Platform-Specific Announcements: Keep Passengers On Track
No one likes sitting down sweaty in the nearest seat, out of breath from running up three flights of stairs onto three different platforms. Or struggling to hear announcements over the general hubbub of a busy station, only to see your train away on another platform.
Imagine each platform equipped with directional speakers that deliver announcements only to passengers standing on that platform—no overlapping audio across platforms buzzing with trains and people. This precision would help passengers know exactly where to be, changing a sweaty run to a calm and relaxed stroll.
Despite the lack of data on wrong-platform misses, national statistics reveal the broader context of disruption: in the UK, there were 7.6 million delay claim incidents during April 2023 and March 2024 (a 30 % increase year-on-year), affecting commuter journeys across multiple operators (Tank). With train reliability at only around 67 % of arrivals on‑time in 2024 and cancellations affecting 5.1 % of all services, any technology that enhances clarity and reduces passenger error could significantly reduce missed connections and delays ( dataportal.orr.gov.uk)
While exact numbers for wrong-platform misses are not publicly available, hundreds of thousands of cancellations and unreliable timetables hinder timely platform access—highlighting the urgent need for sharper, localized communication like directional speakers.
Directional speakers tailored to each individual platform would:
- Deliver platform‑specific departure calls without bleed‑over.
- Reduce confusion during last-minute changes.
- Allow staff or passengers to better trust visual info and sound cues.
Our SB-18 and SB-47 SonicBeam speakers would be perfect for directing sound along individual platforms, ensuring customers know exactly where they need to be, and eliminating as much confusion as possible from their journeys.
Accessibility Enhancement: Audio Cues for Vision-Impaired Travellers
Another powerful application is placing directional speakers beneath or adjacent to digital information boards. These could provide audio interpretations of schedule changes, delays, train departure info, and platform assignments—tailored directly to the location of the signage, without echoing across the surrounding area.
For people with visual impairments, this means:
- Receiving clear, targeted announcements in the exact context of the board they’re near.
- Avoiding the need to search for staff or hunt down audio.
- Experiencing greater confidence and ease when navigating journey changes.
Accessibility is increasingly central to modern station design. Directional audio enhances inclusive wayfinding, making travel not just possible but more enjoyable for those with visual impairments.
Our Audio Spotlight range could be the answer to this issue, ensuring clear sound finds its way to the passengers who need it most.
Directional Speakers for Information & Advertising Boards
A third key application is enhancing advertising and digital signage in and around train stations. From touchscreen displays to branded product booths, directional speakers can deliver crystal-clear, location-specific audio that draws attention—without flooding the surrounding area with sound.
📍 Ideal locations include:
- Ticket halls and waiting areas
- Retail walkways inside stations
- Street-level outdoor displays near station entrances
- Interactive kiosks for journey planning or local events
🎧 Instead of static posters, imagine a coffee brand display softly saying:
“Start your journey with a fresh cup—find us opposite Platform 4.”
Or an information board gently announcing:
“Thameslink services from Platform 2 are running with delays. Check your journey here.”
Benefits:
- Grabs attention in a non-intrusive way
- Increases dwell time and engagement
- Allows for hyper-targeted audio content based on display location
This not only helps passengers get the info they need—but also gives advertisers a more engaging, measurable way to connect with passers-by.
Our SB-24 and MA-4 bar speakers would suit this application perfectly, providing targeted sound to potential customers, without disturbing those around them.
Why Directional Speakers Are Ideal for Stations
| Benefit | How It Helps |
| Spatial precision | Audio reaches only passengers on intended platform |
| Reduced audio clutter | No overlapping announcements across platforms |
| Improved clarity | Reduces confusion amid last-minute platform changes |
| Greater inclusivity | Vision-impaired users get direct station-sourced audio |
| Tailorable messages | Can push targeted alerts per platform or display |
So, with directional speakers providing clear communication to passengers on platforms, as well as to those struggling with visual impairments, the general chaos of the British rail system can be made that little bit easier to navigate.
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