Motorway rest area of the future

Since the beginning of 2024, travellers on Austria’s A1 West motorway have been able to enjoy a range of innovative technologies at the first “Rest Area of the Future”. The ASFINAG service area in Roggendorf offers a large outdoor touch display, intelligent mirrors in the washrooms and other interactive information sources. As an ecological flagship project, it meets the needs of the modern traveller and serves as a unique European hub for information, interaction and entertainment. Behind this high-tech experience is the operating company ASFINAG, supported by the agency Kraftwerk and Garamantis, who are jointly implementing the innovative concept.

Outdoor touch display

A highlight of the rest area is the so-called “iWall”, an 86-inch outdoor touch display. This central element combines a digital signage information system with interactive use. Thanks to multi-touch, several visitors can interact with the system at the same time and learn about ASFINAG’s ecological processes on the sustainability map. The map’s detailed real-time 3D model provides an overview of sustainable motorway operations as well as current weather and traffic information. Special attention has been paid to the accessibility of all touch points. This ensures easy use by people of all ages and physical abilities.

Technical implementation

The multi-touch software, the 3D model and the central content management system (CMS) were developed by Garamantis on behalf of Kraftwerk. The CMS will also be used to manage other ASFINAG interactive display installations, such as a multi-touch table, as well as other displays in the 59 ASFINAG rest areas in the future.

Photo: Kraftwerk