FAQs - How can we help you?

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the Flowy platform, sensor, dashboard and passenger-flow monitoring.

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General questions

What is Flowy?

Flowy is a proprietary platform for passenger-flow monitoring and mobility analysis. The solution combines an onboard sensor, artificial intelligence algorithms and an advanced dashboard to collect, process and visualise real-time data. Beyond automatic passenger counting, Flowy analyses origin-destination journeys, monitors occupancy and supports public transport planning with accurate, anonymised data.

Who is Flowy for?

Flowy is designed for public transport companies, railway operators, urban and interurban network managers, public authorities and organisations seeking reliable mobility data. The platform can also be used in stations, airports and smart cities to monitor people flows and improve space and service management.

Which vehicles can it be installed on?

The Flowy system is designed for buses, trains, trams and other public transport vehicles. With one sensor per vehicle or carriage, installation is simple, minimally invasive and requires no structural changes. The technology can also be integrated into stations, airports and smart mobility infrastructure.

What problems does it solve?

Flowy helps public transport operators understand passenger movements, providing useful data to optimise routes, schedules and resources. The platform monitors passenger flows, reconstructs origin-destination matrices, analyses vehicle occupancy and supports decisions based on up-to-date, reliable data. Data is automatically matched to the service/journey (automatic service matching)

How does it differ from traditional APC systems?

Traditional APC systems are mainly designed for passenger counting. Flowy combines counting with mobility-flow analysis, providing origin-destination matrices, real-time data and public transport planning tools. It also uses one sensor per vehicle and collects anonymised data in compliance with GDPR.

Flowy Technology

How does Flowy work?

Flowy uses a proprietary onboard sensor to collect data anonymously. Artificial intelligence algorithms process the information and make it available in the Flowy Dashboard, where it can be viewed, exported and integrated with other systems.

How are passenger flows monitored?

Monitoring uses proprietary WiFi-based technology to detect passenger presence during the journey. Collected data is processed to analyse mobility flows, occupancy and origin-destination journeys while fully respecting privacy. Passengers need take no action: they do not need to connect to any WiFi network or download an app.

How is data collected?

Data is collected by the onboard Flowy sensor and sent to the platform for processing. The system uses proprietary technology to provide reliable passenger-flow information without requiring any action from users.

What is an origin-destination matrix?

An origin-destination matrix shows which stop passengers start from and where their journey ends. This information helps understand transport demand, identify the most-used routes and plan services more efficiently.

Is data available in real time?

Yes. Flowy makes real-time data available through the dashboard, enabling operators to continuously monitor passenger flows and support quick decisions based on up-to-date information.

Can multimodal journeys be monitored?

Yes. Flowy analyses journeys involving multiple modes of transport, providing a complete view of passengers' routes and supporting more effective mobility planning.

Flowy Dashboard

What data does the dashboard show?

The Flowy Dashboard shows boarding, alighting and onboard passengers by stop and section, as well as origin-destination matrices. Data is organised clearly to facilitate service monitoring and planning.

Can data be exported?

Yes. All collected data can be exported for analysis, reporting or integration with other systems. Export is simple and allows the information to be used with third-party software.

Which formats are available?

The Flowy Dashboard supports CSV data export and provides APIs and GTFS-RT standards to facilitate integration with business systems and mobility platforms.

Does Flowy support APIs?

Yes. Flowy provides APIs to integrate data with corporate Data Lakes, management software, AVM systems and other platforms already used by public transport operators.

Is it compatible with GTFS?

Yes. Flowy supports the GTFS standard, enabling real-time data sharing and facilitating integration with information systems and public transport applications.

Does Flowy support automatic service matching?

Yes. Flowy collects and correlates vehicle position, service and punctuality data in real time, automatically matching passenger flows to the operated service through standards such as GTFS to ensure accurate, easily readable data.

Flowy Sensor

How does the sensor work?

The Flowy sensor detects passengers in real time through proprietary WiFi-based technology. Collected data is immediately anonymised and processed by the platform to monitor mobility flows and support public transport planning.

How many sensors are needed?

A single sensor per bus or railway carriage is enough. This simplifies installation, reduces system complexity and limits maintenance work.

Is installation invasive?

No. The Flowy sensor is designed for quick installation without structural vehicle changes. It requires no panel drilling and can be configured remotely.

Are specialist staff required?

No. Installation is simple, requires no particular expertise or specialisation and is often handled directly by maintenance staff. Configuration and software updates are also managed automatically remotely.

Does the sensor work with WiFi switched off?

Yes. The Flowy sensor collects data even from phones with WiFi switched off because the device continues to emit signals.

What happens if a passenger has two devices?

Flowy technology is designed to reduce duplicate counting when a passenger carries multiple devices. Our proprietary analysis algorithms assess parameters such as signal strength and device behaviour during the journey to recognise when multiple devices are highly likely to belong to the same person. This provides more accurate data representing actual passenger flows.

How accurate is the system?

Like all monitoring technologies, Flowy has a margin of error, continually reduced as our proprietary algorithms and artificial intelligence models evolve. The system learns from collected data and is continuously updated to improve precision and reliability, ensuring ever more accurate passenger-flow analysis.

What certifications does it have?

The Flowy sensor is certified to EN 50155 by Italcertifer, type-approved to ECE R10 for electromagnetic compatibility and protected by patents registered in Italy, Europe and the United States.

Privacy and security

Is Flowy GDPR-compliant?

Yes. Flowy is designed in full compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and adopts an approach based on privacy by design principles.

Is the data anonymous?

Yes. Collected data is anonymised and used exclusively for statistical passenger-flow analysis, without identifying people.

How do you protect privacy?

The platform uses proprietary technology and processes developed according to privacy by design principles. All data is processed in compliance with applicable regulations.

Does Flowy use cameras?

No. Flowy does not use cameras to monitor passengers. The system uses proprietary WiFi-based technology to collect data anonymously and non-invasively.

Installation and integration

How long does installation take?

Sensor installation is quick and varies by vehicle type. Thanks to its compact design and automatic configuration, the system can be put into operation rapidly.

Is it compatible with existing fleets?

Yes. Flowy is designed for buses and trains already in service, without significant changes to existing infrastructure.

Does it integrate with AVM systems?

Yes. Flowy can integrate with third-party AVM systems such as Almaviva's MOOVA and other platforms used by public transport operators.

Are APIs available?

Yes. Flowy provides APIs to integrate data with management software, corporate Data Lakes and other information systems.

How is configuration performed?

Initial configuration and system updates are performed automatically remotely, minimising onsite work.

Does installation have an impact or require a risk assessment?

Flowy sensor installation falls within Category A of the AMIS regulations. As work in this category, the system does not need review by an Independent Railway Assessment Body (OIF).