WM-ELISA II of Wenzel Elektronik creates the conditions for centralized and automated announcements at all stations
By the end of 2013, all stations of the Berlin S-Bahn network will be equipped with modern customer information technology to improve passenger information. The principal is the DB Station&Service AG as part of the consolidated project BIS (Operation and Information System Berlin S-Bahn) of the Deutsche Bahn.
The comprehensive acoustic irradiation of the S-Bahn network is part of the comprehensive passenger information system for the 168 train stations in Berlin and Brandenburg. The centrally controlled IP public address (PA) system WM-ELISA II provides the acoustic information for passengers on the platforms and enables uniform announcements at all stations.
At the end of November, the 100th station – the Karl-Bonhoeffer-Psychiatric Hospital breakpoint on line S25 – was already equipped with the latest PA technology. Together with the new digital, real-time controlled scoreboards, this is a milestone towards reliable customer information: Voice over IP on all platforms.
Christian Pech, responsible project leader in the consolidated project, was very pleased with the results. “The group PA is really a highlight. It allows a simultaneous live announcement on the affected stations performed by centralized agencies, for example, to announce operational restrictions in the movement of trains. And I’m thrilled every time with the outstanding results. The announcements sound extremely clear and are very well to understand for the travellers.”
There is a complex high-performance technology behind this, which ensures that the announcements are passed up to the PA systems via different network types and gateways. By using standard IP communications technology, both low-cost network components can be utilised and low transmission cost can be achieved. Already, the technical requirements are met to perform announcements in the Berlin S-Bahn network from a central location. Also local PA options to the use of mobile phones for the PA are technically feasible.
The PA system WM-ELISA II is open to various types of announcements, for example:
- automatic announcements, initiated by the connected passenger information system via IP network
- live announcements from centralized agencies, with priority control
- announcements with cyclic iteration that had been recorded earlier at central locations
Following the successful implementation of the first two project phases, Wenzel Elektronik got the contract for the 3rd and final phase, at the end of 2012. This is a renewed sign of confidence towards the company due to the work done so far. The 3rd phase provides, inter alia, the connection to a voice alarm system (VAS).
S-Bahn Berlin GmbH was founded in January 1995 and is now a subsidiary of DB Regio AG, where all suburban trains of Deutsche Bahn AG are summarized. More than 3,000 employees provide a comprehensive train-offer in the Berlin-Brandenburg region. The 15 lines use a route network of 330 km and are currently operating at 166 train stations. According to the company the S-Bahn Berlin carries more than 380 million passengers per year and up to 1.2 million on weekdays – and this is rising.
