For greater safety in its trains and stations, SNCF is developing two innovative projects, called “TNI” and “SDOT”, which will offer, thanks to AI, a better experience to travelers.
After the start of the deployment of new computer signal stations with the ARGOS project, Clubic presents two other technological initiatives from SNCF, which uses video and artificial intelligence to serve the passenger experience and rail security. On the one hand, we have the TNI project, which uses AI to process video streams from stations and trains in an “ethical” way, we will come back to that. And on the other, we have SDOT, which offers travelers and the company different services and information, and is already deployed on dozens of TER trains in France.
With TNI, SNCF wants to ensure the safety of its passengers thanks to anonymized video streams
The result of three years of research and collaboration between the company’s innovation department and that of TER Grand Est, the TNI project, for “digital image processing”, is focused on the so-called “ethical” processing of flows video coming from its cameras installed in stations, trains or elsewhere.
More precisely, TNI anonymizes the customers filmed, to meet the standards of the CNIL, the data policeman, and in fact undertakes to erase all biometric data. Analysts generate, thanks to these anonymized images, useful statistics which make it possible to adjust the train offer, according to needs. For example, it will be possible to adapt the format of a train (single or double train, double-decker or not) depending on the number of people on board.
In addition to improving the train service, TNI has crucial applications in terms of security. Crowd movement detection is a functionality that seems essential to us, in that it contributes to the safety of stations and trains, with a better reaction time for authorities and law enforcement in the event of a problem.
SDOT, for a futuristic train and real-time passenger flow monitoring
Presented a few months ago at VivaTech, the SDOT solution, acronym for “Service Digital On Train”, is headed by the subsidiary SNCF Voyageurs and defines the future of rail travel. It is a unique architecture that offers true on-demand services, such as improving security with innovative video protection. We can also talk about an enriched traveler experience thanks to an information system that provides real-time data on your trip as well as Wi-Fi on board.
The automatic passenger counting system also contributes to better operational management, thanks to data provided in real time on attendance. Unlike TNI, more than 100 TER trains are already equipped with the SDOT solution in the region.
SNCF’s ambition is to continue the deployment of SDOT on a large scale. Ultimately, it should be present on nearly a thousand trains which will circulate in eleven regions of the country, as well as in Luxembourg. In any case, these innovations position SNCF as a pioneer in the integration of AI and connected technologies in improving safety, the passenger experience and operational efficiency in rail transport. Perhaps the beginning of a response to reconcile the French with the train.
Sources: SNCFClubic
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