EAO Seat Reservation System wins Railway Technology Excellence Award 2025.

Powered by Global Data’s business intelligence, the Awards recognize the people and companies leading change and shaping the future of the industry. EAO won the award for developing a next-generation Seat Reservation System that demonstrates improvements in passenger flow management, energy efficiency, and system adaptability.

One of the core reasons for EAO’s recognition is its direct response to the growing complexity of passenger movement in today’s rail networks. As urbanization accelerates and mobility demands increase, rail operators face the challenge of efficiently routing large numbers of passengers through increasingly interconnected systems. EAO’s Seat Reservation System is designed to optimize this flow by making seat availability and reservation status immediately visible and understandable – thanks to bright, high-luminosity LED indicators.

Moreover, the integration of the seat reservation system with the train’s passenger information system ensures that reservation data is always up to date. EAO’s seat reservation system stands out for its exceptional flexibility and adaptability, which are critical in a market characterized by diverse rolling stock and evolving service requirements. The system is built on a standardized platform that allows for seamless integration with existing passenger information systems via CAN bus and Ethernet connectivity.

Flexible Integration, Customization, and Seamless Installation

Customization is a core strength of the solution. The display housing can be tailored to match the specific design and appearance requirements of different train interiors, ensuring a cohesive look and feel. The software is also highly adaptable, allowing operators to configure the display content to show information for one or two seats, rotate the display for left or right cable exits, and supplement the display with various symbols – such as those indicating aisle or window seats, or special areas for bicycles.

A major factor in EAO’s award is the system’s innovative approach to energy efficiency and sustainability. The seat reservation displays utilize advanced display technology that only consumes power when the displayed content changes, rather than during continuous operation. This feature significantly reduces the system’s overall energy consumption, which is particularly important for operators seeking to lower operational costs and improve their environmental performance. The displays offer high contrast and readability in all lighting conditions, with optional backlighting that activates only when necessary. This ensures that passengers can always access clear information without unnecessary energy expenditure.

Dominique Burkard, Principal Industrial and UX-Design Manager at EAO, said:

For over 75 years, EAO has been known for developing high-quality switches, keypads, and control elements – all the way to complete HMI panels and systems. This product clearly demonstrates how valuable it is to deeply understand the diverse needs of users and translate them into an ergonomic and flexible solution. By focusing on user-centered development using the design thinking method, we have created a system that not only performs reliably but also delivers a consistently positive user experience. After all, technology becomes meaningful when it is designed for humans.