# Towards the Internet of Smart Trains:
## 6 IoT-Enabled Services: From More Efficient Operations to New Business Models
### Information
#### 6.3.1 Passenger Information System (PIS)  
PIS is a key communications link between operators and passengers. PIS represents an electronic operating tool that provides, at any given time, visual and acoustic information to passengers on a route, both automatically or programmed manually. PIS includes real-time train tracking, route information and scheduling, travel planning, passenger infotainment (real-time HD video for entertainment or business, video conference, live broadcast), and online connectivity solutions. Along with system safety and reliability, the ability of the operators to provide accurate and useful information (i.e., departure/arrival times), and more comprehensive services, as well as the feeling of being in control or participating, is a key component of passenger satisfaction. PIS architecture spans across three different environments: rails, fixed installations such as stations and depots, and a centralized control center. This architecture is shared with the security, control and monitoring, and network functionalities. A wireless or wired connection is used for communication between the display device, the station computer, and the main server. The current position of trains is transferred to the relevant computer stations through the main server, where data are displayed, and new data for next stops can be calculated. The TCC is used for controlling and monitoring the trains. A PIS example could be a trip planner application that could recommend the fastest or most comfortable trip, showing live train times, available car parking or passenger loading. Passengers will make informed choices about what option will provide them with the best experience according to their personal preferences (i.e., whether it is more important to have the shortest trip time, or to reserve a seat). The inclusion of historic data will enable the evaluation not only for a current trip, but also in a predictive way for a trip planned in the future. The combination of passenger loading information from trains with social networking applications will help to spread demand peaks [106]. For example, this can be achieved by offering the most efficient passenger exit considering the loadings of other inbound trains. In the case of interoperable tickets (valid for metro, buses, and bikes), intermodal travel could be encouraged by providing seamless connections to other modes [107]. Moreover, fusing status information from diverse on-board public-facing assets such as toilets, chillers and ovens, and presenting it to service organizations with current positional information, can improve the customer experience and reduce the penalty costs associated with having these assets out of service. Toilets can be automated to reduce costs and provide better service to the passengers. Currently, most operators are no able to determine in real time the state of toilets without performing a manual checking. Regarding the food, it could be replenished at a station if information about the items sold are available in real time. Furthermore, to avoid problems with the refrigerators, which cannot be in service constantly, temperature might be monitored and controlled remotely. Traditional hand-held ticketing systems are being updated slowly to more sophisticated solutions that alleviate the crowdedness and ease the passenger trip. Furthermore, considering that several smart cards used in public transportation present faults [39; 40], innovative solutions are emerging, like electronic ticketing systems that use QR codes, RFID and NFC [108], and even ticket-free solutions, like the pilot, due to begin in July 2017, between the UK-based rail operator Chiltern Railways and the travel technology company SilverRail Technologies [109]. Such a pilot will use Bluetooth sensors that activate an geolocation tracking app used to open ticket gates and determine the trips performed. In this case, the customer is billed at the end of the day with a best-value guarantee ensuring they are charged the appropriate fare for their trips.