Ulm, summer 2018. A new tram line is being constructed. The opening ceremony for the new Line 2 is scheduled for December – with cutting-edge displays for realtime passenger information at the stops. Critical for the customer: display of real-time information at all stops. This real-time data was supposed to come directly from the existing ITCS data infrastructure of Stadtwerke Ulm and be retrieved by special computers from Ulm’s ITCS system. But that proved impossible to achieve. The delivery time of the required computers was more than 6 months. Too late to install these in the displays in time for the opening. At the opening ceremony the displays at the stops would have to stay dark.

Luminator also participated in the bidding for the new displays, and made a proposal to the customer: a Luminator data hub had already been in operation for some years, and could be used as an alternative source for the required real-time data. The data would then be provided to the displays without any direct connection to the customer´s ITCS system via special computers. The customer was convinced by the concept. It was the only option if Line 2 was to be opened with functioning displays at the stops. So Luminator received the contract. It was no coincidence that we at Luminator were able to find a solution in good time. As a system integrator, we have been developing and manufacturing individual solutions for decades, and tailoring them to the particular circumstances of our customers. In order not to have to maintain and operate two different systems at the municipal utilities, we were given the opportunity to make an offer for the rest of the network as well. The nice side effect is a uniform appearance in the entire city area. An offer that would appeal not only to Swabians: inexpensive, delivered on time and equipped with everything that is needed. Today all displays for realtime passenger information belonging to Stadtwerke Ulm originate from Luminator.