Platform Indicators

[NeilCr]

I'm sure this is quite a simple question and apologies if it's in the wrong forum

How does the train time information get to platform indicators.

This came to mind when I was sitting on Canterbury West station on Tuesday. Storm Henk day. I was lucky in that my delay was minimal (about ten minutes). The indicator shows where the train is (ie between Ashford International and Wye) expected arrival time etc etc. The time fluctuated and just before the train arrived it was still showing that it would be another couple of minutes. I suppose I thought it was GPS and/or estimated travel times between stations

It's just idle curiosity really and sorry if it is a bit basic!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

If you mean things like Real Time Trains, it "predicts" from the usual or booked platform; once the platform number goes bold it's confirmed - either through the train being in the platform or on a route which can only take it to that particular platform; in both cases it'll be when it's definite on the Network Rail systems that feed the data.

 

[skyhigh]

If you mean things like Real Time Trains, it "predicts" from the usual or booked platform; once the platform number goes bold it's confirmed - either through the train being in the platform or on a route which can only take it to that particular platform; in both cases it'll be when it's definite on the Network Rail systems that feed the data.

I think the OP means the expected arrival time of a service as shown on the platform information displays.

It's taken from signalling data showing the location of the train and normal time taken to cover the distance.

 

[NeilCr]

I think the OP means the expected arrival time of a service as shown on the platform information displays.

It's taken from signalling data showing the location of the train and normal time taken to cover the distance.

Yes

That's what I meant in my ham fisted way!

 

[Annetts key]

An additional non-safety system, called the Train Describer (TD) which is part of the signalling system, takes routing and train movement information from the safety critical signalling system. The primary purpose of the TD is so that signallers (and automatic routing systems) and control know where each train is. So that at junctions, depots and stations, each train can be routed the correct way.

The modern TD systems can also send the train numbers/codes (TDs / headcodes) to other systems. Network Rail makes this information available to train companies and via their open data feeds (which websites and apps use).

When combined with timetable information, this data can be used by the customer information systems (CIS). The display/screens you find on stations are part of the CIS.