Stadtwerke München GmbH (SWM) is one of the largest German communal companies that provides utilities and other public services. Münchner Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH (MVG), a subsidiary of SWM, that provides an environmentally friendly range of public transport services in Munich with subways, buses, trams and other mobility options.

SWM has a clear vision in mind: “The goal of our activities is to maintain and further develop the quality of life in Munich and the region. Beyond our basic business, we want to make Munich a digitally networked smart city of the future.” To achieve this, the company is investing in new technologies, among other things, in order to actively shape the future for Munich and the region.

City-wide passenger information with 500 high-quality TFT displays

Today, the major interchange stations served by MVG are equipped with a total of around 500 TFT displays on the platforms and in the mezzanines. Since its completion, the system has been constantly updated and further developed. The train destination displays of the “Munich model” as well as the displays in the mezzanines of the current series inform passengers about the journeys of the underground, bus and tram and display special information such as route closures in text form. The mezzanine displays are set according to direction, so that passengers are only shown the means of transport that lie in the respective direction of travel.

In addition to full HD panels, the platform displays feature in-built clocks and symbols with LED backlighting. The corporate identity of the company is reflected in the uniform structure of the housing and the design of the contents. The flexible display options of the technology are used for this effect: For example, the symbols of the individual underground lines are displayed in the corresponding colours. Furthermore, pictograms are specifically added to specific lines for better recognition.

Central control system with fault management

The central system for controlling the train destination displays for the entire city area is divided into three control areas. So if one area fails, only one third of the metro lines are affected. In addition, the control system is designed as a redundancy system: If one server fails, the system automatically switches over to the redundant second server.

In the event of a defect, the relevant error messages are sent to MVG’s fault monitoring centre. The graphical server interface enables the operator to detect faults in the components, open up the content of any display and reset any displays that are causing problems.

Train data is displayed directly from the control system on the train destination displays

The system receives train data straight from the train control system and converts this information into the data shown on destination displays in its own graphic format. In addition, the destination displays receive free text information from the IMS (information management system in the control centre) via the interface and convert this information into free text lines. The status information from the displays is sent back to the IMS via the interface.

Different displays are shown on the train destination displays: pre-announcement of the next three underground trains, detailed display of the next train shortly before arrival, free text as required (“Train ends”, “Next train track 2”, etc.) as well as an additional free text line with pictograms if required.

The technology is easy to service and sets a new standard in passenger information.

Stadtwerke München GmbH (SWM) is one of the largest German communal companies that provides utilities and other public services. Münchner Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH (MVG), a subsidiary of SWM, that provides an environmentally friendly range of public transport services in Munich with subways, buses, trams and other mobility options.

SWM has a clear vision in mind: “The goal of our activities is to maintain and further develop the quality of life in Munich and the region. Beyond our basic business, we want to make Munich a digitally networked smart city of the future.” To achieve this, the company is investing in new technologies, among other things, in order to actively shape the future for Munich and the region.

City-wide passenger information with 500 high-quality TFT displays

Today, the major interchange stations served by MVG are equipped with a total of around 500 TFT displays on the platforms and in the mezzanines. Since its completion, the system has been constantly updated and further developed. The train destination displays of the “Munich model” as well as the displays in the mezzanines of the current series inform passengers about the journeys of the underground, bus and tram and display special information such as route closures in text form. The mezzanine displays are set according to direction, so that passengers are only shown the means of transport that lie in the respective direction of travel.

In addition to full HD panels, the platform displays feature in-built clocks and symbols with LED backlighting. The corporate identity of the company is reflected in the uniform structure of the housing and the design of the contents. The flexible display options of the technology are used for this effect: For example, the symbols of the individual underground lines are displayed in the corresponding colours. Furthermore, pictograms are specifically added to specific lines for better recognition.

Central control system with fault management

The central system for controlling the train destination displays for the entire city area is divided into three control areas. So if one area fails, only one third of the metro lines are affected. In addition, the control system is designed as a redundancy system: If one server fails, the system automatically switches over to the redundant second server.

In the event of a defect, the relevant error messages are sent to MVG’s fault monitoring centre. The graphical server interface enables the operator to detect faults in the components, open up the content of any display and reset any displays that are causing problems.

Train data is displayed directly from the control system on the train destination displays

The system receives train data straight from the train control system and converts this information into the data shown on destination displays in its own graphic format. In addition, the destination displays receive free text information from the IMS (information management system in the control centre) via the interface and convert this information into free text lines. The status information from the displays is sent back to the IMS via the interface.

Different displays are shown on the train destination displays: pre-announcement of the next three underground trains, detailed display of the next train shortly before arrival, free text as required (“Train ends”, “Next train track 2”, etc.) as well as an additional free text line with pictograms if required.

The technology is easy to service and sets a new standard in passenger information.