TRAINS CONNECTED PROJECT

Harsh Verma, Director, R&D and Senior ITS Consultant

GLOCOL Inc
9522 Madrid Way, Elk Grove, Sacramento, CA 95758, US
Tel: +1(916)399-1969
E-mail: hverma@glocol.net
http://www.glocol.net

Jean-Luc Ygnace, Research Engineer, ITS Socio-Economic Assessment

INRETS
25, avenue Francois Miterrand, 69675 BRON cedex, France
Tel : +33 4 72 14 24 29
E-mail : ygnace@inrets.fr
http://www.inrets.fr

Hamed Benouar, Executive Director

California Center for ITS Technologies
University of California
2105 Bancroft Way, Berkeley CA 94720
Tel: +1(510)642-5224
E-mail: benouar@calccit.org
http://www.calccit.org

SUMMARY
This paper reports on the ‘Trains Connected project’, including the project partnership,
objectives and the business and technology considerations relating to the deployment of
Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) on trains. The goal of the project is to pursue Pilot
Demonstrations to provide Wireless LAN, High speed Internet connectivity and Info-
centric Services on trains in California with research co-operation on similar efforts with
SNCF in France. The focus is to improve passenger service as well as train safety and
security.

RELEVANCE OF THE PROJECT

The project is part of the CALFRANCE transportation research collaboration between
France and California to take advantage of the synergy that exists between the Intelligent
Transportation Systems (ITS) work that is performed in both countries, specially in the
development and deployment of ITS products and services that improve mobility choices
[1]. It involves a public/private partnership with the goal of dramatically increasing the
attractiveness of train passenger transportation in both areas and to speed up the market
deployment of passenger services by solving major technological barriers in the field of

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internet connectivity and telecommunication. The partnership is organized with global
industry players from both countries, major train operators, outstanding academic teams
and supported by the departments of transportation in both countries who are really
concerned by the economic viability of the train passenger transportation sector.
Providing reliable wireless communication connectivity on trains has also the potential to
improve safety and security.

Providing new services is essential to make railway transport more attractive. New
services making the distances seem shorter and the train journeys more pleasant and
efficient is a favorable way of attracting new travelers to trains which is one of the best
transportation means for conservation of natural resources and protection of
environment. For example, The European Rail Research Advisory Council (ERRAC), an
initiative of the European Commission, the European Railway sector and the EU
Member States has issued the Strategic Rail Research Agenda 2020 (SRRA) which
highlights research priorities necessary to achieve targets in terms of future market share
for railway transport [2]. The agenda “A Turning Point for the European Railway
Research” gives an outlook for innovations of paramount importance such as high-
performance telematics systems to increase Quality of Service (QoS) and guaranteeing
customer security [2], [3].

On the other hand, the industrial side of the ITS business has mainly targeted the
automotive sector as a core application to support new technology and customer oriented
ITS services; the railway sector remains a very important field for ITS market
deployment and business opportunities. The rationale of the R&D project is to foster
market deployment of services well beyond the California and French local markets. One
solution for the passengers is to use their mobile terminals. Both the mobile terminals
and base stations have to be upgraded to be able to withstand the severe railway
environment and to answer the high-data rate and traffic needs. In the prospect of a
beyond-2.5/3G system made of an aggregation of optimized sub-networks, this project
will study the combination of a satellite access and discontinuous terrestrial sub-
networks.

RAIL REQUIREMENTS
Recent innovations in wireless technology and Traveler Information Systems across the
world has the potential to offer citizens elevated levels of safe and secure transportation
services and travel information including opportunities to plan their travel for business
or leisure However, these new systems should not increase the cost of transportation and
should improve mobility and accessibility. To provide a real connectivity of information
access for business or leisure on trains, it is important to provide seamless
interoperability of information across multiple wireless networks-in-motion on various
kinds of mobile devices. There is also an increasing concern of security on trains that
can be addressed with better train wireless connectivity [4].

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The main objective is to bring seamless high speed internet access and connectivity to
train commuters in order to dramatically increase the attractiveness of train by offering
the possibility of a safe and secure productive content of the journey to work as well as
for business purpose. The time spent daily by many workers for e-mail and files
downloading or uploading purposes related to work can be used very efficiently during
the train trip. Other valuable internet services can be accessed during the trips. This is a
major challenge to increase train customer base, to steer a modal shift in favor of
environmentally friendly transportation by train and to develop a more efficient and
attractive mode of transportation based on a “train commuting” concept [4]. The key
research aspects are to research and develop a delivering mechanism for communication
across multiple Advanced IP services while ensuring data and system integrity when
using public networks and wireless as well as providing a base that can be used by
related efforts in improving train safety and security.

To gain an understanding and insight for such requirements, the project would deploy a
mobile access router in trains – info-stations – and demonstrate handovers between
different communication networks during the itinerary. It will experiment how various
users would be able to use such communication possibilities, including information
related to the trip itself from mobile info-terminals and other in-train displays where one
can pass, upload/download information through multiple network interfaces as well as
connected with wireless LANs, as integral components of Intelligent Transportation
Systems.

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT RESEARCH

Deploy Mobile Access Routers allowing trains to ground connections for
passengers

Create Wireless Info-Stations for Mobility for Commuters

Create a Network-in-Motion of Mobile Hot-Spots for Commuters

Scale to provide high speed internet connections and Traveler Information for
Commuters

Integrate with related train safety and security efforts

This project would apply research techniques to Mobile IP routing protocols for
transportation connectivity, a part of a very important suite of technologies called as
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), and collaborate with French industry and
researchers. Capital Corridor in California [5] and SNCF [6] in France will be the main
users of analysis techniques for problems related to connectivity on high-speed trains.
The California Department of Transportation may also make the results available to the
rest of the train service in California [7].

The research will focus on techniques for extending the edge of the IP network to new
areas of Networks-in-Motion and facilitate application of high speed internet
communication. On the other hand, we will assess Traveler Information System and
enable wireless connectivity across multiple networks to support the deployment of

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mission-critical application components in Traveler Information System for the State’s
Department of Transportation.
The methodology would be to deploy mission-critical Traveler Information broadcast
from the train operators or any transportation stakeholder on a Peer-to-Peer Network
with a Cisco (a project participant) Mobile Access Router, 3200 [8], deployed in
trains and allow commuters and authorities using mobile web-enabled devices within
close proximity on the train to upload/download information on 802.11a and 802.11b/g
wireless LANs or 802.16/ 802.20 Wireless Man as well as through multiple network
interfaces connected with cellular networks or satellite channel seamlessly.

There will be a strong effort to develop uplink and downlink satellite communication
between the train and the outside to provide internet connection to the train users.

The Traveler Information content which is part of the California side of this project
would be displayed, on in-train displays or at home, using hand-held devices like Tiqit,
1 GHz Crusoe Processor by Transmeta, Audiovox Thera or other suitable devices
interfaced with a combine of CDMA2000 1xRTT PCMCIA Card Modem and Cisco
3200 Mobile Access Router and Satellite communications (supported and to be tested
in France by France Telecom, another project sponsor [9]) to extend the IP frontier to
Networks in Motion and provide seamless mobility independent of location or
movement.

One of the goals is to understand how to use IP networking to provide a method for
sharing identified Traveler Information System applications among users regardless of
transport medium and apply to the mobility of public safety, homeland security, and
commercial transportation markets. Users in emergency situations can make more
informed decisions immediately, thereby increasing their productivity effectiveness in
the field while traveling and still making use of the ITS components. We do believe
however, that passenger travel decisions are made prior to being on the train where
such information would be provided. Instead, the goals of making such information
available via the internet and readable from anywhere should be expanded – however
these, we feel, are beyond the real scope of this project and driven by other initiatives.

The other goal is to understand how the Mobile IP standard could be used to provide
the roaming architecture that could allow client devices for Traveler Information
System such as a laptop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA) or in-train panels to
maintain a single IP address and roam between multiple networks without losing their
connection to the home network, thus eliminating the need to rewrite legacy
applications. In order to achieve these goals, it is planned to set up a wireless network-
in-motion to build:
• Secure data communications with seamless mobility independent of location or
movement
• Advanced IP services and interoperability with standard software
• High performance in a compact, rugged design for in-train access

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Also, to deploy mobilization of internet connection as well as Traveler Information
System would require making multi-media content available through wireless devices
using preference profiles which can be defined by Composite Capability/Preference
Profiles (CC/PP) (see w3.org), and these profiles can be delivered to a proxy server over
HTTP. Intelligent Content Transformation of Traveler Information System is proposed
by using a technology like World Cruiser from MobileWebSurf (another project
participant) (http://www.mobilewebsurf.com) which automatically determines the user
agent’s capabilities at the time of information request and ensures that the content will be
transformed correctly for this device in real time. In addition, through the use of the
World Cruiser customization tool, the Traveler Information System application provider
can tailor content for a specific class of profiles. This technology could make wireless
and wired experiences seamless and may involve deployment of WorldCruiser server
software which acts as a proxy server between the traveler end user and Internet-based
content for Traveler Information System. As such, the best position for placing it
anywhere in the chain between the gateway to the device and the original content would
be explored or somewhere along with the mobile access router. The server also would
need to allow for serialization, such that already converted traveler information content is
passed through the subsequent servers; or the subsequent servers can provide additional
rules for further transforming the content, to provide the “one-stop” feeling for the
traveler.

In addition to the benefits of providing info-centric services, Internet and Wi-Fi

connectivity to commuters in trains, this research is expected to provide a major impact
on acquisition of knowledge and identification of various issues which would be
beneficial for CCJPA and SNCF such as:

First and foremost, this would help to blend, in addition to technology, also the
funds and effort to develop an RFQ and actually select a concessionaire and
establish a mutually beneficial relationship. In a sense, with California taking
aggressive steps to establish a relationship with a concessionaire, it may inform
the process of establishing expectations in other train systems throughout the
world. In another sense, California is doing a real trial of a formal business
relationship where wi-fi service between the private sector and the State. The
challenge will be to create an environment where the expected shortcomings of
this new relationship may be overcome by mutual cooperation.

Study of effective communication of mission critical voice, video, and data for
commuters in addition to simple e-mail using Mobile Access Routers on a peer-
to-peer network formed in a train, a part of ITS

Performance comparison and evaluation of various research parameters for use of
daily and occasional commuters for the identified scope.

Issues of large number of train travelers’ client devices connected to a mobile
access router to use the router IP address for mobility and various implementation
and interoperability issues with Service Quality in trains.

Demonstrate advantage of the higher speed connectivity that the IEEE802.11a/b/g
radio module and 5 GHz client adapter cards provide to power high-bandwidth

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 traveler information using video streaming, advanced engineering applications
and online collaboration for Traffic/Rail Information.

Performance comparison of various hardware and software components and
networks and their interoperability with various other networks for their
appropriate use in trains, for example possible impact of IEEE802.16 standard
and third generation (3G) 1xEVDO and UMTS.

Scalability issues of the Mobile Network including mobility management and
Open Standards for using In-train Network with Wayside infrastructure and
Backhaul Network

Study of various factors related to Mobility, Inter-city Rail and ITS service
network as below:
− use of open standards
− capability of growth
− scope of applications
− cost of deployment & maintenance
− data rate & capacity
− mode of communications
− coverage area,
- financial involvement of companies in the project assuming the
technology and the services can increase the productivity of the
employees (to be evaluated through surveys)
- various business models will be evaluated in light of the potential
involvement of employers/employees
Safety and security implications

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF WORK

The project intends to set-up Pilot Demonstrations to provide WirelessLAN, Internet
connectivity and Info-centric services on the Capitol Corridor trains operated by
AMTRAK and other inter-city trains in California as a continuous improvement of train
Service using Open Standards with research co-operation to deploy similar experiments
for high speed TGV trains operated by SNCF in France and to evaluate the effects and
performance measurements of connectivity issues at high-speeds and networks-in-
motion across multiple Advanced IP services for clients and travelers in inter-city rail
passenger cars. In California the project will focus on the business viability, customer
needs as well as the coordination with train security efforts; in France, the project will
also study the combination of a satellite access and discontinuous terrestrial sub-network
to address high speed rail wireless connectivity issues.

SUMMARY OF OBJECTIVES

To conduct telecom research applied to transportation objectives in order to facilitate

the deployment of internet connectivity services to train customers to increase the

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 market share for passenger rail transportation as well as improve train operations,
safety and security.

Collaborate and integrate effort with safety and homeland security activities to
improve the safety and security of train travel

To provide seamless high speed mobile Internet access to train customers and
operators different networks, e.g. Wi-Fi in the train, and WirelessMAN (802.xx,
802.16, 802.20), cellular, satellite for the link outside the train.

Prospective cooperation with French and California transit agencies on this topic and
revitalization of local economies

To maximize research investments for CCJPA and SNCF through Caltrans and
French DoT [12] Cooperation – CALFRANCE in order to speed up a commercial
deployment phase

The cornerstone of the “Trains Connected” Project is to define, specify and experiment
innovative services offered both to passengers and train operators of a running train
through a wireless and seamless communication system over different networks, e.g. Wi-
Fi in the train, and WirelessLAN (802.xx, 802.16, 802.20), cellular or satellite for the
link outside the train. The communication system will secure the connection of the
passenger terminals to Internet providing them with all the existing services and in
addition with new specific services defined within the project.

A high data rate bi-directional link is necessary to offer as many passengers as possible
simultaneous access to multimedia services delivered through IPv6 protocol while
supporting other high-data rate applications. This link intend to satisfy communication
needs of passengers and aims consequently at increasing railway public transport
attractiveness as well as comfort feeling of passengers. This type of connectivity can
serve as the basis for improved security systems as well as train to infrastructure
connectivity for enhanced safety at grade crossings. In addition, this connectivity will
improve train operational efficiency in terms of equipment maintainability and even food
car supply just in time delivery.

The passenger terminals (Laptop, PDA or 2.5/3G mobile phones) will be linked via a
wireless LAN (WiFi or other) deployed across the train to an access point which could
be considered as a “Super Mobile Communication Device” from the outdoors of the
train. This “Super Mobile Communication Device” will be connected to the outside
transparently through bi-directional satellite and terrestrial links that could be a cellular
system (1xRTT, GSM-GPRS, UMTS, IS95, ..), 802.xx, 802.11 or 802.16 links. The
terrestrial link will substitute the satellite link when the satellite is not in the line-of-sight
of trains or will alternatively provide other ranges of data rates. The transparent
“handover” between the satellite and terrestrial systems will be specified and evaluated
in the framework of the project. The combination of these two techniques should
enhance dramatically the global system availability and the QoS offered to the end users.

The project will support the satellite use in the railway domain. It will evaluate the
effects and performance measurements of connectivity issues at high-speeds up to 350

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km/h and networks-in-motion across multiple Advanced IP services for clients and
travelers in inter-city rail passenger cars.

The research will be fully shared among participants from both areas. Nevertheless there
will be an emphasis on the California side: to develop a new set of commercially viable
services specific to train travelers, « opening new social and economic opportunities by
allowing full seamless and nomadic user access to new classes of feature rich
applications with integration with related train safety and homeland security efforts, and
on the French side to: cope with the signal impairments due to high speed by defining a
pioneering, high data rate and seamless radio communication system architecture able to
offer train traveling passengers wireless access to a variety of new and attractive services
contributing to the complementary usage of satellite and terrestrial systems in order to
enhance system availability and QoS: Specifying underlying equipment and developing
key components such as antennas or specific signal processing. This new service will
enhance the safety of trains by providing better connectivity for advance warnings of
dangers as well as better communication with grade crossings and other infrastructure. It
will enhance safety by providing access to databases for real time registering of
passenger, baggage and cargo.

MAJOR TECHNICAL BREAKTHROUGH OF THE

PROJECT
COMBINATION OF TERRESTRIAL AND SATELLITE TECHNOLOGIES

The most promising solution today is probably the satellite communication systems.
Thanks to the absence of specific infrastructure to be placed along the track, the service is
potentially available everywhere including the far out areas. The main drawbacks to
guarantee connectivity and QoS are due to the satellite visibility due to the occurrence of
mask effects related to the specific railways environments (tunnels, cutting, lattice mast
supporting the catenary, etc).

The “Trains Connected Project” novel technical approach consists in using the terrestrial
infrastructures available to relay the satellite service when necessary. Both technologies
are expected to be complementary rather than strictly competing.
The innovations of the project lie in the following domains:
- Improvement of satellite communication systems with low profile transmit and receive
antennas with intelligent pointing capabilities;
- Definition of the overall architecture from the passenger seat to the servers connected
to the In-Train Access Points as well as Mobile Access Router, Cisco 3200, configured
as Work Group Bridges to access wayside and as Access Point to provide Untethered
Access for connectivity to Rail-Side Infrastructure which will imply high ROI;
- Definition and evaluation of the “handovers” between satellite and terrestrial systems
including any WaySide Infrastructure and Backhaul. This aims at improving the

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terrestrial systems deployment. This approach can be also used to improve or to prepare
the “handover” algorithms between the satellite and the terrestrial radio systems.

INNOVATION FOR SERVICES

The communications system will secure the connection of the passenger terminals to
Internet providing them with all standard existing information and entertainment services
including video conferences. The data exchanged between the trains and the track may
include:
- Internet frames;
- Digital video streams (video conference, TV….)
- Information when arriving at a station;
- Targeted information in case of traffic problems
- Electronic passenger lists
- Electronic manifest
- 3200s on the wayside provide perimeter security with IDS & statefull firewall

The communication link could be cut due to several problems (incomplete terrestrial
coverage and loss of satellite visibility). In order to solve this problem, the
communication link between the train and the command centre will be supported by the
MOM (Middleware Oriented Messages), which stores messages in case of
communication link loss. The messages are delivered to their destination as soon as the
link is established again. Cisco specs indicate a Switchover time for the Mobile Access
Router 3200, of 100 to 500 msec using a Work Group Bridge.

The project may also investigate the feasibility of providing Location Based Services to
train passengers. Those services would allow the passengers, either from their own
equipment or from fixed information points, to access resources allowing them to plan
their stay in the destination city. Services like proximity search (search for hotel,
restaurant, car rent…), multi-modal itinerary calculation, traffic information could be
provided to the passengers.

CONCLUSION AND PROJECT SCHEDULE

This paper provided an overview of the project research and objectives. It also provided
an overview of the technology that is considered for the project. However, the
California and French teams will be working over the next twelve months to assess train
wireless service technologies and business models. It is expected that the research team
will seek the participation of industry experts in wireless technology as well as business.
The California Department of Transportation and the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers
Authority will be working with the California Center of Innovative Transportation at the
University of California to develop a Request For Qualification that will be used to
select potential vendors for this new train service. It is expected that the RFQ will be
issued in early to mid 2005. The work under this project will also be coordinated and

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used to complement other research efforts that are aimed at improving train safety and
security.

REFERENCES
1. http://www.berkeley.edu/
2. http://ww.errac.org
3. http://www.unife.org
4. CalFrance Proposal
5. http://www.amtrakcapitols.com
6. http://www.sncf.com/
7. http://www.dot.ca.gov/
8. http://www.cisco.com
9. http://www.francetelecom.com/en/

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