10001882The Real-Time Journey Dashboard via QR CodesClosedSmall Business Research InitiativeInnovate UKRail passengers already generate large amounts of data through ticket purchase and searches for journey details whilst on board trains. Every TOC has a strong interest in maximising commercial value from this. It could allow them to send passengers personalised and specific messages about their journey. Such messages would have even greater value if TOCs could unequivocally determine on what service a user is travelling, on what vehicle and where in that vehicle. Currently, obtaining this information relies on customers providing it. This is error-prone and customers do not like doing so. We, at Whoosh Media, are establishing a position as a supplier of entertainment systems to TOCs, able to navigate the challenges of working in the rail industry. This has highlighted the issues that TOCs face and missed opportunities in being unable to determine where someone is automatically. We recently filed a patent covering a technology to determine what vehicle a passenger is on using on-board WiFi routers. In this project, we will work with Grand Central to develop this technology further. We have also developed a system to generate unique QR codes. Our ultimate aim is for these to be placed at every station and at every seat in rail carriages. Passengers will be able to access relevant information by scanning these QR codes, without having to download an app. Post-project, we wish to build a talk-to-us function. This will enable passengers to report issues like antisocial behaviour discreetly. Critical location information will be captured automatically. Similarly, passengers can report cleaning and maintenance issues, with location information to enable staff to take action automatically captured. In combination with external datasets, the technology could greatly improve last mile travel by presenting passengers with changes in real-time. This overcomes difficulties caused by delays in multi-modal journeys that static datasets cannot. The technology will improve journeys for passengers and deliver operational efficiency for TOCs.