Relevant services for strengthening intermodal travel chains rail-air travel

Abstract

When travelling by plane, people often use private cars or taxis as a means of transport to the airport, or short-haul flights for longer distances. There are two main reasons why public transport or the train are often not used: i) For many people, taking luggage to the airport is more complicated than using a car or a short-haul flight, ii) Many people are used to the ‘world of aviation’ but feel overwhelmed when using ‘unfamiliar’ systems (e.g. public transport in other countries). The AirWorld-Door2Door exploratory project investigated whether AI-based services could enable a seamless ‘aviation experience’ from door to door, utilizing sustainable transport modes for the pre- and post-flight journey. Given the diversity of application areas and the complexity of AI usage, an initial exploratory analysis was conducted to identify existing gaps in appeal and appropriate measures. Based on this, systems were designed, such as facilities to facilitate baggage transport (e.g. through baggage drop-off on the feeder train) or a virtual escort service along the entire travel chain, which provides information tailored to personal needs at every stage of an intermodal journey. Real-time information is particularly important in the event of disruptions (e.g. service disruptions or delays) and targeted instructions on what to do to still reach the flight on time.