Cutting-Edge Technology for Strategic Transport Hubs -
Based on 5G, AI and BIM technology at Málaga’s High Speed Train Station
Bridging the gap between passengers and station
Download The Project Factsheet
"Connecting Stations and People:" Train stations, port terminals and airports are critical pieces of national infrastructure that provide intra-country and inter-city mobility, enabling post-pandemic economic growth and providing transportation of people and goods. The digital transformation of transportation hubs will help provide a connected infrastructure that is secure, helps passenger flows, conserves energy and uses data to optimise operations and maintenance and guides future infrastructure planning.
The 5G Andalucia project, funded by the EU, and in conjunction with Vodafone and Red.es, commissioned 35 projects across a wide range of sectors to utilise the power of 5G to deliver potentially transformative benefits and applications. Ayesa, a leader in the transportation sector, worked with Spanish railway administrator Adif, Vodafone and Red.es and developed two case uses of 5G that would assist the management of the high-speed Maria Zambrano Station at Malaga and improve efficiencies in its operations and maintenance and to elevate its passenger’s experiences.
Our role: Firstly, Ayesa developed a digital twin or BIM (Building Information Model) of the station, a perfect, virtual representation of physical structures. The model uses geometrics, spatial relationships and physical structures, systems and elements to build the structure digitally, and AI is used to optimise station operations/management and to provide predictive maintenance to anticipate potential problems. The next step was input into the digital twin by means of two mobile phone apps using augmented reality and 5G; one application assists passenger guidance through the station, and another is used by Adif’s management for preventive and corrective maintenance of the station. The speed of 5G ensures that data flows back and forth instantly from both mobile phone apps into the BIM model of the station, reflecting live experiences (crowding, security incidents, accidents, passenger distress) and real-time operations and maintenance (showing a broken window as it is fixed, or a toilet has now been repaired). For the project, the Ayesa team used Unity technology to create the 3D augmented reality and BIM 360 by Autodesk.
In both applications, all building modifications and data (businesses, names, telephone numbers, timetables, etc.), are maintained in the BIM model (central point) and are automatically reflected in the app, such as a facility closed for repairs, or an incident on the track, thus enabling real-time updates.
1. The Passenger Guidance App: provides a seamless passenger experience, enabling them to use the app on their mobile phone to navigate services, ticketing desks, and platforms quickly in Augmented reality. The application allows users to move around the station and select places of interest – e.g. to eat or shop - An arrow superimposed on the real image of the device's camera directs the traveller to their destination.
Numerous benefits for passengers & rail decision-makers:
- Personalised real-time navigation paths through the station, quicker integration with other modes of transport - from train to airport,
- Quicker integration with other modes of transport - from train to airport,
- Better interaction with station facilities and commercial outlets.
- Helps guide passengers with reduced mobility, finding the most accessible routes
- Provides a live picture of passengers' journeys and wayfinding to support decisions in future infrastructure and asset development
2. The Station Maintenance App: has been designed to help make operations and maintenance efficient, cost-effective and safe.
It allows facility managers of the building to monitor a wide range of services (water, electricity, lifts, etc.), and access the building’s 3D BIM model in real-time, as well as useful documents (maps, manuals, etc.). With this application, the worker is clear about what work needs to be done and the manager knows when it is completed.
Benefits for the Station Operators and Managers:
- From a resourcing viewpoint, staff are now provided with a daily updated list of preventative and corrective maintenance tasks which is more efficient than manual inspection and walkthroughs.
- It improves workflow assignment in real-time: including routine preventive maintenance tasks, incidents and last-minute breakdowns.
- The Health & safety of employees is improved as the inspector can integrate with the different systems of the station through augmented reality.
- The app includes digital instruction manuals for each system or element (that are always up to date). When works are completed, the virtual twin updates in real-time.
- The digitization of these maintenance tasks saves paper, typically used maintenance reports and procedures, helping transport hubs to reduce their carbon footprint.
- Station security is improved as the technicians have access to the security incidents and breakdowns to be solved, and automatic updates provide better security for passengers and staff.
Innovation and Value
Station managers, council planners, designers and builders of transport infrastructure such as airports, port terminals and train stations demand a high return on the value of their investment. Combining 5G applications with the BIM model, data flows back and forth, to build and measure value by bridging the gap between station and passenger.
Return on Investment: This technological innovation can also provide real-time updates on building health metrics and KPIs, including air quality, facility usage, station occupancy as well as compliance with regulations. This can allow operators to quickly address issues should the readings shift out of acceptable range and manage compliance. There are numerous other applications and test cases for this technology, with potential for energy, architecture, aerospace, tourism and food industries. Moreover, the innovation covers the entire lifecycle of the facility, from its design to operations and maintenance and redevelopment.
"By combining 5G apps in augmented reality, and building AI into a digital twin/ BIM model, this technology builds value by bridging the gap between station and passenger; it provides real-time updates on building health metrics and KPIs, including air quality, fire inspection, facility usage, station occupancy and compliance with regulations to provide a connected station, with connected passengers."
Ayesa - Project Manager
.png)
