RTPI expansion?

bk · 23-01-2015 12:07pm #1

It looks like some new RTPI poles and screens are being put up!

A RTPI pole (no screen yet) has appeared next to my local bus stop

Not sure if it is a once off or a wider expansion.

I was always surprised that my local bus stop didn't get a RTPI screen as it is a very busy stop * much, much busier then some other stops that got screens long ago.

* Busy enough that the NTA thinks it should be a BRT stop close by.

coylemj · 23-01-2015 7:06pm

Which begs the question - given that the buses are all equipped with GPS, does DB track how many people get on at each stop and use that to determine which stops warrant an RTPI display? Or is it an NTA decision and if it is, what metric do they use?

bk · 23-01-2015 7:35pm

coylemj wrote: »

Which begs the question - given that the buses are all equipped with GPS, does DB track how many people get on at each stop and use that to determine which stops warrant an RTPI display? Or is it an NTA decision and if it is, what metric do they use?

Im sure Alek or one of the other DB drivers can confirm, but I believe DB don't currently have the ability to track how many people board at each stop.

Currently the GPS and DB ticket machines aren't linked, so the ticket machine doesn't know it's location. I believe they plan to do this, but it hasn't been implemented yet *

* Actually this project seems to have been delayed for more then a year, I wonder is it because the DB ticket machines are already struggling with Leap and thus this would be too much for them or perhaps they are waiting for the new ticket machines which are rumoured to come this year.

I believe the driver is meant to manually update his location at each bus stop. However if you ever look at your ticket, this can often be a few stops off, so I'm not sure how accurate the data would be.

LXFlyer · 23-01-2015 7:42pm

coylemj wrote: »

Which begs the question - given that the buses are all equipped with GPS, does DB track how many people get on at each stop and use that to determine which stops warrant an RTPI display? Or is it an NTA decision and if it is, what metric do they use?

The ticket machine (if properly updated) does provide more than sufficient data about the numbers boarding at each stage, but not each stop.

There is no connection between the GPS equipment and the ticket machine currently.

ted1 · 23-01-2015 7:44pm

lxflyer wrote: »

The ticket machine (if properly updated) does provide more than sufficient data about the numbers boarding at each stage, but not each stop.

There is no connection between the GPS equipment and the ticket machine currently.

cant track how many get off. Sime software linked to the door camera could do the job

LXFlyer · 23-01-2015 7:50pm

ted1 wrote: »

cant track how many get off. Sime software linked to the door camera could do the job

Well I'd imagine for the purposes of deciding what stops need an RTPI display, the numbers boarding would be the important data?

n97 mini · 23-01-2015 8:59pm

lxflyer wrote: »

The ticket machine (if properly updated) does provide more than sufficient data about the numbers boarding at each stage, but not each stop..

I always thought every stop the driver updated something by pressing a button?

But back to the original question, is this data gathered by the machines used in any way?

LXFlyer · 23-01-2015 9:03pm

Absolutely - it provides data on numbers boarding at locations so at the very least can be used for route planning (assuming similar numbers get off at the stops in the opposite direction).

My point was once the driver has kept the ticket machine updated then the data is valid, and most of the time in my experience they do to be fair.

n97 mini · 23-01-2015 9:04pm

No I mean is the data used in RTPI pole planning or is it completely ignored?

punisher5112 · 23-01-2015 9:05pm

I have noticed some new ones been fitted in places I didn't think would be of that much use as the stops wouldn't be very busy from my experience.

Even if every bus stop was fitted there would be people still giving out.

One thing I learnt very quick with working with the public is you are always wrong and everything is our fault.

LXFlyer · 23-01-2015 9:46pm

n97 mini wrote: »

No I mean is the data used in RTPI pole planning or is it completely ignored?

Yes - I would imagine it was - it's the old hard data they have. It's not ideal but it would provide a useful guide.

ted1 · 24-01-2015 1:36am

lxflyer wrote: »

Well I'd imagine for the purposes of deciding what stops need an RTPI display, the numbers boarding would be the important data?

Why put in limited technology when you can gather so much more data

Carawaystick · 24-01-2015 2:13am

It's important to point out the nta have erected several poles for rtpi signs before they were sure they could power the displays with electricity....

putting in ulimited technology limited by reality....

LXFlyer · 24-01-2015 3:33am

ted1 wrote: »

Why put in limited technology when you can gather so much more data

I have no idea what you're on about?

Victor · 24-01-2015 9:26am

n97 mini wrote: »

I always thought every stop the driver updated something by pressing a button?

This is them updating the stage, it doesn't happen at every stop.

But back to the original question, is this data gathered by the machines used in any way?

Yes, it can be. For the purposes of something like this, you don't have to track every single journey. What they can do is pick a random sample of journey and match the time stamps of the ticket machine and the GPS tracking.

The current expansion seems to be related to transfers stops and the Luas Cross City diversions. One of the issues with the initial rollout was that RTPI stops became busier and adjacent non-RTPI stops became less busy.

coylemj · 24-01-2015 1:11pm

Carawaystick wrote: »

It's important to point out the nta have erected several poles for rtpi signs before they were sure they could power the displays with electricity....

putting in ulimited technology limited by reality....

AFAIK they are self-powered (solar panel on top I assume) because in most cases there's no mains supply and there's no evidence of a trench where a supply was laid on. The bus shelters with illuminated advertising obviously have power but without digging a trench to the RTPI pole, they have to be self-powered.

LXFlyer · 24-01-2015 1:16pm

I'm pretty sure they need an ESB connection - that's what held up many of them beig activated initially.

ArmaniJeanss · 24-01-2015 1:42pm

OP you probably know this already - for dubBus stops without an RTPI display you can still get RTPI using the stop number and the various apps.
(Obviously need a smartphone).

n97 mini · 24-01-2015 1:52pm

coylemj wrote: »

AFAIK they are self-powered (solar panel on top I assume) because in most cases there's no mains supply and there's no evidence of a trench where a supply was laid on. The bus shelters with illuminated advertising obviously have power but without digging a trench to the RTPI pole, they have to be self-powered.

You couldn't solar power a LED display 24x7 without a very noticeable panel. Cabling is usually run by digging horizontal holes. There's no need for trenches any more.

Victor · 24-01-2015 3:22pm

coylemj wrote: »

AFAIK they are self-powered (solar panel on top I assume) because in most cases there's no mains supply and there's no evidence of a trench where a supply was laid on. The bus shelters with illuminated advertising obviously have power but without digging a trench to the RTPI pole, they have to be self-powered.

Some have a new ESB Networks mini-pillar while others are supplied from the bus shelter connection. The electricity suppliers are happy enough to supply electricity to street furniture without fitting a meter, as the energy use is fairly predictable.

bk · 25-01-2015 1:25am

Grrhh, so earlier today I noticed that the new RTPI pole at my local bus stop is right next to the bus shelter, as in just 10cm away. Because of this, you won't actually be able to see the RTPI display when standing under the bus shelter as the majority of people do at this stop!!

Normally they place the RTPI screens a meter or two from the bus shelter, which means due to the angle you can see the screen. But they have clearly fecked up the placement of the screen at this stop.

Stupid, stupid :mad:

_Kaiser_ · 25-01-2015 1:29pm

bk wrote: »

Grrhh, so earlier today I noticed that the new RTPI pole at my local bus stop is right next to the bus shelter, as in just 10cm away. Because of this, you won't actually be able to see the RTPI display when standing under the bus shelter as the majority of people do at this stop!!

Normally they place the RTPI screens a meter or two from the bus shelter, which means due to the angle you can see the screen. But they have clearly fecked up the placement of the screen at this stop.

Stupid, stupid :mad:

Report it before it goes live? Better to do it now while it's just an inactive pole

AlekSmart · 25-01-2015 1:32pm

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

Report it before it goes live? Better to do it now while it's just an inactive pole

Absolutely !

Remember the actual streetside infrastructure falls within the remit of Dublin City Council,who may not be all that well-tuned to the requirements of a Bus user.....This ain't TfL we're talking about here.......yet

Victor · 25-01-2015 1:45pm

bk wrote: »

Grrhh, so earlier today I noticed that the new RTPI pole at my local bus stop is right next to the bus shelter, as in just 10cm away. Because of this, you won't actually be able to see the RTPI display when standing under the bus shelter as the majority of people do at this stop!!

Normally they place the RTPI screens a meter or two from the bus shelter, which means due to the angle you can see the screen. But they have clearly fecked up the placement of the screen at this stop.

Stupid, stupid :mad:

Contact traffic@dublincity.ie and info@nationaltransport.ie

LXFlyer · 25-01-2015 3:48pm

That problem is nothing new - that's the same at most bus shelters around the city as well as at every single LUAS stop.

n97 mini · 25-01-2015 6:22pm

lxflyer wrote: »

That problem is nothing new - that's the same at most bus shelters around the city as well as at every single LUAS stop.

Lots of train stations have their signs blocked by other platform signage too.

bk · 25-01-2015 8:55pm

lxflyer wrote: »

That problem is nothing new - that's the same at most bus shelters around the city as well as at every single LUAS stop.

n97 mini wrote: »

Lots of train stations have their signs blocked by other platform signage too.

Doesn't make it excusable! Makes all the more shocking!

There is nothing stopping this particular RTPI screen being set back a meter or two.

RTPI expansion?

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