Digital signposts
How smart bus stop masts improve rail replacement services in the Rhineland
With the introduction of 140 mobile, digital stop masts, the North Rhine-Westphalian public transport authorities for local rail passenger transport (SPNV) - go.Rheinland, Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR) and Nahverkehr Westfalen-Lippe (NWL) - are setting new standards for passenger information in rail replacement services (SEV).
Innovative technology for flexible operations
In May 2025, the North Rhine-Westphalian regional public transport authorities put a total of 140 mobile and digital bus stop masts into operation. The systems are used during major construction work, provide real-time information and improve passenger orientation during roadworks.
Equipped with electronic timetable boxes (e-paper), they provide real-time information and information and are easily recognizable thanks to their eye-catching design. Additional function buttons can be used to call up timetables, roadworks information and real-time and target journey time data via voice output ("text-to-speech").
The mobile stop masts are used in particular for complex and long-lasting construction measures that affect many passengers. Following successful test runs and technical adjustments, they are now being used across the board in all three areas of the association. In the go.Rheinland area, for example, 48 masts were in use due to the commissioning of the "Linker Rhein" electronic interlocking system (ESTW).
Efficient roadworks management
According to the current planning status, around 90 construction measures are planned for 2025 in the go.Rheinland association area, 40 of which will involve total closures and 43 with other restrictions. Systematic construction site management is necessary to minimize their impact on passengers. The basis for this is a differentiated categorization according to the duration and scope of the measures:
"In addition to the structured construction site management, the newly introduced SEV stop masts are also a sign of go.Rheinland's commitment to improving mobility in the Rhineland and informing passengers as early as possible about urgently needed construction work on the rail network."