Mapping Real-Time Trains Traffic

Two projects mapping the predicted real-time positions of trains. Since train operators do not disclose the actual location of a train, these services must use indirect ways to collect these data. Where Are Trains (France) parses online schedule boards of different stations such as the one of Paris Montparnasse. The position of the train obtained in real-time upon Arrivals and with at least a 1-h delay for departures. Then the system uses pre-builded time profiles to estimate the current location of trains by-passing potential stopovers. Similarly Train Map (Switzerland) uses train timetable, and does not yet show the actual GPS-positions of the trains. “But, as Swiss trains are almost always on time, most of the time the position is accurate”.

Tracking a train in Zürich with Train Map.
Relation to my thesis: The predictive approach used in this systems generates uncertain data that determine a location in space (where is it) and time (when was it there). Does the temporal granularity of these location information affects the decision making? In what kind of scenario would people rely on these informations

Mapping real-time train traffic follows the trend of vessel tracking (e.g. planes and boats)