PIDS in stations on the Magenta Line are also displaying the occupancy count of each coach, allowing passengers to identify which coaches are less crowded.
Ever reached a metro station and wondered which coach should I go to? Which coach will get lesser crowd? To answer these questions, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is now conducting tests on the Magenta Line to analyze the rush of passengers in each coach and display it on the Passenger Information Display System (PIDS) on the platform.
Over the years, we have seen passengers board the coach randomly. A DMRC spokesperson said that after boarding the congested people, they face problems, even though there are many other such coaches in the same metro which have lesser crowd.
Why is Occupancy Status important?
DMRC spokesperson said that due to the corona pandemic, it has also become more important to display the occupancy status of various coaches, as it is important to maintain social distance. Currently, in all metro stations, PIDS displays how long it will take for the next metro to reach a platform.
How will the occupancy count be calculated?
As part of the testing, PIDS in stations on the Magenta Line are also displaying the occupancy count of each coach, allowing passengers to identify which coaches are less crowded. An official working on the plan said that the occupancy count is calculated by a software which determines the weight of the load in each coach and compares it with the weight of an empty coach.
If the test is successful, it will be implemented on the pink line
A DMRC spokesperson said that if the testing is successful, it could be rolled out on the Pink Line of the Delhi Metro, adding that the data displayed on the Magenta Line PIDS is still under investigation. He said that our engineers are still checking its accuracy. At present, nothing can be said on how long it will take. The Magenta Line is spread over 37.46 km and runs from Janakpuri West to Botanical Garden with a total of 25 stations.
What is the purpose of this technology?
DMRC Executive Director Anuj Dayal said that the new technology is aimed at equal loading of trains and helping in maintaining social distance among passengers. Busyness will appear on the screen when the arrival time of Metro is reduced to two minutes. In two frames of 10 seconds each, the screen will display the first train’s destination as well as the arrival countdown, and in the second frame, will display the congestion from coach C1 to C6.
