The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has tested the infrastructure sector on various fronts such as healthcare, social security, transportation and digital penetration. The focus on technological upgradation over the past few years has come in handy during the lockdown, facilitating smooth provision of services while adhering to physical distancing norms. The restoration of mass transit services in the country has been easier as well as more reliable through the use of smart solutions. Metro services resumed across the country on September 7, 2020 with more dependence on information and communication technology-based solutions than ever. Metro corporations have limited the number of passengers that can travel at one time, installed foot-operated systems inside elevators to reduce surface contact and started thermal screening of passengers as well as their luggage. They have also increased the stoppage time at each station so that passengers can board and de-board the train easily without making contact with fellow commuters.
The use of automated fare collection (AFC) systems, passenger information systems (PIS), contactless body scanners, video surveillance systems, etc. is expected to ease the commute and ensure the safety of passengers. Metro corporations are following detailed guidelines for resuming services, including CCTV cameras to monitor passenger movement, and online purchase of tickets. The use of advanced technology has become a go-to solution for metro operators with the resumption of metro services, thus opening up several avenues for technology providers.
Contactless ticketing
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) was the first in the country to introduce a contactless ticketing system. The corporation uses state-of-the-art devices for AFC through contactless smart cards and smart tokens for commuters. A similar system has also been deployed in the Bengaluru metro and the Surat bus rapid transit system. The AFC systems have allowed passengers to make cashless transactions without any physical contact during the ongoing pandemic. Metros have stopped the use of tokens at stations for the time being to discourage frequent human interface for travel transactions. In view of Covid-19, the Lucknow metro has developed a cashless facility called the GoSmart card to ensure contactless travel. The card facilitates a contactless trip right from entering the metro station and boarding the train to exiting the premises. The automatic sensors of AFC gates detect the GoSmart card from a distance without the need to tap it.
Further, the use of QR code-enabled tickets that can be scanned digitally on handheld devices and mobile phones at stations further dispenses with the need for physical contact. Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has implemented contactless ticketing to ensure passenger safety. Passengers can book tickets and buy passes of their choice in the form of QR codes on the existing CMRL mobile application. This makes the entire journey completely contactless as the code is scanned by QR scanners at gates at every station for entry and exit. The application also provides other features such as rescheduling and cancellation of tickets for added convenience. The DMRC has launched QR code-based tickets on its Airport Express Line whereby commuters can book tickets using the Ridlr and Paytm mobile applications.
The use of account-based ticketing solutions has also emerged during the pandemic. The Kochi Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC) partnered with Axis Bank to launch the Kochi1 smart card for commuters in June 2020. The card automatically deducts money from the user’s bank account. The corporation has introduced the smart card to discourage the use of cash transactions. It has set up cash boxes and contactless ticket machines at each station so as to avoid the use of currency notes. For passengers who do not have a smart card, the KMRC has facilitated the purchase of tickets through cashless transactions in order to avoid any physical contact.
In another development, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC) has updated its Namma Metro application for topping up metro travel cards. The topping up of cards can be done via the application, the website or at point-of-sale machines at every station. Commuters can only use smart cards with online recharge as the BMRC has closed all counters for sale of tokens and recharge of cards at its stations.
Passenger information system
An important information technology solution being deployed at metro stations to disseminate information to passengers is electronic PIS. These systems provide train service information, general station information and commercial information at metro stations. A PIS provides information related to arrivals/ departures, delays and traffic status on a real-time basis through LED and LCD display screens and kiosks.
The Lucknow metro, for example, has a state-of-the-art telecommunication system that uses Gigabit Ethernet as the backbone for transmission. The information display screens have a double-sided display board and provide information to passengers on a real-time basis.
These technology platforms are also being used by metro corporations and the government to provide the necessary guidelines and spread awareness amongst commuters regarding the use of masks, sanitisation and maintaining a safe distance from fellow commuters while travelling.
Video surveillance
Metro corporations are taking strict measures to ensure that commuters comply with the physical distancing norms. Video analytics is being used to monitor passenger movement on a real-time basis. Metro operators are using online monitoring measures such as CCTV surveillance for crowd management at stations and on trains. The aim is to preserve the order of passenger flow and detect overcrowding at terminals and stations through video cameras from control rooms. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has also directed that trains are not to stop at stations where passengers are found violating the physical distancing norms.
Other solutions
Metro corporations have replaced conventional handheld scanners by body scanners to maintain a safe distance between security personnel and passengers during the security check. The body scanners use electromagnetic waves to generate highresolution images of unusual objects concealed under passengers’ clothing and these anomalies are then superimposed on the image of a mannequin to protect privacy. Delhi metro has deployed modified handheld and doorframe metal detectors for scanning passengers to ensure contact-free security checks. Further, the corporations have also purchased thermal scanners to check the body temperature of passengers at entry gates to contain the spread of the virus. For instance, the BMRC has purchased 45 thermal scanners to check the temperature of passengers at 40 stations. Further, the corporations are following a detailed standard operating procedure for regular sanitisation of trains and station premises. Apart from the conventional method of sanitisation with chemical disinfectants, the DMRC is planning to use ultraviolet (UV) disinfection technology to thoroughly sanitise common area touchpoints such as escalators. UV disinfectants provide rapid and effective elimination of harmful bacteria and viruses from surfaces. They are highly efficient for disinfection in mass transit systems.
The way forward
The pandemic has created significant opportunities for technology providers as operators of mass transit systems are increasingly adopting advanced technologies to ensure the safety of passengers as well as their own personnel. They have deployed additional staff members and officials to assist and guide passengers in the wake of new travel norms. They have closed token counters, limited entry and exit points, installed thermal scanners and sanitisers, displayed information on screens, etc. to enable commuters to adhere to the distancing protocols. The use of the AarogyaSetu application has been made mandatory to ensure that the spread of virus the is minimised. These technological and app-based solutions have come to the forefront during the pandemic, making travel easier and safer for commuters.
Going forward, the extent of compliance with guidelines and monitoring of passenger movement will play a crucial role in preventing the spread of Covid-19 through mass transit mediums.