Electric river transport, Moscow

June 20, 2023 – Russian President Vladimir Putin and Mayor of Moscow Sergei Sobyanin opened the world's first year-round electric river transport route along the Moskva river.The decision to revive river urban transport has been implemented as one of the most high-tech and sustainable transport projects of the Moscow Government. It is designed to further improve the quality of life of Moscow's residents and guests. The innovative project includes 21 electric river vessels, 23 floating berths, 6 coastal charging stations, 2 permanent river fleet terminals.

The project's uniqueness lies in the facility's maximum ease of control and use.All systems are automated, thus leaving no room for human error. At the first stage, 6 berths of the first route will be launched – Kievsky, Trekhgorny, Kutuzovsky, City-Bagration, City-Tsentralny, and Serdtse Stolitsy ("Heart of the Capital"). In some cases, river transport will save passengers 30-40 minutes and the breathtaking sights of Moscow will not go unappreciated. 21 electric ice-rated vessel will be gradually put into operation for river routes. This will allow passengers to travel all year round.

Modern, innovative disc-shaped piers are designed to accommodate two vessels simultaneously. For passenger convenience, the piers are equipped with waiting areas featuring seating, cafes, and restrooms. Boarding is conducted through turnstiles specifically adapted for visually impaired and passengers with reduced mobility, incorporating bright color backgrounds and large-font displays. The piers are also equipped with digital boards displaying real-time schedules. River transport services are fully integrated into Moscow's transportation system.

As part of the project, the company "Infomatika" is responsible for equipping the river electric transport piers with a high-tech automated fare payment system:

• The development and production of specialized smart turnstiles with payment functionality and unique technical and design features;
• Ergonomic placement of fare control equipment in the limited space of the pier's entrances and exits;
• Integration of the river electric transport management system into the overall Moscow transportation system;
• Development and implementation of software for monitoring the status of turnstiles and pier management systems;
• Laying communications, installation, and commissioning of equipment;
• Production and installation of mounting cabinets.

Custom Development of the "Pilot" Smart Turnstile

Like other Infomatika's smart turnstiles,the "Pilot" is multifunctional and compatible with many other third-party software systems. It features an elegant design and is made of smart-looking black tempered glass.

 

Distinctive Features of the "Pilot" Turnstile:

- Compact Design: (Measuring 70 cm in length and 90 cm in width)

to ensure comfortable passage for passengers through the reduced-length turnstiles, the "Pilots" are equipped with an additional system of various types of sensors.

- Built-in Passage Zone Controller Integrated with the Moscow City Transport passenger counting and ticketing systems, 

the turnstile's access control system automatically regulates passenger flow, including the number of individuals on the pier and those boarding the vessel.

- Manual Operation Mode:

In the event of a system failure or loss of connectivity, the access control system autonomously switches to manual operation. In case of fire hazards, the turnstiles automatically switch to emergency mode.

- Fare Payment Functionality

Passengers can pay for their journey using bank cards, the "Troika" card, Face Pay, or the Faster Payment System (FPS).

For greater passenger safety, the company's engineers proposed a solution that involves transferring the turnstile power supplies to a dedicated free-standing mounting cabinet. In this case, high voltage is not applied directly to the turnstiles, ensuring maximum safety when contacting the device

During the first three phases of the project (2023–2024), the following tasks were completed:

• Production and installation of 108 semi-height swing turnstiles Pilot with built-in passage area controllers and IP cameras.
• Manufacture and installation of 18 mounting cabinets, each equipped with an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), 108 power units, and a turnstile monitoring server.
• Development and implementation of monitoring software for turnstile status and pier management