Procedure for influencing a passenger transport

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for influencing passenger transport by a mass transit vehicle, wherein the method comprises the following steps: - Recording at least one body parameter of at least one passenger traveling on a passenger trajectory using a mass transit vehicle, by means of a sensor and providing the recorded body parameter to an evaluation unit, - Determining an emotional state indicator of at least one passenger as a function of at least one body parameter using the evaluation unit, - Determining transport-related information of the public transport vehicle along the passenger trajectory of the passenger in question and providing this transport-related information to the evaluation unit, - Correlating the emotional state indicator of at least one passenger with the transport-related information along the passenger trajectory in question, and - Influencing passenger transport depending on the correlation of at least one passenger.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for influencing passenger transport of a mass transit vehicle.

[0002] Mass transit systems, such as trains (local and / or long-distance), public transport (subway, light rail), commercial aircraft, and ships, are an efficient means of passenger transport. They typically transport a large number of passengers using a single mode of transport, thus saving infrastructure resources and reducing per capita energy consumption compared to private transport. Intermodal passenger transport further combines different modes of transport to ensure passengers reach their desired destination. This can involve, for example, the use of connecting trains or the combination of long-distance and local transport.

[0003] Passenger transport using public transportation doesn't always run smoothly. Especially in intermodal transport, a delay on the first mode of transport can mean that the desired connecting service is missed. This leads to disproportionate delays for individual passengers and significant frustration for those affected.

[0004] User experiences in passenger transport, particularly during disruptions to public transport services, are currently assessed ex-post using questionnaires. For this purpose, a sample of users or passengers are randomly selected and interviewed about the service they used. This survey, which is usually conducted days after the public transport experience, is subsequently heavily influenced by subjective evaluations that differ significantly from an objective assessment of the situation. Due to the time lag between the experience and the user experience survey, intervention in the existing negative situation is impossible, thus entrenching the negative experience in passengers' minds regarding future use of public transport.

[0005] WO 2020 / 081 576 A1 discloses the use of information to influence a passenger. This information can be static data, such as the starting point and destination. However, the data can also include the passenger's biological parameters. This data is then compared with predefined thresholds to determine whether or not the passenger should be offered a special entertainment program during the journey. The type of entertainment offered is also determined.

[0006] The German patent applications DE 10 2020 200 252 A1 and DE 10 2019 208 957 A1 are very similar in content and reveal the manipulation of the vehicle's controls to reduce passenger discomfort. This involves monitoring the passenger's vital signs and adjusting the vehicle's controls if certain thresholds are exceeded.

[0007] German patent DE 10 2016 207 447 A1 discloses a method for passenger assistance in vehicles, in which a passenger's vital parameter is recorded and, based on this, an activity recommendation is determined and presented to the passenger. Each vital parameter is assigned a limit value, and when this limit value is exceeded, an activity recommendation is selected that is associated with the vital parameter. The driving dynamics can then be automatically adjusted according to the activity recommendation.

[0008] German patent DE 10 2014 219 692 A1 discloses a method for detecting conditions inside a vehicle intended to transport multiple passengers. The interior is monitored to detect potentially dangerous situations for the passengers.

[0009] US Directive 2021 / 0303831A1 discloses the monitoring of passengers using a camera, with abnormalities being detected through image recognition. Based on this, products or services are then selected and displayed on a platform.

[0010] The CN 1 15 905 727 A discloses the display of information along a route. This involves determining the passenger's direction of gaze and emotional state, and assessing whether information about the surroundings in their line of sight is available. If so, this information is displayed.

[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved method for passenger transport which can counteract a negative traffic situation.

[0012] The problem is solved according to the invention using the method according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the corresponding dependent claims.

[0013] According to claim 1, a method for influencing passenger transport by a mass transit vehicle is proposed, wherein the method comprises the following steps: - Recording at least one body parameter of at least one passenger traveling on a passenger trajectory using a mass transit vehicle, by means of a sensor and providing the recorded body parameter to an evaluation unit, - Determining an emotional state indicator of at least one passenger as a function of at least one body parameter using the evaluation unit, - Determining transport-related information of the public transport vehicle along the passenger trajectory of the passenger in question and providing this transport-related information to the evaluation unit, - Correlating the emotional state indicator of at least one passenger with the transport-related information along the passenger trajectory in question, and - Influencing passenger transport depending on the correlation of at least one passenger.

[0014] According to the invention, it is proposed that at least one body parameter of at least one passenger is recorded by means of a sensor, preferably worn on the passenger's body, and transmitted to an evaluation unit. Preferably, more than one body parameter is recorded and transmitted to the evaluation unit for each passenger. It is also advantageous if the body parameters of several passengers are recorded and transmitted to the evaluation unit, particularly anonymously, for a given means of public transport. It is not absolutely necessary that the passengers for whom the body parameters are recorded are all in a specific means of transport at the same time.

[0015] Subsequently, an emotional state indicator of at least one passenger is determined using the evaluation unit, depending on at least one body parameter. This indicator reflects the emotional user experience or perception while using public transportation along the passenger trajectory. Such an emotional state indicator can, in particular, consist of multiple sub-indicators that, based on the measured body parameters, indicate such an emotional user experience or perception at discrete time intervals.

[0016] Now, for the respective passenger trajectories of the passengers in question, for whom such an emotional state indicator was determined from the recorded body parameters, transport-related information for the public transport system is determined. This transport-related information pertains to those means of transport used by the passengers whose emotional state indicator was determined while the body parameters were being recorded.

[0017] This transport-related information includes details about the means of transport used, such as timetable information, traffic information, and / or location information. In particular, the timetable information, combined with the traffic information, which especially includes undesirable or unexpected deviations from the scheduled timetable, is of interest for obtaining information about special circumstances during passenger transport.

[0018] Using the evaluation unit, passengers' emotional state indicators are correlated with transport-related information along their respective trajectories. This allows for the assignment of corresponding emotional state indicators to the transport-related information along the passenger trajectory. If such an emotional state indicator consists of multiple sub-indicators, each uniquely identifiable by a corresponding timestamp, these sub-indicators can be assigned to the corresponding transport-related information within the same time period. This results in a correlation between the emotional user experience or perception of the journey and the corresponding transport-related information, thus linking these data points.

[0019] Based on this, passenger transport for one or more passengers can then be influenced depending on this correlation, for example by taking measures to improve the well-being of many passengers or to improve the well-being of at least the passenger for whom such an emotional state indicator and a corresponding correlation have been determined.

[0020] Such measures could, for example, involve offering individual travelers specific services that enhance their travel experience and positively influence their emotional perception. It is also conceivable that the measures could directly affect the mode of transport itself, thereby improving the emotional experience for other passengers using that transport at a later time along the same route.

[0021] With the aid of the present invention, it is thus possible to directly correlate the emotional stress of one or more passengers with corresponding transport-related information based on body parameters at a later time, without the use of questionnaires, in order to specifically link events impairing the travel experience with the emotional stress and thus be able to initiate targeted measures to improve the travel experience for the passenger concerned or for subsequent passengers.

[0022] This involves capturing and linking real-time information from both the means of transport and the passengers in order to intervene accordingly, especially before the journey ends for the passenger in question.

[0023] According to one embodiment, it is provided that passenger transport is only affected when the determined emotional state indicator is above or below a certain threshold.

[0024] According to one embodiment, it is provided that, in order to influence passenger transport, additional transport-related and / or trajectory-related information is determined for the passenger for whom the emotional state indicator has been determined and displayed on a mobile device of the passenger.

[0025] Such transport-related and / or trajectory-related information can, for example, include information about delays of connecting services or alternative transport options, in order to reduce waiting times for connecting services in the event of delays, particularly in the case of an intermodal connection, and thus improve the experience.

[0026] An unexpected event during passenger transport can negatively impact the user experience, leading to a negative perception of the journey. Displaying transport-related and / or trajectory-related information tailored to the individual passenger's trajectory and connected to the unexpected event can mitigate this negative perception and improve comfort for the affected passenger.

[0027] According to one embodiment, it is provided that, in order to influence passenger transport, alternative courses of action are displayed on a mobile device of the passenger.

[0028] Such alternative courses of action could include, for example, being connected to a human assistant via the mobile device to receive assisted recommendations. These alternatives could also include suggestions for booking alternative connecting services or compensation, such as vouchers redeemable at the transfer station.

[0029] Responding to the combination of problem and measured emotional state avoids unnecessary customer outreach and reduces costs associated with actionable actions, as these are only offered to those genuinely interested. Enhancing the user experience in this way has the potential to influence future transportation choices in favor of the service provider.

[0030] According to one embodiment, it is provided that one or more transport parameters of the mass transit vehicle used are changed in order to influence passenger transport.

[0031] It is conceivable that routes for mass transit could be changed, for example, if it is found that passengers repeatedly have negative experiences at certain points along their journey. It is also conceivable that the speed could be reduced on certain sections of the route if it is found that high speeds on these sections increase dissatisfaction, as can be deduced from the correlation.

[0032] According to one embodiment, it is provided that at least one body parameter is recorded by at least one mobile device worn by the passenger, into which the sensor is integrated.

[0033] Such a device with at least one sensor could be, for example, a smartphone, a smartwatch, or sensor glasses. This would advantageously allow the recording of bodily parameters such as skin temperature, skin conductance, blood volume pulse, oxygen saturation, eye movement, and / or an electroencephalogram.

[0034] The invention is explained in more detail using the accompanying figure as an example. It shows: Fig. 1. Schematic representation of the invention.

[0035] Figure 1 shows a highly simplified schematic representation of a mass transit vehicle 10 in the form of a train traveling towards station 11. Passenger 12 is on board the mass transit vehicle 10 and must change trains at station 11 to reach their desired destination. This transfer point at station 11 represents an important hub on the passenger's journey. Due to a delay on the mass transit vehicle 10, in which passenger 12 is currently traveling, the originally planned connection could not be reached. This significantly delays passenger 12's journey along the planned route, leading to a negative perception of the entire trip.

[0036] Passenger 12 has a mobile device 20, for example a smartphone and / or a smartwatch, with which passenger 12's body parameters are recorded. Such body parameters can include, for example, skin temperature, skin conductance, blood volume pulse, oxygen saturation and / or possibly even an electroencephalogram.

[0037] These bodily parameters are continuously recorded by the mobile device 20 and transmitted, along with a timestamp, to an evaluation unit 21. The evaluation unit 21 is, in particular, a microcontroller- or microprocessor-controlled computing unit that continuously calculates an emotional state indicator from the recorded bodily parameters of passenger 12. Such an emotional state indicator contains a number of sub-indicators that represent a kind of progression of passenger 12's emotional state.

[0038] Using the timestamps assigned to each sub-parameter, which indicate when the body parameters underlying the respective sub-parameter were recorded, these sub-parameters can now be assigned to corresponding transport-related information of the mass transit vehicle 10.

[0039] This transport-related information is retrieved from a database 22 and relates in particular to timetable information for public transport 10 and traffic information. From this transport-related information, it can be deduced that public transport 10 is so delayed that the connecting service for passenger 12 at station 11 cannot be kept. Therefore, regarding the emotional state indicator for passenger 12, only those transport-related pieces of information from database 22 that pertain to passenger 12's trajectory are retrieved.

[0040] The event of the delay of public transport 10, as well as an emotional state indicator suggesting a negative emotional reaction, indicates that passenger 12 is highly annoyed due to the delay of public transport 10 and has a negative perception of the journey.

[0041] The evaluation unit 21 now generates corresponding transport-related or trajectory-related information and transmits it to the mobile device 20 of passenger 12. Such transport-related or trajectory-related information can, for example, include information about alternative connections to the desired destination. However, alternative courses of action can also be displayed on the mobile device 20, such as the possibility of telephone assistance with a human assistant or the provision of electronic vouchers for food and drinks at station 11 if passenger 12 has to wait there for their connecting train.

[0042] The exemplary embodiment of the Fig. Figure 1 shows a direct and individual influence on passenger transport by directly and individually acting positively on the passenger.

[0043] It is also conceivable that the influence extends to subsequent vehicles. For individual travelers, the travel experience, along with information about the journey chain (planning, travel milestones), is recorded via mobile devices and app entries. This generates interconnected trajectory data for individual travelers, containing information about the journey and the experience of the journey, which is stored anonymously or pseudonymously in a shared database. Through analysis, the data can be mapped to specific locations on maps, network maps (routes), or vehicles used, and aggregated by traveler. These time-based, location-, route-, or vehicle-specific experience aggregates are directly incorporated as additional parameters into traffic management methods, enabling the optimization of services based on the traveler experience and thus preventing sources of negative experiences. Example 1

[0044] The road surface in the marketplace is quite bumpy, which, according to the present invention, passengers found rather unpleasant. Based on this, the vehicle's damping is calibrated and sent directly to the vehicle via Car2X, allowing it to adjust the damping accordingly and thus providing passengers with a more comfortable ride across the marketplace. Additionally, smooth route suggestions were generated for vehicles that do not need to stop in the marketplace and are incorporated into vehicle dispatching. Example 2

[0045] In another location, a shuttle always passes by the waste incineration plant, which leads to negative experiences for passengers - since we can hardly avoid the location, this information is distributed to all vehicles, so that now the windows are automatically closed and the ventilation adjusted in the vicinity of the plant. Reference symbol list 10 public transport options 11 Train Station 12 passengers 20 mobile devices 21 evaluation unit 22 Database

Claims

[1] Method for influencing passenger transport by a mass transit vehicle (10) wherein the method comprises the following steps: - Recording at least one body parameter of at least one passenger (12) traveling on a passenger trajectory with the mass transit vehicle (10) by means of a sensor and providing the recorded body parameter to an evaluation unit (21), - Determining an emotional state parameter of at least one passenger (12) as a function of at least one body parameter using the evaluation unit (21), wherein the emotional state parameter consists of a plurality of sub-parameters uniquely identifiable by a timestamp, which, based on the measured body parameters at discrete time intervals, represent an emotional user experience or an emotional perception when using the public transport along the passenger trajectory by the passenger, - Determining transport-related information of the public transport vehicle (10) along the passenger trajectory of the passenger in question (12) used by the passenger and providing this transport-related information to the evaluation unit (21), - Correlating the emotional state indicator of at least one passenger (12) with the transport-related information along the passenger trajectory in question, wherein the sub-indicators of the emotional state indicator are assigned to the corresponding transport-related information in the same time range, and - Influencing passenger transport depending on the correlation of at least one passenger (12). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that passenger transport is only affected when the determined emotional state indicator is above or below a certain threshold. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that in order to influence passenger transport, additional transport-related and / or trajectory-related information is determined for the passenger (12) for whom the emotional state indicator was determined and displayed on a mobile device (20) of the passenger (12). [4] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that to influence passenger transport, alternative courses of action are displayed on a mobile device (20) of the passenger (12). [5] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that in order to influence passenger transport, one or more transport parameters of the mass transit vehicle used (10) are changed. [6] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one body parameter is recorded by at least one mobile device (20) worn by the passenger (12) into which the sensor is integrated. [7] Method according to claim 6, characterized by , that the mobile device (20) is a smartphone, a smartwatch or sensor glasses. [8] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that body parameters such as skin temperature, skin conductance, blood volume pulse, oxygen saturation, eye movement and / or an electroencephalogram are recorded.

Images