Subway

In subways today, track level communications are done much as they were 50 years ago - with a series of pre-determined signals using a flashlight.  If there is an emergency in a subway, it is difficult if not impossible to get communications from within the tunnel to the surface, where first responders are largely located.  Fixed emergency call boxes are often located over a hundred yards from the site of the emergency, requiring a difficult dash down the tunnel for the engineer in charge.  In addition, in many cases the existing cabled communications system, called "leaky feeder," is bent, damaged, cut, or otherwise inoperable.  This makes getting consistent signals, such as train arrival and departure, from the tunnel to the surface a significant challenge. 

Vital Alert is currently working with one of the world's largest subway systems on a proof-of-concept trial for an RFID train arrival and departure system.  We are partnered with one of the world's largest transportation solutions providers in this effort.

Mobile Emergency Communications System