ANALYTICS: Icomera and Glimpse Analytics are to co-operate to offer ‘robust’ video analytics software for the real-time monitoring of passenger loadings, enabling operators and passengers to make more informed decisions based on train occupancy.
The partnership agreement follows successful trials on South Western Railway services from London to Basingstoke, Portsmouth, Southampton and Weymouth.
The companies’ video analytics system connects to a train’s existing CCTV cameras to capture, analyse and report occupancy data and generate a real-time red/amber/green status.
Passengers can see how busy individual coaches are via station information screens, a downloadable app or the operator’s website, enabling them to choose to travel at quieter times. Operators gain a better understanding of travel patterns and volumes to help with timetabling and fleet planning.
Glimpse’s onboard software runs natively on the Icomera X-Series wireless connectivity platform that is already used to support other systems such as passenger wi-fi, and can be installed ‘over the air’.
Information collected from the onboard video feeds is broken down into metadata and then fed back to software integrated into the operator’s back-office system. All data is fully anonymised, and the footage is not recorded or stored.
Noting that in most cases installation does not require on-site visits, Glimpse Analytics CEO John Price said ‘our tried and tested analytics system can also be used to monitor passengers’ adherence to safety measures, for example wearing face coverings, offering extra peace of mind’.
