Feasibility study: Magnetic-based passenger localization in train stations

Abstract

Train stations are a key element of any transport network because they concentrate a large amount of passenger traffic on a daily basis. Passenger localization in train stations is though limited nowadays by the lack of satellite reception indoors and underground. A possible solution could be to use magnetometers, since they are embedded in today’s smartphones and are available in all urban environments. One of the most extended algorithms to perform magnetic localization is magnetic fingerprinting, however magnetic fingerprinting has not yet been proved viable in train stations. The aim of this article is to present a feasibility study of the possibility to apply magnetic fingerprinting in train stations to locate passengers. We have measured and analyzed the magnetic maps of different train stations in Munich, Germany. Our results show that, the functioning of the trains and the electric topology of the stations hinder the passenger localization using magnetic fingerprinting.