2. About ADSS
Set up by Francesca Woolls in 2013
Digital Signage service integrator in the rail industry
Most recent project as the Programme Manager of a £3.2m Network Rail project
14 years railway experience with Network Rail, Amec, Transport for London and Metronet
Developed Digital Signage in Network Rail (noise+) from a basic local request in 2011 to
managing the delivery of over £1m of projects nationally
Francesca was a winner of a Network Rail award for ‘New Ideas’ whilst the Route IT
Manager in Wales
Established solid relationships across the industry (Network Rail, ATOC - Association of
Train Operating Companies, TOCs - Train Operating Companies and FOCs - Freight
Operating Companies)
Trusted relationships with suppliers of Digital Signage including suppliers of software,
hardware and AV installation services
4. Internal Communications
Developed noise+ (Network Operations Information System) for Network Rail which provides front-
line staff with communications which can be easily missed through outdated methods e.g. printed
notices.
The solution is now being used in 125 locations with 270 information screens
Secured funding to replace the RTPPM System (Real-Time Public Performance Measurement)
internally in Network Rail with noise+
Piloted noise+ with Southern Railways in Driver Depots
Piloted noise+ with South West Trains in Driver Depots
Spearheaded the communication tool to be installed into the new ROCs (Rail Operating Centres)
currently being built across the UK. ROCs house both Network Rail and Train Operating Companies
to run a more effective railway through an integrated approach e.g. Northern Rail, Network Rail and
East Coast are based in the York ROC
Approached by Abellio to provide passengers at remote stations with passenger information e.g.
timetables, engineering works and disruption notifications. This information can easily be updated
from a central location e.g. the ROC
Installed into Network Rail’s training facility (Westwood) as part of the £1m refurbishment project.
The solution is displayed in every bedroom through a digital data network (IPTV) similar to most
modern hotel TV solutions
6. NETWORK RAIL / TRANSPORT FOR SCOTLAND
PROJECT
DATE CLIENT
JULY 2014
COMMONWEALTH GAMES MOBILE UNITS
Edinburgh Waverley & Glasgow Central
7. Commonwealth Games Mobile Units
Joint partnership project with Network Rail, Transport for Scotland and the Commonwealth
Games Committee
Installed 14 mobile screens into Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley stations to direct
passengers during the Commonwealth Games
From original concept to full installation and operational within 10 weeks
Regarded as one of Transport for Scotland’s key investments with Network Rail in 2014
Easily transported to other locations around the Scotland Route via the rail network
Full training and support was provided
Commendations:
Lesley-Ann Cain – Programme Development Manager (Edinburgh): “the overwhelming
feedback has been that they are really great and the staff love being in the 21st century with
the screens instead of the dated A frame boards. Our Train Operating Customers speak very
highly of them too!”
Jim Gillies: Programme Development Manager (Glasgow): Fran, thanks for all the effort
you’ve put into this and for getting us the screens in time for the Commonwealth Games”
9. £3.2M programme of works to upgrade RTPPM and OIS
OIS - 275 stations with 475 screens
RTPPM - 186 Network Rail operational locations with 283 screens
To improve how Network Rail provide information to passengers and their employees, via a system with
improved functionality to the systems in place
Support the introduction of more frequent and easily edited video content in addition to the ‘still’ content
already on display
Fully supported and monitored 24/7 by Scala who are a reputable global company with rail experience
across Europe
Provide passengers and employees with a redesigned RTPPM page which will display exactly how the
industry is performing at any given time
Provide station staff with the ability to to update passengers more rapidly during incidents and disruption
using a number of mobile devices e.g. iPhone, iPad, Android
Reduce support costs in comparison with the current solution provider
Replacement of damaged or out of warranty hardware
Provide the option to use Wi-Fi or 3G where we have problem ADSL connections
OIS and RTPPM Upgrade
11. Latest figures from the ORR have determined that in 2013 – 2014 1.3bn rail passenger
journeys were made across England, Scotland and Wales
There are 2,533 railway stations across the UK but only 275 stations have passenger
information using OIS
This solution is more economical than CIS which provides train departure and arrival
information via an old dot matrix / mainframe solution
To provide better passenger information during disruption is a key objective for TOCs after
the revision of their codes of practice
Passenger information is a key aspect of rail franchise bids
Proven mobile solution designed using 3G and wi-fi readily available through established
partnerships
Already approached by Abellio to enable them to improve their passenger communications
in Northern Rail stations. Abellio operates public transport services across Europe, both bus
and rail networks with Northern Rail managing 462 stations
Interest from Serco after seeing the mobile units in Edinburgh Waverley
As the solution is mobile, ADSS see the possibilities of installing the solution onto trains to
provide local and real-time communications. This could include local advertising and train
running information pinpointed through on-board GPS
Passenger Communications
