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Touch Is in the Air
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Touch
Is Just the Ticket
The most successful applications of touch technology in the transportation
industry are public-access ticketing and check-in kiosks in airport,
bus, and train terminals. Touch-based systems are an integral part
of the rapid growth of ticketing kiosk applications because the touch
interface is universal and can be used by anyone regardless of language,
education, or socioeconomic or cultural background. 
Elo
touch technology and touchmonitors are the preferred choice of leading
airlines around the world for their self check-in terminals. Using
interactive touch technology, passengers can check in early,
reduce time spent in line at the check-in desk, and also check in their
baggage automatically.  ... forty-nine percent of young Americans would rather
use a touch screen at a check-in kiosk in an airport than speak
with an airline agent. - Survey by Penn, Schoen, & Berland |
In-Flight Entertainment/Cabin Management
Among the most popular applications of touch technology in the airline industry are in-flight entertainment (IFE) and cabin management systems. The touch-based cabin management system assists the cabin crews with many of their tasks and allows airlines to improve passenger services such as the lighting in passenger compartments and the distribution of audio and video IFE systems.
Devices for the IFE
market must be qualified for use on an airplane, and because of space
constraints they must be lightweight, compact, and clear and easy to
use. Touch-enabled IFE systems are more viable than traditional systems,
which use physical buttons and take up more space.
AccuTouch five-wire and CarrollTouch infrared touchscreens are ideal to meet these imposed constraints because they provide a clear, bright image on the LCD screens most commonly used in IFE systems.
AccuTouch and CarrollTouch technology are also the preferred choice for cabin management. A touch-based cabin management system extends its traditional tasks to manage the software required in other parts of the passenger areas. AccuTouch resistive technology often powers the interface for an airplane's Flight Attendant Panel (FAP). The FAP controls lighting, temperature, and IFE in the passenger compartments as well as water and wastewater levels and the statutory announcement of the exit doors and smoking/nonsmoking indicators.
Aviation Training
Flight simulators are absolutely necessary but also very expensive. One manufacturer of advanced aviation-training equipment has managed to reduce simulator training time by more than 30 percent with the use of modules powered by IntelliTouch surface-wave technology. The trainers use the touchmonitor to easily select from various simulated scenarios, cutting the pilot's standard three-week training period to a mere ten days.
Control Tower and Communications
IntelliTouch surface-wave touch technology is used around the world to control runway lights and communicate with aircraft as well as in radar and weather systems, all designed to simplify critical systems while providing a more comprehensive service to airlines.
