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Weight sensors to keep trains at ‘safe’ capacity
By E&T editorial staff    Published Tuesday, June 2, 2020

The operator of Thameslink has integrated sensors onto its trains to assist with safe social distancing in line with Covid-19 guidance outlined by the UK government.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) – operator of the Thameslink and Great Northern lines – is using technology supplied by Siemens Mobility to monitor the number of passengers on its trains, as well as supporting service operations and timetable planning to ensure commuters are keeping at the 2m-distance rule.

The technology uses train loading data based on weight and is currently being used on the Class 700 Thameslink and Class 717 Great Northern Moorgate trains operated by GTR.

“In line with government advice, our message remains to avoid public transport if you can, and the rush hour if you can’t. Anyone travelling should wear a face covering and wash or sanitise their hands thoroughly before and after travel,” said Steve White, chief operating officer at GTR. “We are seeking a partnership with our customers where we will run as many services as possible but encourage customers to apply social distancing whenever possible.”

According to its developers, data gathered by the train is fed into Siemens Mobility’s cloud-based Advanced Passenger Loading reporting. Here, the data provides both immediate information to the train control teams, as well as the ability to retrospectively analyse different routes to support ongoing scheduling and timetabling.

The report flags services where passenger loading is above 10 per cent – providing an early indicator of busier trains, and above 15 per cent – at which point safe social distancing becomes more challenging.

I believe First Kernow's app currently provides this information - or rather how many people are currently on the bus.
Done in conjunction with the ticket machine on board.
From what I've seen, the iOS app is already displaying that information.  The android update is in the process of updating.

...and if we all have to wear masks does it matter anyway? or is wearing masks actually not much use? As usual the government announcement hasn't made things particularly clear.

I can't see this being done by weighing the passengers remotely using the wi-fi thingy.

I think it will done by the driver counting passengers on and off which can be done using a mobile phone type thing.

I recall a little while arriving for the 376 to Glastonbury and on the board it said 40 minutes wait

I know it was a half hour service and thought to my self I will wait ten minutes.

Lo and behold the bus arrives at the stop.

Said to driver your not on the departure screen.

Driver said I know I have switched the tracker off.

LikeardRich the film footage showed the bus driver putting in manual those get on and getting off.

I can't see this being done by weighing the passengers remotely using the wi-fi thingy.

Driver said I know I have switched the tracker off.