The size and complexity of transportation hubs bring a multitude of technical challenges as they race to upgrade outmoded audio, or digital signage. One major concern is the ceaseless movement of passengers, which necessitates careful planning to avoid disruptions. Meanwhile, gathering crowds of people under one roof demands protection against potentially catastrophic security and fire risks. Another priority is integrating the latest technology with both legacy systems and sophisticated new equipment from other brands. The long catalogue of potential stumbling blocks goes on, with pollution and humidity also demanding protection in some instances.
Every manufacturer has a different checklist of preoccupations depending on the mode of transport, type of equipment, and the nature of a project. Craig Sholder, director of sales for the west coast and transportation sector, SNA Displays, comments: “Major challenges for us include high ambient noise and lighting conditions, such as the bright glass terminals or underground stations; durability and resistance to vandalism, especially in public spaces with 24/7 use; and integration with legacy infrastructure, such as older PA systems or outdated control rooms. Other challenges include regulatory compliance, accessibility standards, safety certifications, and cybersecurity. Also, these systems must address network latency and redundancy where AV must function even during outages or emergencies.”
SECURITY CONCERNS
A strong emphasis on security must be at the forefront of installations in transport hubs, according to Simon Hayes, director of transportation, Sharp NEC Display Solutions Europe. Operators, he believes, tend to be aware that cyber criminals will exploit any weaknesses. “AV installations are highly sensitive to potential vulnerabilities. Not only is security a top priority, but public safety is also critical, so all equipment must be proven to be heat- and fire-resistant,” he says. “Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is another concern, especially in airports, where AV equipment must not interfere with air traffic control signals. Large-surface displays, in particular, must meet strict EMI standards to ensure they don’t cause disruption.”
It is rare for one company to supply every piece of technology. New equipment normally has to be integrated smoothly with tech of various types from different brands. When LG Electronics modernised the flight information display system (FIDS) at Portland International Airport (PDX), its displays had to be integrated with wayfinding systems, emergency alerts, real-time transit data, and advertising content.
“It’s not just about what the passenger sees – it’s about how the back-end systems coordinate to keep the experience secure, fluid and informative,” says Dan Verbsky, senior transportation account manager, LG Electronics USA. “At PDX, a key technical challenge was to modernise their FIDS while eliminating the complexity of external media players and reducing the risk of network vulnerabilities.”
Working with SITA, LG deployed its own webOS-enabled LCD displays that could run content directly over Ethernet from the server with no additional hardware required. Verbsky adds: “Our webOS operating system and ConnectedCare monitoring platform allowed the airport to standardise configurations, control displays remotely, and safeguard the network from unauthorised access.”
In a similar vein, at Edinburgh Airport, BrightSign’s digital media player had to integrate smoothly with real-time data feeds providing live information for passengers. The signage solutions had to be manageable and scalable across large areas. Pierre Gillet, vice president of international sales at BrightSign, comments: “The ability to manage a large number of displays remotely from a centralised platform is essential for efficient operation and minimising the need for on-site maintenance. At Edinburgh Airport, we had to provide a reliable digital media player that was powerful enough to run high-quality and always-on content – whilst being easy to manage.”
BrightSign’s digital signage players are deployed throughout the airport, powering multi-purpose LED displays, including a huge 85m video wall consisting of 2,240 LEDs in Edinburgh Airport’s self-service check-in area. “Typical of modern installations, the displays in Edinburgh Airport are multi-purpose. BrightSign’s versatile system can display content ranging from small 1.5m windows to visuals spanning the entire 85m canvas,” Gillet adds.
When Sharp NEC recently upgraded more than 3,000 FIDS displays at a major airport, the computing had to be fully secured against the risk of hacking. But the security risk was only one of the many technical priorities of this assignment. Each FIDS came with a strict set of technical requirements to ensure the whole system would be fit for purpose for five years. In addition, the solution needed to eliminate ongoing licensing costs without restricting flexibility.
Hayes explains: “Open-source computing was essential to allow complete control and management of the system, while also enabling automation of routine tasks. A common operating system was required to support easy software development. The system also had to be remotely monitored and managed, offer low power consumption, and deliver a lower total cost of ownership over time.”
MODULAR SOLUTIONS
Sharp NEC’s solution was to deploy its LCD panels with modular computing. They installed a Raspberry Pi 4 into the dedicated compute module, which slots directly into Sharp NEC’s displays. “It met all technical criteria and delivered added benefits – each endpoint display now requires only a single power and network connection, simplifying installation,” Hayes adds.
The Raspberry Pi 4 has a minimum life of 10 years and an impressive 377,000 hour MTBF (Mean Time Before Failure). Hayes says it should outlive the displays, reducing total cost of ownership. “The Raspberry Pi typically uses less than 10 percent of its CPU capacity when running FIDS applications, and when paired with our display’s dynamic brightness control, overall energy usage is significantly lower,” he explains.
The challenges involved in installing audio in airports can be just as demanding as with digital signage. Many dilemmas are similar, but concerns about disruptive noise and muddy acoustics are more specific to audio. Shannon Humphrey, president of SoundTube Entertainment, says: “Typical challenges include dealing with loud background noise, echo-filled spaces, durability requirements, exposure to weather, and security considerations. At SoundTube, we tackle these issues with specialised speaker designs, durable construction, vandal-resistant materials, weatherproofing, and advanced DSP technology.”
A recent example, he says, was SoundTube’s installation at Orlando International Airport, which presented significant acoustics difficulties related to its expansive open spaces, high ceilings, and highly reflective glass surfaces. Traditional speakers would not have provided clear, immersive audio coverage and could have detracted from the architectural design. “We used SoundTube’s SolidDrive SD-1G invisible speakers, which transformed the glass surfaces into discreet, full-range sound sources. By mounting the SD-1G units directly onto the glass panels of the ‘Windows on Orlando’ video feature, we achieved precise multichannel audio placement that matched the visual content, minimised the visual footprint, and ensured clarity. This approach reduced echoes and provided a seamless, high-quality listening experience,” he says.
Poor acoustics were also an issue to be resolved when AtlasIED installed its audio equipment at Newark Airport’s Terminal A. With a 1 million sqft footprint and 15m travellers per year, the new terminal needed an AV system that delivered both clarity and full integration with emergency protocols. AtlasIED installed immersive multimedia and real-time paging using more than 2,300 loudspeakers.
Matt Czyzewski, executive vice president, AtlasIED, says: “There was high ambient noise from vehicles, travellers, and operations and it required a solution that could maintain intelligibility across hundreds of zones. The installation included 48 TitanONE T112 mainframes and over 2,300 loudspeakers, all monitored and adjusted automatically to ensure optimal sound levels. Integration with the fire alarm system was achieved using AtlasIED’s IP-1522LR modules, allowing the paging system to mute or prioritize channels during emergencies seamlessly. A 120-touchscreen paging station network ensures clear, targeted communication throughout the terminal. The result is a robust, resilient communication system that not only met strict safety and intelligibility requirements but also contributed to Terminal A winning Skytrax’s Best New Terminal award.”
STATION STRUGGLES
As a general rule, train stations are more exposed to the elements than the more hermetically enclosed airport terminals. Even when a station is under cover, the impact of the weather and pollution may be felt inside. For these reasons, SNA Displays opted to deploy robust exterior EMPIRE displays at Union Station in Washington, DC, rather than interior displays.
Craig Sholder, of SNA Displays, explains: “It’s an interesting example of using discernment in choosing the right technology for the intended environment. Here, the LED display is installed at an intermodal exchange where passengers go from trains to buses and vice versa. Because bus and train centres are typically covered, it’s common to deploy interior video display technology for this type of application because it’s cheaper. But we used the more rugged exterior video technology because the location is still open-air as the building envelope isn’t closed off. Bus and train exhaust must escape somewhere and the resulting humidity will eventually break electronics not rated for outdoor use. Just because a display doesn’t contend with direct rainfall doesn’t mean it’s in a conditioned space with regulated humidity.”
On occasions, the technical issues with train station installations are specific to an individual project and demand a bespoke solution. For example, Zeta Display had to overcome the magnetism issues caused by the brake dust from the trains at Oslo Central Station. Mikael Varga, sales manager, explains: “We developed a custom LED installation method that uses screws instead of magnets to protect performance and longevity in harsh environments.”
ASSISTIVE AUDIO
Installations of audio to make train stations more inclusive are increasingly common and face similar pitfalls to loudspeaker integrations. When Ampetronics | Listen Technologies, a provider of hearing loop and assistive listening solutions, installed its Auracast solution on a trial basis at the UK’s Bristol Temple Meads station, there were four significant technical challenges, according to Jonathon Hoskin, technical sales engineer.
He explains: “First, we had to achieve consistent broadcast coverage across a large, complex concourse complicated by thick stone walls and extensive metalwork. Second, we had to navigate the constraints in a heritage-listed station that requires sensitive placement and minimal visual impact. Third, we had to collaborate with multiple stakeholders – Network Rail, RNID, and facilities teams, to ensure alignment on accessibility, safety, and infrastructure standards. Finally, it was essential to manage passenger expectations and help users interact confidently with unfamiliar technology. To address the challenges we used detailed site surveys, precise transmitter planning, and iterative testing. The result is a low-latency, personal audio experience that enhances inclusivity and accessibility.”
Integrators are often the ones wrestling with the technical conundrums at the hubs. When Belgian integrator TVV Sound Project installed a new public address system at Liège train station, there was a danger that the complex acoustic environment would cause annoying echoes, says Edo Dijkstra, CEO, TVV Sound Project. He says: “The goal was to deliver sound in a way that does not disturb travellers or the environment. In the case of Liège station, which is located in an open area with many buildings nearby, it was important to consider the surroundings to prevent any nuisance. Additionally, the installation should have minimal impact on the station’s overall appearance, maintaining functionality and discretion. We deployed the Dante protocol and digital amplifiers to avoid these issues. The new loudspeaker systems from Active Audio and APG are controlled with beam-steering technology via Powersoft amplifiers.”
With travel hubs likely to remain ‘innovative testbeds’ in the AV sector for many years, the technical difficulties of installations will continue. New innovations are sure to emerge, posing fresh challenges for manufacturers and integrators.
To read part one of this travel hub feature, click here.
