Warning of a train approaching a railway crossing is an important and useful function because it can help prevent accidents at level crossings. If a driver is unaware that a train is coming, they may be tempted to speed up and try to beat the train or misjudge how long it will take for the train to arrive at the crossing. This could lead to a dangerous and potentially fatal collision, especially if the driver does not have time to stop before crossing the tracks. By providing an early warning of approaching trains, Traffication can help drivers avoid these types of accidents and keep everyone safe.
Škoda has developed a new safety feature in cooperation with the Czech railway company Leo Express. Real-time train locations are regularly transmitted to the cloud, which then communicates the information to any Škoda vehicle using the Traffication infotainment app near a level crossing with a train approaching. The warning about the approaching train is shown on the central infotainment display along with an acoustic and pop-up notification.
Škoda is already working on integrating other railway companies across Europe, while discussions with several others are ongoing.
Traffication app is available for download from the in-car shop and online in the Škoda Connect shop. It can be installed in all current Škoda models apart from the Enyaq iV, provided the vehicle is equipped with the top infotainment system from the third-generation Modular Infotainment Matrix. The app then runs automatically in the background without the driver having to switch it on. It immediately shows warnings on the central infotainment display whenever drivers encounter traffic hazards in their immediate vicinity.
Customers already using the app can download the update now. An update notification will appear in the infotainment notification centre. Similarly, the in-car shop will show that an update is available. The app will be installed after being confirmed by the user.
Besides the newly added warnings of approaching trains, the app already displays other types of warnings either from traffic information providers or directly from Škoda cars. Traffication can warn drivers of severe weather, bad road conditions, or accidents ahead.
In addition, the app can detect a wrong-way driver joining a motorway against the traffic flow and warn other drivers of the potential danger. Poor visibility can be identified, for example by Škoda vehicles switching the fog lights on, and this information is sent to the cloud. In addition, Škoda drivers can manually report traffic hazards to the cloud with a single click to warn all other Škoda drivers using Traffication. The app is now available in 32 European countries and issues warnings in 23 languages.
Source: Škoda
