On-Board Information System (OBIS)
Accessible Information Solutions
Nearly half of the US spends a significant part of daily commuting on public transportation. What if this time could be transformed into an enjoyable, productive, and connected experience? And what if we could make that experience more accessible to everyone, regardless of sensory disabilities related to vision and hearing?
Thanks to the forward-thinking of national rail authority AMTRAK, California Department of Transportation’s CalTrans, and the work of companies like Nomad Digital, a superior commuter experience is now possible. OBIS is an intelligent On-Board Information System that revolutionizes the commuter experience by providing accessible information and unparalleled connectivity.
OBIS changes the daily commute by providing real-time journey updates, news, and a wealth of entertaining content to commuters waiting on the platform and to the train’s on-board screens, intercom systems, commuters’ mobile devices, and even directly into commuters’ hearing aids via inductive hearing loops.
No more dull and long train rides, hard-to-read static maps, gargled announcements, and asking other commuters if they know what the next stop is. OBIS provides an engaging, informative, and entertaining experience that makes every trip enjoyable and easy to navigate.
Harbor Designs and Manufacturing supported with full interior train modeling, retrofit layout planning, virtual CAD model flythrough VR, on-site surveys, subsystem engineering, prototyping, creation of a full system test bench at Harbor, design and production of custom electronic components, antennas, mounting brackets, turn-key assembly, provisioning, kitting, inventory control, installation instructions, and drop shipping to installers at the rail yard.
Tested For Extraordinary Passenger Experience
The connected age needs connected and accessible solutions! – But getting from the initial concept stage to diverse stakeholder buy-in to fully engineered, stress-tested, and deployed solutions (on a moving train!) is no small task.
We started by working with our client and the project team to understand the existing cars that would be getting the OBIS upgrade. Fleets include Surfliner I, Surfliner II, Superliner I, Superliner II, and California Cars, and all have gone through their fair share of changes over the years. As designed and as-built are two different things, and there is no substitution for site surveys to understand the options for mounting new technologies in legacy rolling stock.
OBIS test bench inside Harbor Designs and Manufacturing facility.
The platform not only gives extraordinary experience by allowing passengers to enjoy the latest news and entertainment channels on-board but it also takes out the stress and uncertainty in train journeys. Passengers have access to interactive, dynamic maps that display their current location, upcoming stops, delays, and available facilities such as working ramps and toilets at stations.
With OBIS, operators can work at maximum efficiency by proactively connecting with passengers in real-time through effortless voice-to-text and text-to-voice announcements
More Than Just a Software
When it comes to flexibility, OBIS is hardware agnostic and readily integrates to a wide range of old and latest fleet interior and exterior displays, as well as audio communication devices.
Fleet operators have complete control over the content displayed on fixed screens available to passengers which could be a lucrative avenue for advertising, allowing operators to showcase commercials and other promotional materials.
OBIS also prioritizes inclusivity, supporting the North American Disability Discrimination Act with its hearing loop integration feature. This allows direct broadcasting to a variety of hearing aids, ensuring all passengers can access important information and entertainment.
“Knowing when a delayed train will get people to their destination has a powerful effect: it means both the passengers and everyone they know can get on with planning their day.”
Changing the Way We Move With a Single Platform
Today, OBIS is transforming the way people travel with its intelligent mobility solutions.
To meet the varying needs of fleet operators, Nomad Digital introduces OBIS Lite which is a flexible mobile application that offers customized packages that fit different budgets, ensuring everyone can benefit from its innovative features.
Trains are not only convenient but also eco-friendly, with a much smaller carbon footprint, less noise pollution, and reduced space requirements. As OBIS enhances the fleet travel experience, trains become a compelling alternative to cars, making travel a smarter and greener choice, benefiting both people and the planet.
Have a rail and transportation solution you want realized? Learn more about how we can help bring your vision to life.
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