In December 2018, a "Sound Trial" was conducted along the moving walkway at Waterloo Underground Station. 1) What was the purpose for this trial? 2) Did the trial achieve what it was supposed to? What was found out from the trial? 3) Are there any future plans to use these facilities - as in, music along moving walkways or in passageways?

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TfL Ref: 2922-1819

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 8 February asking for information about ‘Waterloo Sound Trial’.

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. Your request and our responses are as follows:

In December 2018, a "Sound Trial" was conducted along the moving walkway at Waterloo Underground Station.

1) What was the purpose for this trial?

In 2018 we conducted two Sound Trials at the Waterloo Underground Travellator.  One in September and one in October.  The purpose was to determine the viability of adding sound to enhance advertising.  We undertook the trials to determine how this would impact customers, station staff and advertisers with the potential long term vision of charging advertisers to use this space, raising additional revenue for TfL to invest in its services.

2) Did the trial achieve what it was supposed to? What was found out from the trial?

We conducted customer research and worked with a number of organisations including disability groups to understand how sound could be used.  Stations staff also provided feedback.  Overall the response was positive and we are now looking to develop guidelines on the use of sound alongside future advertising.

3) Are there any future plans to use these facilities - as in, music along moving walkways or in passageways?

We will be conducting one further trial in 2019 at Waterloo, once we have an advertiser who has suitable music to support their creative.  The output from these three trials will then be evaluated to determine viability on a longer term basis

If this is not the information you are looking for, 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

Sara Thomas

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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