Stations are true cities within cities, deeply embedded in the urban fabric, whose integrated and coordinated management requires a tremendous effort from the thousands of people who work every day to make the station a comfortable and safe environment for passengers and citizens.
The cleanliness of the spaces, security, and the efficiency of countless technological systems — everything is important to maintain the functionality of a station at its best.
What makes a station a "Smart Station" is the care and attention given to space management with the latest technologies, allowing station users to enjoy functional, safe, clean, and air-conditioned spaces. All of this is done with a focus on the environment, energy efficiency, and new energy sources.
Grandi Stazioni Rail has implemented and continues to develop a series of modern space management systems that bring Italy's largest stations to the top of European standards:
Through the electronic registration of all technological components of the station, it is possible to track the status of elements in real-time, allowing for the organized planning of both routine maintenance and any necessary repairs.
Bringing station complexes and their technological systems onto a digital platform allows for real-time realistic visualization of the environments, with resulting benefits in terms of speeding up the processes of inventorying assets, maintenance, and space security.
IoT (Internet of Things) refers to the application of network activities to devices. In this way, the devices themselves become capable of communicating with each other and adapting their operation based on the functional relationships prescribed by users.
An example of IoT usage occurs in case of an emergency: if a system detects a gas leak, it automatically communicates to other systems to allow access to the area only to authorized personnel and to cut off the power supply to the systems present.
Through the geolocation of cleaning machinery, a better management of processes and a more widespread distribution of resources are enabled.
Replacement of all lighting elements with LED technology devices that allow for the optimization of consumption and significant energy savings.
At the same time, Grandi Stazioni Rail is evaluating a series of projects for the implementation of self-production systems for green energy (photovoltaic plants) that will improve energy efficiency while respecting the environment.
The GEEA (Green Energy & Efficiency Audit) is a system for studying environments that focuses on energy efficiency through careful analysis of air flows within the spaces to optimize the air conditioning of the areas.
In this way, in addition to improving the energy efficiency of the stations, there is a better perception of the environments by the station users, resulting in an increase in comfort.
Grandi Stazioni Rail is committed to obtaining ISO 14001 (environmental management system) and OHSAS (certification of the system for managing processes related to workplace safety and fire prevention) certifications by 2020.
In 2017, Grandi Stazioni Rail certified its Environmental Management System in accordance with the ISO 14001:2015 standard at the following stations:
• Roma Termini
• Milano Centrale
• Venezia S. Lucia