Real-time video information for the Barcelona metro and bus network

MouTV, the new service information system through video screens promoted and managed by Metropolitan Transport of Barcelona (TMB) for your bus and metro networks, uses AOpen media players to provide travel information, news and advertising in real time.

With the thousands of passengers who travel daily on Barcelona's metro and bus network, TMB, the main public transport operator in Barcelona, wanted to offer users real-time information about public transportation along with practical and general information to enrich the trip. MouTV is the new service information system for Barcelona metro and bus users through video screens. A project that offers the weather forecast and arrival of the next train on the subway platforms, and on buses the route of the line with indication of the next stops and connections, while at the bottom of the screens messages with news about the service or corporate information are displayed.. The channel's programming also includes clips of general information and advertising., in addition to allowing updating, in real time, of incidents on the transport service and mobility recommendations.

This information system has been installed throughout the city, on underground platforms, on buses, in metro vehicles and in tourist offices. During system design, TMB wanted a powerful and reliable system to meet its main objectives. The large network of digital signage systems is powered by Digital Engine media players from Open, including the AOpen Digital Engine DE67-HA equipped with the 2nd generation of Intel Core i5 processors with Intel vPro Technology.

The challenge

TMB's desire to serve its passengers led them to continually improve the quality of the service offered to the citizens of Barcelona., to its tourists and its metropolitan area. In TMB's daily activity, to facilitate the mobility of citizens, the key factors are information and communication. In this regard, TMB has been forced to use new technologies. The objective is to offer the thousands of passengers who use public transport updated information. The real challenge lies in the need to update content in real time over a wide branched network in multiple places., both fixed and mobile. How can the system be built so that passengers instantly receive trip updates when the system is in mobile vehicles?? To make this possible it is necessary to control the entire network centrally., in addition to having excellent connectivity. Since the system must operate in a regime of 24 hours 7 days a week, The reliability of both hardware and software is also a fundamental point to consider..

Service information system

A centralized system capable of sending information in real time to the appropriate screen and place via LAN, WiFi o 3.5G. MouTV is the information system that delivers the right content at the right time across an extensively controlled network. Near the “information service” from bus or subway stops, the system can present both advertising and important general information, In the case of subway platforms, MouTV incorporated estimated arrival time and route, including the times of the next trains or buses for transfers, based on its geographical position that is recognized by the system. At the bottom of the screen there are text messages with news and corporate information.

The network's business application works in collaboration with the advertising specialist JCDecaux, which together with ONadvertising offers space for commercial promotion for a target audience. Advertisers are offered the option to select broadcast points according to the requested location. TMB has created an elaborate DOOH network using cutting-edge technologies. All broadcasts have been adjusted so that they can be broadcast on terminals, on trains and buses and can be updated without any delay. Furthermore, all systems that distribute content are configured to offer a return (feedback) constant with respect to its current operating state, allowing engineers to control hundreds of players from a single location.

Admire–Telefónica took charge of the project from a hardware and management point of view. Their challenge was the distribution of content to thousands of screens, distributed throughout Barcelona, on platforms, stations and in mobile vehicles. The centralized management system was custom designed for TMB, which allowed it to create, send and receive content from a single place. System testing is also performed at this same location where IT and support staff are ready to keep the system up and running., thus minimizing both the complexity and the effort required.

Reliable hardware solutions, powerful and ecological

TMB needed versatile hardware with excellent connectivity options, what led them to the AOpen digital engine. Thanks to their semi-industrial design, AOpen players are extremely reliable and capable of operating continuously and under a wide variety of conditions.. Besides, The compact design and ultra-small form factor of AOpen players make them easy to install in unconventional locations..

The AOpen Digital Engine DE57-HA and DE67-HA were used to power the content broadcast on platforms. These powerful editions of the Digial Engine series support the latest 2nd generation Intel Core processor family , i3, i5, i7, offering enhanced adaptive functioning and integrated visual capabilities. These models have the ability to use Intel Active Management Technology (Intel AMT). Intel AMT allows TMB staff to quickly and remotely troubleshoot many types of system issues, bringing the system back online more quickly, to maintain a high level of service to passengers. Besides, allows the user to manage, diagnose and recover system even when offline.

AOpen's Digital Engine DE2700 was installed inside buses and metro trains, with WiFI and 3G options. This entry-level multimedia player is an easy-to-install and excellent value for money solution.; with integrated processor and memory, graphics processor and Intel Atom to satisfy most digital signage applications. WiFi and 3G are an ideal combination to keep players online continuously. Content can be broadcast continuously over the 3G network connection, while terminals and platforms with integrated Wi-Fi can accelerate download capabilities. About all this, AOpen media players can handle the rigors of use in mobile vehicles and are therefore the hardware of choice for system integrator Admira-Telefónica.

Between metro and bus, more than 1.200 emission points

MouTV offers real-time information regarding transport networks, but also offers passengers news and other practical content to improve the travel experience. The system was created by TMB engineers and is capable of integrating multiple sources and custom content generation, continuous multi-zone video for different places in the transportation system with the aim of increasing the service offering and satisfying customers to improve the “TMB brand”

In total, DOOH network content can be viewed on:

More than 72 platforms equipped with projectors and large format screens and the spectacular LED video mosaic panel in the Line 1.

More than 33 Metro trains have been equipped with more than 30 screens installed per train of the Line 3.

They have currently been equipped 80 buses with up to four 19" screens″ per vehicle.

And many more who will continue with a total of 2000 screens for the end of 2012.

Solutions

Integrator: ADmira-Telefónica

Players: AOpen Digital Engine DE57-HA, DE67-HA y DE2700

Screens: Soltec

Projectors: Mitsubishi

Software management system: Admire