Metrolink Information Displays - Traveler Support Equipment Functionality
Subsystem Description
'Traveler Support Equipment' provides access to traveler information at transit stations, transit stops, other fixed sites along travel routes (e.g., rest stops, merchant locations), and major trip generation locations such as special event centers, hotels, office complexes, amusement parks, and theaters. Traveler information access points include kiosks and informational displays supporting varied levels of interaction and information access. At transit stops this might be simple displays providing schedule information and imminent arrival signals. This may be extended to include multi–modal information including traffic conditions and transit schedules to support mode and route selection at major trip generation sites. Personalized route planning and route guidance information can also be provided based on criteria supplied by the traveler. It also supports service enrollment and electronic payment of transit fares. In addition to the traveler information provision, it also enhances security in public areas by supporting traveler activated silent alarms.
Functional Object: Transit Stop Information Services
'Transit Stop Information Services' furnishes transit users with real–time travel–related information at transit stops, multi–modal transfer points, and other public transportation areas. It provides transit users with information on transit routes, schedules, transfer options, available services, fares, and real–time schedule adherence. In addition to tailored information for individual transit users, it supports general annunciation and/or display of imminent arrival information and other information of general interest to transit users.
Functional Object: Traveler Fare Management
'Traveler Fare Management' provides the capability for the traveler to access and use a common fare medium for transit fares, tolls, and/or parking lot charges using a public device at or near the point of service. It accepts a service request and means of payment, verifies eligibility, calculates the amount due, collects payment, and identifies payment problems. It may be implemented using a card reader/dispenser in a point of sale device that includes a communications interface to the financial infrastructure to support payment collection and reconciliation.
Functional Object: Traveler Information Reception
'Traveler Information Reception' receives formatted traffic advisories, road conditions, transit information, broadcast alerts, and other general traveler information broadcasts and presents the information to the traveler with a public traveler interface. It includes the receiver and public display device such as a large display monitor or other public display.
Functional Object: Traveler Interactive Information
'Traveler Interactive Information' provides traffic information, road conditions, transit information, yellow pages (traveler services) information, special event information, and other traveler information that is specifically tailored based on the traveler's request and/or previously submitted traveler profile information. It also supports interactive services that support enrollment, account management, and payments for transportation services. The interactive traveler information capability is provided by a public traveler interface, such as a kiosk.