Kochi Water Metro Technological innovations for traffic management

Kochi, a vibrant city in Kerala, India, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, historical significance, and picturesque backwaters. The Kochi Water Metro is a pioneering public water transportation initiative designed to enhance connectivity and reduce traffic congestion in the City. By utilizing the city’s extensive waterways, it offers an eco-friendly and efficient alternative to road travel. The project includes modern, air-conditioned hybrid boats, smart ticketing systems, seamlessly integrating with the existing public transport network. Mani Venkata Kumar Koribilli, General Manager/ Signal & Telecom elaborates on the innovations driving the success of the project.

Two significant technological innovations deployed in Kochi Water Metro the Integrated Transportation Management System (ITMS) and the Passenger Counting System (PCS). ITMS uses advanced technologies for streamlined scheduling, real-time tracking, and fleet management, ensuring punctual and reliable services. The PCS employs sensors and turnstile gates to accurately monitor passenger flow, aiding boat crew in capacity management and safety. These integrated systems provide comprehensive data, optimizing resource allocation and enhancing overall service quality, in establishing the Kochi Water Metro as a model of sustainable urban transport. The project is currently operational with 14 boats and 10 boat terminals. The Central Operational Control Center, situated at Vyttila, oversees entire operations.

 ITMS

The Integrated Transportation Management Systems equip each boat with a Vehicle Mounting Unit compliant with UBS-II specifications, transmitting latitude and longitude coordinates to the Operational Control Center (OCC). The OCC utilizes these coordinates to plot the boats’ journeys on Maps, ensuring real-time tracking and facilitating emergency contact with boat crews. ITMS further enhances efficiency by enabling countdown timers and pre-arrival announcements at jetties, creating a seamless metro rail-like ecosystem for commuters. Additionally, it supports emergency communications, monitors boat health parameters for operational optimization, and integrates public address systems, passenger display systems, CCTV, MCS, IPBX, access control system etc., at jetties.

Automatic Boat Location System

ABLS integrates GPS, wireless communications, and GIS mapping software to provide real-time tracking of boats within the Water Metro. This advanced system allows the operations team to monitor boat movements continuously and efficiently. By synthesizing data from ABLS, precise boat locations are communicated promptly via the public information system, ensuring passengers are informed and operations run smoothly.

Key components of ABLS include the Boat Driver Console, which serves as the interface for boat operators to interact with the system, and the Single Control Unit, centralizing management of location data. Specialized ABLS software processes and analyzes GPS signals, facilitating accurate mapping and positioning updates. This comprehensive approach enhances safety and efficiency, enabling timely adjustments to boat schedules and optimizing overall service delivery.

Operational Control Centre

Communication between OCC and boats within the Water Metro is facilitated through a robust system integrating GSM/GPRS/3G/4G mobile networks and VHF-DMR technology. The process begins with the Single Control Unit, which stores all Passenger Information System data, including GPS coordinates of stops and audio files for announcements. Using GPS data, the SCU triggers announcements and displays messages for current and upcoming stops on boat displays. Pre-configured messages can also be displayed based on schedules or events.

The SCU transmits PIS data and pre-configured messages to the PIDS display controller onboard. This controller utilizes HDMI interfaces to present information and contents received from the central server, enhancing passenger experience between stops. Additionally, it allows emergency messages from OCC to be promptly displayed on boat displays and broadcasted via onboard amplifiers.

This integrated communication setup ensures seamless information dissemination and emergency response capabilities, contributing to the efficiency and safety of operations within the Metro.

Passenger Information System

The Passenger Information System plays a crucial role in enhancing passenger experience and operational efficiency. Main Servers are located at the heart of the operational control center (OCC), the PIS utilizes a Fiber Optic Transmission System for rapid data transfer, ensuring that information reaches passengers in less than five seconds from the moment it is sent. This system supports multilingual displays & announcements across boats and terminals, providing timely updates on schedules, upcoming stops, and emergency announcements.

The Passenger Information Display System serves as the primary visual communication tool for passengers aboard the Kochi Water Metro, capable of displaying information in three languages.

The Public Address System complements PIDS, featuring amplifiers, speakers, and PAS for broadcasting critical information and emergency announcements that take precedence over regular communications. PAS equipment is strategically installed both on boats and at terminals, ensuring widespread coverage and operational reliability. Onboard boats, pre-recorded messages are triggered by geo-fencing, enhancing passenger safety and convenience.

For operational redundancy, the PAS control server application is deployed on two separate servers, enabling seamless primary and standby operations. Control equipment such as amplifiers, interface hardware, and zone control relays are housed in equipment racks, with call stations and noise-sensing microphones strategically placed for efficient monitoring and management.

The Passenger Counting System

The Passenger Counting System (PCS) implemented in the Kochi Water Metro is a sophisticated solution designed to assist the boat crew to manage and optimize passenger flow and safety across its fleet. Central to this system are turnstiles installed near gangways on each pontoon, with dedicated entry and exit turnstiles and manual swing gates for emergencies and passengers with disabilities.

The PCS architecture is robust and meticulously designed to ensure seamless operation and data integrity. The Operational Control Center (OCC) hosts primary and secondary servers, with software applications directing requests to the active server via a common IP. Local PCS systems (SERF) communicate with the OCC using specific IP addresses, facilitated through an API gateway that routes requests to the appropriate OCC service. The PCS backend service manages communication with the database, ensuring that data remains synchronized between servers. A graphical user interface (UI) service within PCS displays reports and graphical representations of passenger data, enhancing operational visibility and decision-making.

Ensuring redundancy and reliability, the PCS architecture includes redundant network cables to mitigate connectivity issues, thereby safeguarding SCR workstation operations. Boat information is transmitted from the SCR to SERF via LAN, initiating BLE tag detection for valid boats matching scheduled data. Upon verification, SERF communicates schedule details to Passenger Information System displays, automating boarding and alighting processes as per scheduled vacancies.

During boarding, automated systems manage entry until maximum capacity is reached, where boarding ceases automatically. Manual intervention options through SCR UI or permission switches ensure flexibility and control over boarding processes. Upon departure, SERF updates OCC as the boat moves to the next terminal, completing the schedule and updating data accordingly.

Provisions for handling BLE tag malfunctions include manual override options through the SCR UI, ensuring operational continuity and passenger safety. Throughout operations, alarm monitoring at both OCC and SCR facilities enhances system reliability and response times to potential issues.

 While the ITMS component was handled by Amnex Infotechnologies Pvt. Ltd, Gujarat, the PCS work was carried out by Vaaan Infra Private Limited, Haryana. The Water Metro project was carried out by AECOM consortium, with Kochi serving as the General Consultant.

In summary, the ITMS & PCS in the Kochi Water Metro work together & exemplifies a comprehensive approach to modern urban transportation management, integrating advanced technologies with meticulous planning with a vision to enhance overall commuter experience.