Innovative public transport systems will be on display at InnoTrans 2018

Credit: InnoTrans

Across the globe the public transport sector has been expanding significantly for many years. In 2017, according to the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV), in Germany alone approximately 10.4 billion people used public transport, 140 million more than in 2016. And usership is expected to continue increasing. From 18-21 September at InnoTrans 2018, the Public Transport segment will mirror these developments.

More than 400 exhibitors will be displaying their latest IT, fare management, radio and telecom products as well as software, ticketing and transport management solutions on a display area totalling 22,000 square metres.

Some exhibitors will be focusing on digital connectivity again, demonstrating how customers can be provided with quick access to every form of transport in a matter of seconds.

It is possible that waiting in line for a ticket machine and booking fares over the Internet may soon be a thing of the past. Using GPS, a smartphone app can now automatically purchase a ticket when a passenger boards public transport and will calculate the fare at the end the trip. FAIRTIQ AG, exhibiting in Hall 2.1, Booth 104, already has 21 partners in Switzerland as well as customers in Austria, Germany and the Netherlands who are implementing a similar system.

Scheidt & Bachmann, who are exhibiting in Hall 2.1, Booth 203, also has experience in ticketing systems. “The FareGo Suite is certain to be a highlight of the trade fair. It is our response to the market’s ID-based ticketing needs,” said International Sales Director, Sebastian Borowski. Features include real-time, system-wide processing, fair price adjustment and customer-friendly services for automatically finding the cheapest fares.

Many other companies will be exhibiting at the trade fair with a focus on digitisation. Rail Vision from Israel markets will showcase a vital component for driverless trains with optical and thermal sensors installed on the locomotive that can detect obstacles such as animals, rocks or trees even in bad light conditions.

With its GMV Planner, GMV is presenting a tool for optimising operation and maintenance of transport vehicles. Their ‘deepsy’ on-board platform allows third-party suppliers to design their own programmes for existing devices. “Public transport needs to become sustainable and universally accessible to customers,” said Iker Estébanez, GMV’s Head Of Business Development. “We are contributing to this development with innovative solutions, our eco-driving system for instance, which helps the driver to save energy and reduces operators’ OPEX costs.”

On 20 September, transport operators and experts will be, together with the audience, discussing new forms of transport and the challenges for IT. The new International Bus Forum will discuss the use of electric buses in public transport and to what extent urban bus services can contribute to cleaner air and protect the environment.

Organised by the German Transport Forum (DVF), the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV), the Union of the European Railway Industry (UNIFE) and the German Railway Industry Association (VDB), the InnoTrans Convention at the Palais am Funkturm will examine cross-border rail links, innovative climate protection measures, the quality of customer and mobility services and the overall conditions for improving public transport in rural areas.

Compared to a few years ago the importance of public transport has increased and today it stands for ecological awareness and practical transport. The Bus Display in the Summer Garden, which is very popular with bus manufacturers, will be showcasing the latest bus models. Trade visitors will be able to view eco-friendly electric buses being driven on a 500m demonstration course. Exhibitors will include Alstom, Ebusco, Linkker, Solaris and VDL.