SWR App?

[Bungle73]

If you go into the app, and look up a train the in the live running section, at the top is a diagram that purports to show you how busy each individual carriage is. Does anyone know if this is based on actual live data, or is it too good to be true, and only based on some form of previously collected data?

 

[JAWZ]

It appears to be something locally collected via the train cameras (ie actual live data), but I can’t find a public API for this data. Closest I can find is the capacity planning stuff (https://raildata.org.uk/dataProduct/P-f72ecf69-bc63-4c3f-8169-e6124539be95/overview). It looks like its been a pilot programme for a while (2021 according to this https://www.southwesternrailway.com...-information-to-help-enable-social-distancing), maybe it still is? Given that they’re now state-owned I guess an FOI request might grant access to the API.

 

[greaterwest]

It uses the same source as the platform displays at the stations do, which is supposedly live data. I find that it varies between wildly inaccurate (3 carriage train from Exeter to London shown as "low" on all carriages at somewhere like Basingstoke) to being reasonably accurate, including updating as soon as the train has departed the previous stop.

 

[Horizon22]

It will be based on one of two things:

1) Live loadweigh data. A lot of TOCs are making this data available through the fleet data and then loading it through Darwin so that it can reach all the apps / CIS etc. This comes from "weighing" the train at specific points, using the average human weight (so there is variance) and spitting out a figure. I do not think all rolling stock can do this, but perhaps it has been retro-fitted to older trains (e.g. 158 and 159s).

2) Average loading data. Less accurate and based more on manual reporting and visible "checks" where the specific train might be categorised on say 4-5 levels from "empty" all the way to "full and standing".

Based on what I've seen, I would suggest SWR's app is Option 1.

 

[ThisIsSurbiton]

Based on what I've seen, I would suggest SWR's app is Option 1.

It would be, as the only per coach data is from real-time observation (weight or cameras). The historic expected loading is per stop per train, and can be a percentage or as @Horizon22 says, a category.

The proper way to publish both of these is through Darwin, some TOCs do - Southeastern, Greater Anglia - but SWR keep it to themselves, unfortunately.

 

[Bungle73]

Thanks.

I’m hoping to do a trip to the New Forest, and I was wondering how accurate it would be to judge where to stand on the platform for the least busy coach.

 

[fandroid]

From Basingstoke I simply go to the far down end of the platform for a New Forest trip (Brockenhurst). Even if it's a 10 coach train splitting at Southampton, the effect of ex-Waterloo passengers moving forward for a faster journey from there is much reduced and the first two coaches normally have plenty of space

 

[Bungle73]

From Basingstoke I simply go to the far down end of the platform for a New Forest trip (Brockenhurst). Even if it's a 10 coach train splitting at Southampton, the effect of ex-Waterloo passengers moving forward for a faster journey from there is much reduced and the first two coaches normally have plenty of space

Thanks.

 

[Benjwri]

This arcs back to when it was part of First Group, as mentioned above, and is using live data as mentioned. GWR uses the same system on IETs.

The system is provided by a subsidiary of FirstGroup, which is why it isn’t in Darwin historically, and presumably a change to that will require renegotiation of the contract, or a new system.

 

[hotelmode]

I've seen the platform screens change whilst on a Desiro whilst still in the Platform at a station where many people got off. So I'd say its close to live.