On December 13th, 2020, the new ÖBB announcement gong will sound for the first time in Austria-wide stations after 30 years.
When the timetable changes on December 13th, 2020, the new ÖBB announcement gong will also sound for the first time at train stations across Austria. This will replace the old gong after 30 years. The new gong will in future be played before announcements. It is used very often and is therefore as short as possible. According to the ÖBB, this relaxed note B (B for railway) has a calming effect. It is cautiously “mastered” in the bass range so that it is not annoying for neighbors but can be easily heard by passengers. Because at the train station people are confronted with a multitude of different pointers.
Due to the large amount and the different values of this information, it is necessary that passengers can make a clear acoustic assignment. Not only does a uniform visual appearance increase the quality of the information, but also an unmistakable acoustic appearance. This is also helpful in terms of accessibility for those people who can perceive visual information poorly or not at all.
As a comprehensive mobility service provider, ÖBB bring 477 million passengers and 105 million tons of goods to their destination in an environmentally friendly manner. Rail travelers are particularly climate-friendly when traveling. Because 100 percent of the traction current comes from renewable energy sources. In 2019, ÖBB was one of the most punctual railways in Europe with around 96 percent punctuality. With investments in the rail infrastructure of over two billion euros annually, ÖBB is building the rail system for tomorrow. Group-wide 41,904 bus and train employees as well as an additional 2,000 apprentices ensure that around 1.3 million travelers arrive safely at their destination every day.
