Navigation in the premises of Moscow railway stations was implemented by Indoors Navigation using a Geo-information System (GIS) based on a digital twin of the facility and indoor geolocation services - the Indoors Navigation Platform.

GIS Indoors Navigation allows you to determine the location of any objects, for example, such as train stations, which are complexes with large infrastructure for passenger transportation.

It is not easy for a passenger to navigate in places with a large number of crossings and exits, when the route is not regular, and searching through navigation signs alone is not the most convenient.

By implementing navigation in railway station premises for Russian Railways at the end of 2021, in 3 months we digitized 42 stations, making accurate 3D maps with the location of the premises and routes.  We installed 3,000 BLE positional sensors at 9 Moscow railway stations, set up navigation, and integrated them into a specially designed Railway Stations mobile application ( iOS and Android). 

Passengers now receive an accurate map of the train station on their mobile device with the ability to plot a route to the desired point: exit, crossing, stop, while still in the train carriage, and follow it in navigator mode. This helps to reduce the time needed to navigate the passenger and the entire route.

Navigation on the station map.

The indoor positioning system is based on Bluetooth signals, but it also takes into account Wi-Fi and GPS for navigation outside buildings. Indoor navigation is enabled by the SDK built into the mobile application, which is installed on iOS and Android devices.

- In the application, the user finds a 3D map of the station and up-to-date information about each room, which can be updated regularly.

- The user's location is accurately determined on the map.

- The user can search for the desired object or service in the building: ticket offices, parking lots, restaurants, shops, cafes, including offline mode, and choose a route.

- The application creates a visual route on a 2d/3D map and guides the user to the desired location.

- The user can add the most frequently visited train stations to favorites, leave feedback about shops and other facilities.

AR navigation at the train station.

By scanning a special marker in AR mode, the user can move while observing the route through the phone's camera in real space due to 3D graphics.

The augmented reality service allows you not only to show routes, but also to demonstrate creative advertising content in a playful manner with 3D animation.

Navigation for people with limited mobility.

The application has the ability to build special routes for the category of people with limited mobility (MGN) and guide them using voice prompts only along the passages, elevators and ramps designated for them.

Marketing and analytics of movements at the train station.

The station administration receives information about crowded areas and the most congested sections in different time periods.

The owner of the premises can receive additional income through a new channel of geocontext advertising — mailing lists from tenants.

The mobile application directly informs visitors about events, closed platforms and repairs, promotions and discounts in stores by sending targeted PUSH messages based on preference data and location information.

Based on the statistics of visits, the points of attraction of the object are determined, a heat map is built and popular routes are visualized.

The application is integrated with social networks, allows you to quickly communicate with visitors and share your location.

Staff training at the train station.

To optimize work processes, a special mobile application is installed on the phone for employees, a badge or bracelet is issued, and electronic BLE tags are attached to tangible assets.

The station administrator monitors the movement of staff in real time, can control the locations and working hours of employees, and see the movement of material assets inside the building and on the territory.

Indoors Navigation Platform - a universal building management platform that allows you to solve many tasks related to determining the position of users, monitoring operational systems and services, and increasing monetization.

To learn more about the solution for navigation at railway stations, see the article our case review blog.