Passenger Assist Railway Display System

The Passenger Assist Railway Display System (PARDS) is a passenger information system deployed on the Manila Light Rail Transit System. Developed by Filipino technology company TrackMate Business Solutions,[1] the system was formally unveiled on May 5, 2017, initially being installed on LRT Line 2 (LRT-2).

History

PARDS was created amid complaints from LRT passengers that they are unaware of what's going on while riding the system,[1] with a lack of information displays among one of their major complaints.[2]

The system was unveiled on May 5, 2017, with the system being installed on one LRT-2 train.[3] By June 2017, all ten active train units were fitted with the system, with some 400 LCD monitors installed system-wide.[1] Installed at no cost to the national government, PARDS is funded through advertising.[1]

Although initially deployed on LRT-2, TrackMate also presented the system to the Light Rail Manila Corporation, the operator of LRT Line 1 (LRT-1), eliciting a positive reaction.[1] TrackMate also claimed that there is interest in deploying PARDS internationally, as well as that there is potential in deploying it as a suitable low-cost alternative to traditional railway signalling systems.[1]

Technology

PARDS uses GPS technology to determine a train's speed, location and other important information,[1] which helps determine a train's arrival and departure time.[3] Information from the train is uploaded to the cloud, which is then transmitted back to the train.[4]

Each PARDS-equipped LRT-2 train has been fitted with 40 LCD monitors which not only shows the train's location, but also news, public service announcements, passenger traffic and entertainment.[5] The system is also capable of transmitting real-time information when circumstances require, such as in an emergency.[2]

PARDS also has a mobile component, where real-time train information can be accessed through a mobile application to be developed as part of the project's second phase, as well as a backend which allows the Light Rail Transit Authority to monitor train performance and passenger loads in real time.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Dela Cruz, Roderick T. (September 2, 2017). "Filipinos tap GPS to change rail system". Manila Standard. Philippine Manila Standard Publishing, Inc. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  2. 1 2 Manabat, Jacque (May 5, 2017). "LRT-2 unveils 'PARDS' for passengers". Business Nightly. ABS-CBN News Channel.
  3. 1 2 Nano, Joan (May 5, 2017). "New system can determine arrival and departure time of LRT-2 trains". UNTV News and Rescue. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  4. ↑ Ignacio, Reicelene Joy (May 6, 2017). "LRT passengers get real-time news onboard". The Manila Times. Manila Times Publishing Corporation. Retrieved March 27, 2018 – via PressReader.
  5. ↑ "Passenger Assist-Rail Display System at LRT-2 to come in the near future". Philkotse.com. May 8, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
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