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| The improved quality and intelligibility of PA announcements are a real benefit to the Norwegian traveling public |
Crucial factors in the contract award were the ability of the ASL solution to integrate with the client's passenger information management system and their capability to deliver a 20-year support framework centred on the use of open technologies.
Over the last three years ASL have implemented a major investment programme in IP-based PA solutions with combined routing, amplification, PC/DVA, Text to Speech and Remote Diagnostic functions in one 2U fan-less unit, making it ideally suited to solving the challenges posed by major transport infrastructure Long Line PA and Voice over IP projects.
A four year framework agreement is in place between ASL and Jernbaneverket for the rest of the network with a total of 283 stations. Additional functionality at minimal cost on the iPA400 units to be installed includes the ability for a passenger to replay the last announcement at the touch of a button and the possibility of using each unit to aggregate control and monitoring data with other vendors station equipment, under the supervision of ASL's iVENCS 3D station management software.
Some of the stations are above the Arctic Circle and extremely remote with minimal staffing. ASL were able to accommodate the client by redesigning the microphones on the ambient noise sensors to cope with temperatures as low as -50°C. The improved quality and intelligibility of PA announcements are a real benefit to the Norwegian traveling public.
The Norwegian National Rail Administration (Jernbaneverket) owns and maintains the country's rail network including track and stations as well as being responsible for all traffic management other than tramways and rapid transit. Track is standard gauge and covers 4,114 kilometres out of which 2,552 kilometres are electrified. The installation will be performed by Jernbaneverket's own installation arm with site supervision and commissioning assistance from ASL Safety & Security.
