like "Please stand back from the doors" or any emergency anouncements.
The actual ETA is still way too small and scrunched up at the bottom though, especially on the four urban lines.
@@isoraqathedh Yeah true i wish there could be some on the platform screen doors like in London
They are definitely good! Hong Kong is a really good example of taking great international elements and combining them into a unified design
@@RMTransit OTOH, the bus ETA signs are not nearly as good. And that's if they even exist to begin with. (Though, with some stops serving 20 or even 30 routes, giving an ETA on an actual screen might be too much to ask.)
@@isoraqathedh Even with the small bar it is pretty legible in my opinion. Especially when they changed the boldness of the font in 2020.
As a Sydneysider I can't believe there would be ad interruptions on the train arrival screen. That sounds infuriating.
Sydney train indicators are often disrupted by service announcements that are usually totally unrelated to the indicator they're disrupting.
@@johfc oh yeah! When I really just want to know when the next train is coming but they play some longwinded announcement twice! I'd rather them put those announcements somewhere else.
@@johfc I feel ya, I really think the only screen it should show the announcement is the next 2 trains screen as it doesn't block the information for the next train
I quite like the screens used by the dutch railway infrastructure operator.
especially now that they pushed an update showing the train length.
In Porto they have an LED screen showing the outlines of the vehicles in LED, making it really intuitive to understand where to stand in the platform, as you know if it is 2 coupled in one or just the one vehicle.
You also have the destinations besides the waiting time, and they rotate, as because it is a trunk line with 5 spurs, you need to know when your train is arriving
Nice video !
And from Paris, I d'like to mention RER B LCD screens that are extremely well done (and not dedicated to ads). There is a lot to criticise with this line but this a least is worth mentioning.
My ideal next train screens:
- As you enter the station, smaller stations show the next train, or next few trains, in each direction. Larger stations can show a large sign with a list of upcoming trains, and their service type (metro, the local commuter rail system, or an Amtrak line). lf you want to add more technology, you can show a basic graphic for how full the trains are. Ads can be placed on the walls to add revenue in smaller stations, but in larger stations those spots should be taken up by stores.
- Part of the screen that show all upcoming trains can have a "Next train to..." section that shows a bunch of popular destinations that are served by multiple services.
-As you enter the station hall, probably something like the next train displays that NS uses, showing the time, service type, intermediate stations, and destination. If you have the technology, how crowded the train is. More advanced graphics can be used here to show more specific information on the particular train.
-Of course the exact design should be more localized based on culture. If you have a bit of extra money, you could even hire graphic designers for each individual station, but those should be reserved for the entrance signs. Platform signs should be standardized.
-Underneath platform signs, you can put a screen showing ads and news. Vancouver regularly shows CBC news on some displays on the Skytrain, I believe. This is also a good place to show the weather forecast, local sports results, and most importantly, service announcements.
-Next train displays at the entrance can also have an area to showcase the local area and guide people to local attractions serviced by the train station. At larger stations, a second display can be used to show connecting bus services.
-Especially on heavy rail services, both time of departure and time until departure should be shown. This also helps the user experience a lot if clock face scheduling is used.
Great video!
I think one of the best next transit arrival screen are the screens of the Line 4 - Yellow in São Paulo, they show us not just the operational status from the system's lines but also how crowded will be each part of the train. It has some ads and /or communications from the line operator but they do not have more screen time than the next transit arrival information and they are in portuguese (of course) and in english as well. The lines 1,2 and 3 are in the process of implementing something similar too. The weather info we get it with the screens inside the trains
Check out Melbourne. Their screens have the next train, destination and stations it stops at. Then next to that will be the next 2-3 trains but only destination, show time/ minutes to. And no advertising.
Melbourne's black screens with white writing are horrible. Who came up with that!?
@@shaunmckenzie5509 why? Far easier to read than coloured screens in basically all weather. They are there for informy, not emtertainmt. Coloured screens are the pits with sun glare in the open. They used to have blue backgroumd screens and they were terrible.
The Stockholm subway stations mostly have horizontal departure boards for all tracks at the street entrances, then often the same at the gate line or the stairs to the platforms and 2-3 boards at the tracks. They have one row for the next departure and a second one (scrolling) with 2 consequent departures alternating with other info (delays, elevators not working, covid 19,...).
And stations with more than some 2-3 bus lines mostly have a vertical board with departure times and which bay they will depart.
Most bus stops except rural ones also have a departure board in the shelter or below the bus stop sign (these signs always feature route number and destination).
At most stations you also have a map so you can figure out where to go if you don’t want or can’t look it up on your phone.
The subway display also tells you if the current train is short, but not before arriving. However, it does tell you to be aware of it if some of the trains are short.
One thing I like about the London Underground's dot matrix displays is that it flashes up when a train is approaching, as they do come into the platform at quite some speed, and this both means you can tell whether the train you hear is on your platform or the adjacent one, and provides a helpful warning to those with limited or no hearing (because better accessibility and safety is always good)
Previously the arrival train display in my city's commuter train stations display the station where the next train is. Now it displays the destination, the time and the number of carriages
The look on that businessman's face 7:04 cracks me up. These videos are suppose to inspire North Americans to desire this technology, and yet when I see that image, the claustrophobic in me is incline to just walk to my destination.
Great Topic.
One feature that I like is the screens on the Paris RER that has a fixed diagram of the line with the dots representing the station plugged out for lights that tell you which stations the train is stopping at and which ones its skipping. Basically showing information like on the Sydney display screens but in a more visual method.
It's actually only central Sydney that uses portrait indicators, most other places use 2 landscape monitors, one for next train info and one for following services.
Here in Singapore we use plasma/LCD colour screens that's sometimes wholy used for showing the next train's destination & the waiting time, but once every 2min it'll show an ad instead & then the destination & waiting time are moved to a ticker display either above/below the ad (except on our newest Thomson-East Coast Line where the display format is like Toronto's but the waiting time's font is much bigger, though the destination is much smaller, which might not matter as the line doesn't have branching, skipped stops or frequently turnaround short of the termini stations). Ads can be interrupted halfway though if a train arrives then, because then the screen will auto-switch to wholy being used for showing the train's destination in larger font (important since some older platforms have the display only @ 1 end, & the trains themselves don't have destination displays). On our North East Line such disruptions happen 1min bef train arrival instead to display the public service announcement poster "Train is arriving...please mind the gap", while only the Downtown Line's displays show different train cars' crowdedness levels 1min before the train arrives.
As you might've seen it's pretty not standardised, as we try a new design with the opening of each new line. Previously the displays on our oldest North South & East West Lines would also (sneakily) go blank if the next train is >6min away, apparently in response to criticism after a passenger learnt from a display that his next train was up to 12min away (on our Changi Airport shuttle branch I rmb)
Very good points and relevant video! The subject is very often not prioritized. I agree on most of your recommendations, but you forget one very important; reflections!
Use of matt front glass, can make a huge difference for the user experience.
Checklist should be:
1. LED dot-matrix screen - high visibility and reliability
2. Optimized typeface for LED - high legibility
3. Use of matt front glass - no reflections!
4. Clean layout - shown was is relevant for the users, not a demonstration of the screen possibilities.. ;)
In the Netherlands, the displays on all train stations recently got updated to show the length of the train and the number of minutes left before the train departs (it replaces the departure time itself every couple of seconds). It works pretty good (although not all trains have the equipment to broadcast its length to the station so for a small minority the train length is still not shown)
Image a future where the entire platform screen is a huge display, shows pleasant scenery perhaps, plus information such as what trains are arriving next, where they are, how full they are, how full they are specifically at the door you are waiting, where they're going to, perhaps even how many people are expected to get on and off on other stops; whatever, loads of crazy stuff you could do.
Obviously not really necessary and I'm happy with information on when the next trains arrive plus information about any disruptions. But could be fun stuff for the future.
One cool thing I’ve seen here in Tokyo is that special express trains going to popular locations will sometimes have a pixel-art icon next to them on the departures screen. For example, I’ve seen an icon of a mountain on a train to Mt. Takao, and another icon for a famous temple near the Chuo Line. As a passenger, I think it’s cool that you’re train gets a special icon on the screen, and it probably also serves as pretty good advertising by getting people interested on the places you can go with transit :)
Something I noticed when I was in Copenhagen the other day was the S-train arrival screens. It showed the next to arrivals, and, at the bottom, eight squares, some of which were coloured red, and a little yellow triangle over one on the squares.
I was amazed by how self-explanatory it was, no need to mention that this was where the train would stop. Just using the red colour scheme of the trains to signal the intent.
Very insightful video!
Even a world-class transit system like Singapore’s sometimes struggles with this problem. There’s only one or two screens on long platforms and we have ads on the next train arrival screens on older lines. The screens on the newer lines though just show the next train arrival times and also the load on the train with green for almost empty car, yellow for somewhat crowded and red for fully packed.
i think the most laughable is the in-train info screen... it's literal someone's high-up pet project for themselves on powerpoint... and what they think should be the design... thank god, LTA took over and polished the concept right up for the recent new lines...
@@PrograError I fully agree. And LTA taking over was a good move.
Singapore really ought to standardize things more
@@RMTransit they are, since around 2018 after they changed the contract to a London styled tender operations (Tower Transit of London won the first tender for the bus operations) for both bus and trains (legacy operators are snowballed into the scheme and given replacement "contracts").
LTA had tendered for many large replacement contracts especially with the older NSEWL where they are replacing 3 generations of trains in one go with Bombardier's new trains. (It's gonna look much sleeker and more modern than the current ones and jacked with maintenance gadgets)
Tho they also gave us 4 generations of new signages since the opening of DTL... So take it what it is ... (TEL gave us a more pictogram wayfinding, DTL gave us a more modern wayfinding and map)
In São Paulo's line 4 the screens not only show the time until the next arrival, but also how full each train car is, so you know exactly what's the best place to wait and board the train from.
U-Bahn Berlin had Screens in the trains for many years, just showing News and ads (but also for local stuff like Theaters)
Just a few years ago they started using one of the screens (they come in pairs) for Passenger Information
Paris metro, next trains arrival LED screens are going to change. The older models are obsolete and replacement pieces are becoming harder and more expensive to find.
They will put LCD screens instead. Anyway, those will show two large numbers showing the next trains arrival taking most of the place on the screen and it can be seen form all over the platform. These kind of display are already in place on line 14 where it also show if the length of the trains because line 14 has 6 car and 8 cars trains and on the platform doors of line 4.
Someone shared with me on twitter, I love the large numbers! Super easy to read from a distance
@@RMTransit That was me.
the TTC Subway screens remind me of the next stop display in Transjakarta's low deck buses
The new WMATA next train signs in the renovated stations are pretty nice. They show 3 trains with destinations listed & number of cars, with clear displays. They also show service alerts on the lower half of the screen. When they aren’t displaying service alerts it can show 5 trains in advance.
It's also important to know which section of the screen to use for what. With the german DB, there is one scrolling text part meant for announcing important changes, such as delays or platform changes. However, this spot often gets misappropriated for other stuff. One train line I was taking regularly always used this to announce "Does not stop at ". Trains of that line NEVER stopped at that station. It was also not shown for other lines of the same category that passed through that station. NONE of them stop there. This is just regular schedule and should keep out of the disturbance field.
In the same vein, since covid the field is constantly used for announcements such as "do wear masks". Which means again that the important information that is supposed to stand out doesn't actually stand out.
I think SNCB in Belgium does a fine job, we use LCD screens at major stations which indicate the time the next train will arrive, the first major node and final stop (eg, some trains between Ghent and Brussels go via Aalst and take much longer, so the train via Aalst needs to be mentioned), all intermediate stops, the type of train, which stations have platforms where some of the back coaches can't stop and so you can't get off, if the train splits and which cars will be going where and in which coaches first class is situated in pulled trains as that can differ, reserved seats for groups are also mentioned and in which coach they are.
IC Lichtervelde Kortrijk 16:54
This train stops in: Zedelgem, Torhout, Lichtervelde, Roeselare, Izegem, Ingelmunster & Kortrijk
Passengers to Torhout shouldn't take place in the last 2 carriages side B, the 1st class is situated in the 4th and 7th carriage, the 52 reserved seats for "University of York" are situated in the 2nd and 3rd carriage.
In the tunnels or overpass and in really crowded stations on platforms there is also a screen with all the trains for about the next hour, only displaying the type of train (IC, L, S7, P, TGV, ICE, Thalys, Eurostar,...) destination and the first node, the platform, arrival time, delay and of course the time.
07:03 l +8' > 07:11 l S8 l 7 > 4 l
Bruxelles Zottegem
This could mean that the S8 train to Brussels and Zottegem of 07:03 has a delay of 8 minutes and will be departing from track 4 instead of track 7.
Though there is definitely room for improvement, they don't indicate where the train will sit on the platform, where the accessible areas for bikes and wheelchair users are nor a layout of the train, I also think some of the information could be put into a diagram.
🚲
_____ _____ ______ _____
/ 1 l 2 l 2 l 1 \
--------------------------------------------
\ 2 l 2 l 2 l 1 /
For a doubledecker train, perhaps indicating the reserved seats in a color, a clear divider where they split and maybe underlining the carriages that are too long for some platforms in red, and then you can read the text for where there is a problem.
The dot-matrix digit displays in Paris are due to be replaced, they're a custom design and getting parts is apparently getting harder. So the plan is to go full LCD like on line 14 and now 4 (albeit without the PSDs). LCDs are produced in such large numbers for consumer devices, it kinda makes sense to build on that tech.
In Brussels (Antwerp too) we show the the entire line diagram with real time positions. And we show the 2 next trains. Showing the positions of the trains is really cool, but also useful. When there is a problem, you can actually see where it is and maybe you can adapt better to the problem by looking where you can get off as an alternative.
-
I always found our next-arrival screens the coolest things ever. Like, you don’t even need to know the time, you can see where your trains is and see it slowly getting up to your station. You don’t get this everywhere. Especially thinking my metro system is already 40 to almost 50 years old!
On the Brussels Metro, the screens show a schematic of the line that you are on (in the direction of travel), with a light behind each stop so that you can see where all the trains are on your line. They also give you the arrival time and destination of the next 2 trains.
You're totally right Reese, these screens in Toronto suck. There was that ransomware attack that broke train positioning so those screens and apps like Rocketman had no clue where the trains and streetcars were. But even since that was resolved the next train arrival screens mostly don't display the next train anymore they mostly just show the frequency. I've even seen the screens change from "2 min" (next train estimate) to "Every 5 min" randomly for no reason :(
The TTC really needs to get on this.
Those ads made me nostalgic. When I was in 8th grade and new buses with screens rolled out, I spent my mornings starring at a screen that showed advertisement for a sewing shop, a swimming pool and an optician promising to correct your eyesight without glasses, contacts or laser operations over and over at what felt like 5 fps. Now they focus on just showing stations and the obligatory 3G-reminder.
Vancouver: where you run for it to avoid having to wait 90 seconds.
8:10 same in Paris, and this is also made for buses around the station. It’s great, especially in the connection stations.
Great RM screen design
4:40 vancouver’s analog way finding is also p good in popular areas with maps and estimated walking times and landmarks on posts at intersections
i always was able to leave my phone at home and go skateboarding or whatever good stuff
Nice video! I wish you also would've talked about the Mumbai local system. It's a wide, dot-matrix screen that shows what platform different trains are arriving on, train destination, what time the train arrives at, expected time of arrival (in case of delays), number of coaches, type of train (fast or slow, indicating what stations the train will stop at). After living in this city for 20 years, I've only recently realised how helpful and to the point our arrival screen.
Have a look at Manchester Piccadilly platforms 13&14 on if you want a unique (to the UK at least) PID. The busy commuter Network (kind if) platforms get very congested so they have a ‘wait in lounge’ traffic light system when announcing
Great video! The new LCD displays at renovated stations on the DC Metro, and the internal screens of the 7000 series are pretty good for a US system!
I hope the REM will have the new Vancouver-style signs.
Especially that a train can have 3 different destinations. Including the airport, so they have to be very legible and intuitive for tourists.
Though the layout on Paris lines 7 and 13 which have 2 destinations is a good solution for simplicity.
Since I’m quite sure the REM will have platform screen doors they can put lots of information.
In Singapore, (at least on the NSEWL) we show ads. But at least there are no ads on those signs in the concourse so we rarely need those at platform
I personally think that these next arrival screens are almost more useful in the context of a bus which is more likely to be delayed and more likely to leave the user out in the cold. A great addition to a bus stop could be a next arrival screen connected to bus tracking. As a piece of city infrastructure they could also be used as an emergency call service or as a way for a rider to let the system know they're waiting which could be used to better track route demand.
I'm thinking it could show ads primarily until interacted with by a button press, it could then provide the next arrival and route info, maybe even an approximate arrival at each subsequent stop.
Greg, British experience, eg in my home city of Nottingham supports your view,
I rode BART today, for the first time since before the pandemic. It struck me how many of the LEDs on the destination boards were blown, at various stations, on the signs that I'm sure were replaced barely 5 years ago.
Singapore shows both arrival times and ads on the PIDs and will occasionally switch from ad to showing the next train arrival. and Whenever a train arrives at the platform it overrides whatever ad it is showing and shows the train details
As others have mentioned, the Sydney screens shown in the video are the old screens. The new screens are far superior, Transport NSW streamlined the system to be more simplistic, clearer and high resolution. White screen with black lettering and colour coded dependent on routes. Best thing its not only used on the trains, but on the bus, light rail and ferry systems with a designated T, B, L & F lettering and colour. Same screens are also not only at the stations but inside the vehicles themselves, and has created a cohesive, easy system of wayfinding regardless of which mode of transport your in. I was amazed at it when visiting from Brisbane, kept thinking this is what we need desperately
Yes I have the images but for some reason I used the wrong file
I think most Dutch systems are pretty decent when it comes down to being clear.
In regards to metro displays, despite their grey dated look, I kinda dig the layout of the RET displays. They're long and have 3 rows of fixed-height LED matrices with a good ol' analogue clock sitting right next to them.
A row usually displays line letter, destination and minutes until departure in that order. When a metro is near the station, the minute counter will "scroll up" and display of how many metro sets the train consist of.
If a message has to be displayed, the third row will display said message in marquee style.
As for trains, the Netherlands uses a standardised system for that, mainly because stations themselves are owned by an NS subsidiary and not by the line operator, and ever since ProRail handed over the ownership of the software and infrastructure to the displays to NS, they've gotten a fair bit better and they still have more plans for them.
Dutch stations have different kind of displays of varying size, yet they are all 16:9 displays.
At the entrance of each station there are smaller displays that display crucial information for trains departing up to 60 minutes later. They display information arranged time of departure - platform - destination - most important stations the train calls at - service type - operator logo, with a small digital clock on the top right corner and announcements and messages in a yellow box at the bottom. For branch lines, this kind of display is most you're getting.
On passovers/bridges/tunnels leading to platforms there's a second type of display that shows information about the platform it relates to. Here it displays the departure time or a countdown in minutes (they cycle every 5 or 10 seconds), service type and operator logo on top, destination and detour if applicable in big text, followed by important stations it calls at.
At the bottom the next train is displayed in a blue bar, arranged time - service abbreviation - destination.
Disruptions are displayed in additional blue bars at the bottom. Those displays may or may not have an analogue clock on the side.
The displays on the platforms themselves are mostly the same as on the passovers, except larger and displaying every station the train calls at. If there's not enough room, it will slowly scroll through the stations. It also shows the amount of cars a train consists of as a diagram above the blue bar.
NS is planning on adding coloured bars to the diagrams to indicate how crowded a train is per individual car and they want to make the conductor of a train initiate a 10 second countdown.
Singapore's Downtown Line has arrival screens that show 3 trains and the congestion level of the next train.
When you mentioned ads on the wayfinding screens i was reminded of all the gas stations that will blare the most obnoxious ads possible while filling up your car.
This is a problem for anyone attempting to have any situational awareness like if someone is sneaking up on them or just listening to the gas go into the car to hear the change in pitch indicating you are now filling the spout and should stop. (Don't trust the pump kick off mechanism as like every it can fail)
Not to mention its just obnoxious to have ads blaring in your face as you try and go about your life. (Especially the generic lawyer/pharmaceutical ones that should be banned anyway)