New 'intelligent' train which tells passengers where to sit

A train which tells passengers where to stand on the platform in order to get a seat could be operating on south London commuter services by 2013.

The "helpful" train, which designers claim will do away with "sardine-tin" travel, even knows when to turn the air conditioning on.

The Desiro City design uses technology to count the number of passengers per carriage to tailor air temperature and advise waiting passengers which carriage is least crammed. The information is sent to the next station where lights show passengers where to stand.

The train has sensors to switch off air conditioning when carriages are empty. Designers claim the system is more environmentally friendly than others because it uses air from outside to lower the temperature inside.

Siemens Mobility, the company that designed the train, said Londoners will be the first to benefit from the trains - the first of their kind in Europe - if the firm wins the bid to operate the Thameslink service. The design is being considered by the Department for Transport to be used on services between Bedford and Brighton.

A TfL spokeswoman said: "We are working with the industry on technologies that would shape the next generation of trains."