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C. Nader, K. Schechtner, A. Millonig:
"Swift, safe and seminal: Innovative passenger information and guidance systems in large infrastructures";
Talk: CORP 2008, Wien; 05-19-2008 - 05-21-2008; in: "REAL CORP Proceedings / Tagungsband", Eigenverlag des Vereins CORP (Competence Center of Urban and Regional Planning), (2008), ISBN: 978-39502139-4-2; 12 pages.

In recent years, a growing number of people have been utilising transport nodes on a frequent basis, with less and less time available for wayfinding, orientation and the gathering of information. Incidentally, the request for targeted and reliable information systems is immanent and ever increasing. Proceeding urbanisation and the gradual permeation of technology in our society have had a major impact on the transformation of transport hubs to venues of knowledge transfer and innovation. Hence, core transport infrastructures (e.g. railway stations) have gained significantly in importance as providers of platforms for the exchange of information and the implementation of innovative technologies. However, as for the issue of clear communication and design patterns, the practical implementation of innovative and all-inclusive guidance-, information- and orientation technologies has been largely disregarded in Austria.
The main points of interest are, therefore, the following: Which state-of-the-art technologies in terms of passenger information exist, and are they implemented successfully within the national and internatioal transport systems? Furthermore, which technological trends and future prospects can be anticipated?
In this paper, we present the main results of a study which aims at the provision of a technology screening and foresight regarding innovative information systems. Thus, recommendations on the further, prospective research into the improvement of accessibility, availability, security and reliability of innovative information technologies and designs are made. The examination method thereby includes an extensive analysis of relevant literature as well as national and international on-site case studies, including the UK (London) and Switzerland (Zurich).
Important findings involve the necessity to dramatically increase the usage of available technologies, such as inductive loops or barrier-free information terminals. These are not implemented sufficiently in national and international infrastructures, which results in adverse effects for a majority of passenger groups. In accordance with the concept of universal design, the presented solutions for the impartment and illustration of information are of advantage for a majority of passengers, ranging from the physically and sensory impaired to families, tourists and the elderly. Regarding innovative technologies, an emphasis is put on wireless guidance systems based on RFID, WIFI or cellular networks, as for example applied in Gullmarsplan/Stockholm. In particular, wireless technologies are of benefit for vision impaired people. However, as the case study shows, application can be extended to the usage for on-site personnel, supplying up-to-date information when required. Finally, an overview of future key research topics, such as the analysis and simulation of group specific behaviour, ambient intelligence and accessible evacuation systems, is provided.