Signalbox wins funding to deliver personalised live train maps
Rail tech innovator, Signalbox has secured a contract through the First of a Kind competition, delivered by InnovateUK, to deliver new tools that use geospatial visualisation to deliver personalised real-time information to train passengers.
Users of Signalbox API will soon be able to display real-time rail updates on a map in stations and embed live and interactive journey maps in apps and websites.
The innovation draws upon Signalbox’s existing journey-detection capabilities, which use GPS, real-time data feeds, and machine-learning algorithms to pinpoint and plot live train locations in Great Britain.
The new functionality will enable rail passengers to view and track train movements on a map and allow smartphone users to create a journey visualisation that can be shared with friends and family - sharing their ETA as they move. These innovative Signalbox-enabled tools can be deployed by app developers and train operating companies to provide accurate and personalised geolocation services to their users.
Kate Andrews, Signalbox Project Manager, said:
“Giving passengers access to real-time maps of their journeys is a useful and engaging way to support people as they travel. Reliable and shareable, these tools - which display status and platform updates in a more visual way, as well as enabling sharing of a live location - can leverage the power of our smartphones to provide personalised journey updates and improve the experience of rail passengers.
Live train maps are a powerful tool for train operating companies and transport applications to improve user experience. We’re thrilled that the DfT has recognised the potential of Signalbox technology to deliver this innovation and improve journeys for travellers.”
The project is funded by the Department for Transport through the First of a Kind competition, delivered by InnovateUK, to fund the development of pioneering tech and new ideas to deliver cleaner, greener, and more passenger-friendly railways. Signalbox is one of 30 winners in the government-backed scheme that will share the £9 million competition fund.
About Signalbox
Signalbox is the leading provider of rail journey-detection technology. It works with diverse transport organisations to deliver new functionality for ticketless travel, instant delay-repay, and live journey updates. Signalbox API uses geolocation data and machine-learning algorithms to deliver personalised real-time updates for rail passengers, making it easier to plan and manage journeys.