STIB-MIVB: Using ICT to overcome new challenges

 Pierre-André Rulmont, Vice President
Information Systems, STIB-MIVB
presented this case at the BELTUG
Member Forum on 30 September 2014.
Pierre-­‐André Rulmont, Vice President Information Systems, STIB-­‐MIVB STIB-MIVB: Using ICT to overcome
new challenges
Timely & better information for passengers, ticketing and
unmanned train operations
STIB-­‐MIVB, the public transportation operator in Brussels, is facing a growth challenge, as the government commits to investing in public transport. On a daily basis the operator already transports over 1 million passengers. In 2015, it expects to handle a total of 415 million public transport users. STIB-­‐MIVB’s growth challenge is not only about more lines, vehicles (metro, bus and tram) and depots. It also translates into three ICT challenge areas: information for passengers; subscriptions and ticketing; and unmanned train operations. Pierre-­‐André Rulmont, Vice President Information Systems at STIB-­‐MIVB explains. PASSENGER INFORMATION Improved user experience requires a robust, agile infrastructure These days, nearly every passenger has a smartphone, and STIB-­‐MIVB is finding ways to use that evolution to provide timely information for passengers, thereby improving customer service. This goes far beyond general information, such as bus stop timetables, and increasingly into customised information. “It showcases the critical role IT plays in the daily operations of transportation in Brussels.” © BELTUG 2015 “To enhance the user experience, we have built apps that provide details on a bus’s location in real-­‐time. We use social media to inform about network disturbances. We are investigating the possibility to offer free Wi-­‐Fi at bus stops and underground, so passengers can consult wait times and re-­‐routing info online. All this improves the passengers’ experience. We also have the well-­‐known travel time displays at stops, which are updated every time a vehicle stops. All this requires a robust and yet extremely agile infrastructure,” says Pierre-­‐André Rulmont. TICKETING AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
Interoperability For subscriptions, STIB-­‐MIVB uses the smartcard-­‐based MOBIB. This Belgian mobility card can be used on different networks such as STIB-­‐MIVB, TIC, De Lijn, Cambio (car rental) and Villo (city bikes). “As the card is used by various public transport operators, interoperability is key. The partners have to align their roadmaps and data, and we also need to ensure that the card can easily be recharged at shops, machines or online. In 2015 we will deploy a solution for recharging the card using an e-­‐ID reader. With the vast network of sales points, software updates can be a real challenge.” UNMANNED TRAIN OPERATIONS
Increased capacity Today, the Brussels metro network, constructed in 1976, is getting saturated. Yet STIB-­‐
MIVB must nonetheless increase capacity, using longer vehicles and more frequent trains. The way forward is unmanned train operations (UTOs). This represents both a major challenge and a major investment for the operator. By 2018 a new generation of trains will be rolled out, requiring signalisation changes. “Today at rush hour, there is a metro every 2½ minutes. We cannot go below this frequency, with the existing signalling systems. The only way to augment the frequency to one metro every 1½ minutes is to upgrade the signalling system and to implement unmanned train operation ,” says Pierre-­‐André. Implementing unmanned train operations requires the roll-­‐out of a new IT system with secure Wi-­‐Fi. Safety is key. If the connection is lost, for example, the vehicle must stop immediately. To support unmanned trains operations, some 10,000 HD cameras and gates will ensure the safety. Screening the images requires a high-­‐speed network and multi-­‐terabyte data centres. “Everything must be secure, and it is critical that we separate the train operations from the rest of our activities. This results in a high complex environment, especially when software updates are required. However it showcases the critical role IT plays in the daily operations of transportation in Brussels,” concludes Pierre-­‐André. © BELTUG 2015 Company profile STIB-MIVB is the entity that has operated
the public transportation system in
Brussels since 1990. Its management
contract with Brussels stipulate that the
operator will offer a quality public
transport network that serves its
customers.