Metro trains to have digital display route maps

The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has proposed installing digital display screens in all its 52 trains for providing visual and audio broadcasting of automatic route-related information and advertisements.

The CMRL has invited bids for the execution of the proposed project called RAVIS (Route related Audio and Visual Information System) inside the train to meet all the route-related announcement requirements of existing corridors of CMRL Phase-1 project along with the new extension of Phase-1. As per the proposal, the new digital route map would display pictographic or video content with audio on the route related information.

The new system would be synchronised with the existing two frontal LED dot matrix displays and eight internal LED dot matrix displays in each train with the required route and announcement related information. Apart from the route related info, the DRMs would also display advertisements without audio. A CMRL official said that DRMs would display direction of travel, current dynamic location of the train, current Metro station, approaching station, important landmark areas near to stations in geographical map view, complete route of CMRL network and location mapping and any other important information. Besides, it will display ambient train data such as running speed, temperature, humidity and others.

K Saravanan, a regular commuter from Tirumangalam to Nandanam, said that such digital route maps would be useful for the commuters. “The Metro should also improve signage indicating the direction to the stations from the surrounding areas. In the stations, the passengers should also be guided to proper exits so that they could avoid physical crossing of the main roads,” he said.