On-board Passenger Information Display equipment on Class 345 trains
Request ID: FOI-2794-2324 Date published: 04 December 2023
You asked
I would like to know:
* The hardware specifications of the on-board overhead passenger information display itself, including but not limited to, dimensions, refresh rate (technical rate in Hz or fps, not how frequently new information is shown), etc.
* The hardware specifications of the device powering/controlling the on-board overhead passenger information display, including but not limited to, CPU, RAM, OS, etc.
* How information is transmitted to the on-board overhead passenger information display, including but not limited to, the API/data source (if not public then just a rough explanation of who operates/controls the data source)
* Whether there are currently any plans to improve/upgrade/overhaul the current on-board overhead passenger information displays
Many thanks.
We answered
TfL Ref: 2794-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 6 November 2023 asking for information about the Passenger Information Display equipment on Elisabeth line trains.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. You asked for:
The hardware specifications of the on-board overhead passenger information display itself, including but not limited to, dimensions, refresh rate (technical rate in Hz or fps, not how frequently new information is shown), etc.
We can advise that the display area is 700mm x 130mm, whilst resolution is 1920 x 358 pixels.
There is an up to 30 Frames per Second (fps) refresh rate.
The hardware specifications of the device powering/controlling the on-board overhead passenger information display, including but not limited to, CPU, RAM, OS, etc.
This information is exempt under section 43(2) as disclosure of these hardware specifications would, or would be likely to prejudice our commercial interests, as well as those of our manufacturer.
The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, but in this instance the public interest in ensuring that we are able to work with manufacturers to obtain the best possible products outweighs the general public interest in increasing transparency of our processes.
How information is transmitted to the on-board overhead passenger information display, including but not limited to, the API/data source (if not public then just a rough explanation of who operates/controls the data source)
Track and route information is stored in an on-train database. The TfL live status screen is the only live information fed to the train; this comes from an Open Access API, which can be accessed via the following link: cloud.tfl.gov.uk/trackernet/linestatus
Whether there are currently any plans to improve/upgrade/overhaul the current on-board overhead passenger information displays.
There are no plans to change the on-board overhead Passenger Information Displays.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Jasmine Howard FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
