New Customer Information Systems

[whole diary]

[Louis94]

The info point screens are more than sufficient on the Exmouth line, as there is very little tracking of train location.  (Tracking done via phone at Exmouth, and then track circuits at Topsham and on approach to Exmouth Junction.)  There are no track circuits on the Barnstaple line after Crediton, (just manual token exchange at Eggesford), so certainly not value for money putting screens up there.

Oh yes there are.  There are four at Salmon Pool level crossing, two at Eggesford level crossing and two at Umberleigh level crossing.

The information screen at Exmouth will be replaced, as that is currently being ran through the old system.

Also, the system does not necessarily need any way of tracking a trains location, as announcements, etc can operate on a timer.

The current systems at Wessex/Thames stations operates on a timer, and approaching announcements (Or "The next train to depart" in Thames areas) are triggered when a train hits a Train Describer in the signal box for the station therefore triggering an arrival report on Trust. (This is why you dont get approaching announcements within Cornwall/on the North Cotswold line)

The old Wessex system, and Thames Trains system does not have its own way of tracking trains it just feeds directly off Trust, that is why it was so unreliable when dealing with delays, because it just knew when a train had departed/arrived at stations, and not how far it was/where it was/whether it had stopped in between stations. The current system at Ex-Great Western Trains stations, and the new system have there own tracking system linked in with signal boxes, which generates a map and allows it to monitor trains. Of course this will not work on areas with mechanical signal boxes, like within Cornwall and on the North Cotswold line.

Hope this explains all! (Open for correction of course)

Louis

[Nibat]

The old Wesswex/Arriva CiS used to work on timers, at least in Devon and Cornwall.  I don't know the situation at Cornwall, but in Devon is different now.

The CiS sytem is not anymore link to Arriva, and it is getting all the information from Genius.  It is loink to the train describers for most of the announcements, but some still triggered by timer (that's why you can sometimes here the "the next train..." announcement more than once, one is the timer and one the describer).

The delays are now automatic most of the time, again that's why keep changing all the time...  They are still working on it with changes coming all the time, it's been about 3 weeks with the system showing 1, 2 or 3 minute delays.  It's not showing the number of carriages for every service at the moment, don't know why.  The formation of the HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s was suppose to be automatic, but Genius doesn't seem to report properly.  Some problems still with XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) services, some not being announced as CrossCountry at all, just as "trhe next train to arrive is the xx.xx service..."

But hey, still better than before!!!  All changes in preparation for the new system some time soon!

[Louis94]

The old Wesswex/Arriva CiS used to work on timers, at least in Devon and Cornwall.  I don't know the situation at Cornwall, but in Devon is different now.

The CiS sytem is not anymore link to Arriva, and it is getting all the information from Genius.  It is loink to the train describers for most of the announcements, but some still triggered by timer (that's why you can sometimes here the "the next train..." announcement more than once, one is the timer and one the describer).

The delays are now automatic most of the time, again that's why keep changing all the time...  They are still working on it with changes coming all the time, it's been about 3 weeks with the system showing 1, 2 or 3 minute delays.  It's not showing the number of carriages for every service at the moment, don't know why.  The formation of the HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s was suppose to be automatic, but Genius doesn't seem to report properly.  Some problems still with XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) services, some not being announced as CrossCountry at all, just as "trhe next train to arrive is the xx.xx service..."

But hey, still better than before!!!  All changes in preparation for the new system some time soon!

Yes i noticed there were a few changes! Also i notice that the "When boarding the train..." bit of the announcement that Arriva use has also gone! CrossCountry is a strange one, its announced it as XC appologising for a delay, but didnt announce it as Crosscountry service in the announcement!

Have never been to Teignmouth once and heard the "The next train..." Announcement more than once for a train, but I have at Exeter Central!
But something makes me think that the staff may of triggered some of the announcements there.

Have heard Teignmouths new system should be fitted anytime within the next few weeks, but of course that could be delayed!

[TerminalJunkie]

The station cafe at Barnstaple has it's own departures screen:

mad thing is this is actually the best departures screen i have seen, i remember thinking that last time i was up there

You're too kind

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

well as well as the regular information, the arrival time for each station on the route is a great idea and the bus info on the side is very usefull

[Chris from Nailsea]

Yes: it just goes to show how much very useful information could be provided on departure screens across the region, if only the 'powers that be' had the vision and imagination demonstrated by the providers of the Barnstaple Station cafe departures screen.

CfN. 

[ldf1985]

I've noticed changes recently to the CIS^▸ (Customer Information System) at Westbury.  For example...

'The train now approaching platform x' and 'The train at platform x' announcements are now far more consistent than they were before - activated automatically?

A through train warning announcement was given - first time I've ever heard one broadcast at Westbury.

Advance warning announcement of disruption to services because of weekend engineering works.

Delays of 1, 2 and 3 minutes to services now being advertised on the screens - was always 4 minutes and greater previously.

If this is the 'software' side of the new CIS completed at Westbury and is the system to be rolled out across the rest of the network, I wonder how Digital Dorris will cope at large stations like Temple Meads and Reading!!!

[Louis94]

I've noticed changes recently to the CIS^▸ (Customer Information System) at Westbury.  For example...

'The train now approaching platform x' and 'The train at platform x' announcements are now far more consistent than they were before - activated automatically?

A through train warning announcement was given - first time I've ever heard one broadcast at Westbury.

Advance warning announcement of disruption to services because of weekend engineering works.

Delays of 1, 2 and 3 minutes to services now being advertised on the screens - was always 4 minutes and greater previously.

If this is the 'software' side of the new CIS completed at Westbury and is the system to be rolled out across the rest of the network, I wonder how Digital Dorris will cope at large stations like Temple Meads and Reading!!!

The changes you have noticed is just to make the current older system more reliable and bearable until the new one is fitted. "The train now approaching" announcements are now automatically triggered, compared to before where they were manual, and i believe "The train at..." announcements are still manually triggered.

Advanced warning of engineering works, was something ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) used at their stations, I think that is something that has always been in the system, but FGW^▸ (First Great Western)/Wessex have never used it.

I have been in contact a member of the FGW Customer Panel, and stations due the new CIS and PA^▸ (Public Address) will be having a complete change from what they currently have, including a change of content in the announcments aswell as a change of voice. At stations such as Westbury, with more than 2 platforms, the PA will have 2 voices, 1 male and 1 female (Like at larger FGW HSS^▸ (High Speed Services) stations i believe).

Also stations will recieve '3 dot line matrix' which can be seen at FGW HSS stations, These show the first, second and third train to arrive at each platform.
In addition at Westbury FGW want to put in a screen to show the next fastest train as well - these screens will list the 20-25 most popular ticket destinations, their time and platform. (This system is yet to be confirmed).

Also Westbury station is due its upgrade between 1st September and the end of October.

All in all this new system sounds a huge step up from the current one at Ex-Wessex and Thames Trains stations!

Louis

[Btline]

Why is it taking FGW^▸ (First Great Western) so long to install Ditra at its stations?

As far as I'm aware, all SWT^▸ (South West Trains) stations have had Ditra screens and auto announcements fitted for ages. And this includes brach lines and rural stations. However, many FGW stations have woeful displays (i.e. those giant TV screens that don't actually work) or none whatsoever! Even Oxford, which has been FGW for years and one of the busiest on the network, only had it installed relatively recently. The currently system (e.g. at Westbury) is inadequate and repeats unnecessarily - unlike Ditra which gets it just right.

The same with FGW's trains. SWT's refurbished 158s have screens and auto announcements. FGW's refurbed 158s have neither (except the noise pollution of that stupid "safety" announcement that seems to cut in at random). FGW also didn't install screens on their HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train).

Stagecoach are showing First up in investment levels!

[Louis94]

Why is it taking FGW^▸ (First Great Western) so long to install Ditra at its stations?

As far as I'm aware, all SWT^▸ (South West Trains) stations have had Ditra screens and auto announcements fitted for ages. And this includes brach lines and rural stations. However, many FGW stations have woeful displays (i.e. those giant TV screens that don't actually work) or none whatsoever! Even Oxford, which has been FGW for years and one of the busiest on the network, only had it installed relatively recently. The currently system (e.g. at Westbury) is inadequate and repeats unnecessarily - unlike Ditra which gets it just right.

The same with FGW's trains. SWT's refurbished 158s have screens and auto announcements. FGW's refurbed 158s have neither (except the noise pollution of that stupid "safety" announcement that seems to cut in at random). FGW also didn't install screens on their HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train).

Stagecoach are showing First up in investment levels!

I think they are installing all the help points first.

Ditra is only the announcement side of the system, the displays are controlled by the ATOS CIS^▸ (Customer Information System) system. I doubt the FGW network will have the same amount of LED screens/announcements fitted stations as SWT have done, even though it would be good if they did!

I notice how FGW are putting help points with screens in at many of the stations instead of the LED screens like SWT, whether these will also have announcements too, i dont know, we will have to wait and see.

All i know is the contractor have until the end of the year to have all stations with the new equipment fitted, and working correctly.

I do also agree First dont seem to put the same level of investment into their customer information systems as Stagecoach, but then you have to rememeber South West Trains does not have the same level (If any?) of branch lines as what First Great Western do.

Louis

[Btline]

But SWT^▸ (South West Trains) has a larger network. Swings and roundabouts. You could argue that FGW^▸ (First Great Western)'s excess of branch lines and stations in the middle of nowhere warrants the installation of better systems, to encourage more passengers, etc.

The LED screens are better than the help points. Less likely to be vandalised and give platform info.

[Louis94]

But SWT^▸ (South West Trains) has a larger network. Swings and roundabouts. You could argue that FGW^▸ (First Great Western)'s excess of branch lines and stations in the middle of nowhere warrants the installation of better systems, to encourage more passengers, etc.

The LED screens are better than the help points. Less likely to be vandalised and give platform info.

Suppose you could argue that, the LED screens are much better than the help points! If i had my way all FGW stations would have Ditra announcements!

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

the setup at whimple is perfect.... and its only a little station !

[Louis94]

the setup at whimple is perfect.... and its only a little station !

Having been there recently, I agree! That is exactly what the busier stations on the Exmouth line need to be like! stations like Polsloe Bridge, Digby and Sowton, Topsham and Lympstone Village! Infact I think some of those stations are busier than Whimple!

I believe the Gunnislake line is ment to be having a CIS^▸ (Customer Information System) with announcements, which will be controlled longline from Plymouth, abit like Whimple is controlled longline from Honiton(?).

[inspector_blakey]

The station cafe at Barnstaple has it's own departures screen:

Are you losing your touch TJ...? Its own departures screen surely?!

Looks like the same software that the Prince of Wales pub just across the road from Didcot Parkway has on a big screen (makes a change from Sky Sports I suppose) - not quite the same as the NRES^▸ (National Rail Enquiry Service) live departure boards but obviously from the same source. Is that a subscription service that companies who want to show a departure board can pay for or is it offered free?