The project will develop a cloud-based information management solution that will provide passengers with a 'Single Truth’ of data across on-platform customer information displays and mobile devices. It will provide passengers with more details about their journey including predicted train capacity, timetable information and variations, delays, train facilities and journey planning options to help them make informed choices and have a better experience whilst travelling the UK rail network. The project will overcome existing challenges to data availability and integration from multiple sources. Building on learning from airports and Blackbox Company DCIS (digital customer information screen) development with Abellio, it will develop & demonstrate a proof-of- concept version of the 'Single Truth' solution. This will be used to assess benefits to station operators, evaluate scalability & commercial viability, and establish next steps to the development of a full commercial solution. The project is led by Samsung Data Systems Europe, supported by Fujitsu and SMEs Blackbox Company & TDC. Abellio will provide the use case (Darwin data streams, locations for pilots and assessments).

Blackbox CIS is a cloud-based information management and display solution that frees transport hub operators, bus and ferry terminus, railway stations, from the restrictions of traditional PC driven Customer Information System (CIS) solutions that rely on desk-based staff. It addresses the lack of flexibility of current CIS systems to enable CIS delivery to remote stations and will encompasses the capabilities of several individual application currently used Blackbox CIS primary aims are: (1) to make a customer’s journey better by making information accessible, personalised, engaging and consistent across their journey and (2) to enable operators to remote monitor and control devices that simplifies delivery of operational and mixed media information without costly infrastructure and maintenance costs, whilst reducing carbon footprint and the associated carbon cost. Blackbox CIS builds on developments and implementations in the civil airport sector. However, the railway sector presents a drastically different set of challenges and requirements. The proposed project will enable us to work closely with rail stakeholders to establish requirements and challenges, to develop a demonstrable Proof of Concept in a live station setting for the Blackbox CIS and to develop plans and business models for commercialisation and roll-out.