Smart mobility, a buzzword often used, but not always appropriate… Well, this time, it seems that Hitachi Rail, proves us the opposite. Indeed, the Japanese group has announced in its latest press release the launch of 360Pass. An intelligent mobility application resulting from a partnership between the municipality and AMT, the public transport operator of Genoa. It uses artificial intelligence and Bluetooth sensors to digitally connect the entire Genoa public transport system. Focus on this technological feat designed to “encourage the transition to multimodal mobility capable of reducing the carbon footprint of travel, while limiting costs.”
The whole offer in “hands-free”
Launched under the local brand name GoGoGe, the technology behind Pass360 is actually Lumada Intelligent Mobility Management by Hitachi Rail. A suite of technological tools designed to help cities, transport operators, and passengers alike. Its objective: “Accelerate their transformation towards more accessible and sustainable modes.”
In the case of Genoa, more than 7,000 Bluetooth sensors have been installed throughout the city. In less than six months, Hitachi has connected 663 buses, 2500 bus stops, two funiculars, one historic hillside railway, the metro line used by 15 million people, 10 public lifts, and two suburban bus routes that span 50 km. These are powered by batteries, with a life span of five years.
With these sensors, 360Pass is able to track the user throughout their journey. Once a passenger begins his journey, the application connects to each sensor it encounters along the path. It records the entire multimodal trip. As soon as the user of the application gets on or off a stop, each step is perfectly identified. The same goes for the passage from a bus to a subway. An experience based on Hitachi’s “BeIn BeOut” technology, enabling the user to avoid having to buy a paper ticket. Or having to take out their phone to use the double tap system. A recognition that offers the user a completely flexible fare. At the end of the day, the application calculates and applies the “best-price fare” for the user. At 3am the next day, the user receives a receipt with the final fare.
A true mobility aggregator…
Designed to solve the problem of the first and last mile, 360Pass offers a wide range of mobility services. From the application, the user is able to pay for his parking, rent an electric car, or locate electric scooters. But also, to have access to travel information such as the planning of multimodal trips. In addition, real-time updates on transport conditions (bus congestion, for example) are available. Various functionalities to make the experience more attractive, like the MaaS application (Mobility as a Service) of level 2.
But, also a governance tool
Just like most large cities, Genoa faces the same issues: congestion, increased pollution, difficult traffic… Although this is evolving, few cities exploit innovative solutions to encourage softer mobility, both for the individual and the environment. In addition to the application, the Lumada Intelligent Mobility Management suite offers operators the ability to “connect, size and optimize, in real-time, the entire transportation network of their city.” Indeed, the installation of the various sensors offers operators “a digital twin” tracing the public transportation network and the various multimodal routes in real-time.
Deploying Hitach’s technology is a grat opportunity for both AMT and the city of Genoa to be a leader in smart mobility and test innovative technologies that will make a big difference to travel in cities around the world.
MARCO BELTRAMI, PRESIDENT AMT
Mapping allows the community to take ownership and control of a global transportation system that is difficult to control. Thus, the operators have in their possession a clear image of the customer journey. A digital representation offering the possibility of observing and controlling traffic flows in real time and peaks of heavy traffic (office departures, events, etc.). But also, to identify possible gaps causing an increase in traffic to their services.
What next, Genoa?
Having proven itself in Genoa, despite the complex combination of public transport and the geographical aspect of the city (dense, hilly and built around successive bays and valleys), the Japanese group is convinced that its technology could be applied in any city. And this, by deploying city-by-city the Pass360, in partnership with local transportation authorities and operators.” From Düsseldorf to Dubai, from Istanbul to Toronto, we can help operations connect, scale, and optimize their entire transportation network through a single platform.”
