RAIL - Back On Track Forum

Stopping patterns for each service are stored in a database, then advanced with a combo of GPS, train odometer and passenger door release.

Quote from: RowBro on March 06, 2023, 16:06:08 PM

Quote from: HappyTrainGuy on March 06, 2023, 15:34:41 PMNope. It's also why the train doesn't know it's now on a running express pattern when it's changed mid trip and requires manual skipping.

That seems a tad outdated  ! What tells the train to play each announcement?

AWS and trip odometer. AWS is just basic in nature. It doesn't broadcast any specific details. It's just a very basic system. You can program the Ipswich-Caboolture service to say platform is on the right at Central given it only uses P6 however it can't tell if you are coming into P3 or P4 should it be rerouted. Similar problem when you have lines that operate on bidi. The NGRs are a bit more advanced but they don't run them due to similar limitations with the AWS.

Quote from: HappyTrainGuy on March 06, 2023, 18:26:20 PM

Quote from: RowBro on March 06, 2023, 16:06:08 PM

Quote from: HappyTrainGuy on March 06, 2023, 15:34:41 PMNope. It's also why the train doesn't know it's now on a running express pattern when it's changed mid trip and requires manual skipping.

That seems a tad outdated  ! What tells the train to play each announcement?

AWS and trip odometer. AWS is just a prompt for the driver to acknowledge. It doesn't broadcast any specific details. It's just a basic system. You can program the Ipswich-Caboolture service to say platform is on the right at Central given it only uses P6 however it can't tell if you are coming into P3 or P4 should it be rerouted. Similar problem when you have lines that operate on bidi. The NGRs are a bit more advanced but they don't run them due to similar limitations with the AWS.

Is this something which will be improved with the implementation of ETCS?

Yes. But also no Depends on the rollingstock and what VAS is fitted. Happy to be corrected but at the moment the ETCS test trains can't announce platform sides as the VAS hasn't been fully programmed for it.

Quote from: HappyTrainGuy on March 06, 2023, 18:46:46 PMYes. But also no Depends on the rollingstock and what VAS is fitted. Happy to be corrected but at the moment the ETCS test trains can't announce platform sides as the VAS hasn't been fully programmed for it.

I doubt the VAS is fitted for it at current. At least a retrofit should be possible once ETCS is across the whole network... if it is across the whole network... 

Quote from: ozbob on February 10, 2023, 23:46:12 PMQueensland Parliament E-Petition

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Petitions/Petition-Details?id=3856

QUEENSLAND RAIL ON-TRAIN ANNOUNCEMENTS TO INCLUDE BUS TRANSFERS

QuoteTO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland
Queensland residents draw to the attention of the House the need for on-train, announcements of stations to include relevant bus services that can be easily transferred to. Currently Queensland Rail (South East Queensland) on-train announcements of stations include where to transfer from one train service to another (eg Northgate, Park Road, etc) but these do not include stations at which people can easily transfer to High Frequency bus services or even Busways. Similar on service announcements are currently being made on the Gold Coast, G-Link tram service. Under the TransLink branding, bus and rail services are meant to be integrated, yet simple things such as the provision of audio announcements (regarding transfers between forms of public transport) are not occurring.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House do all in its power to ensure that Queensland Rail adjust automated and in person (South East Queensland) on-train announcements of stations to include bus services at which people can easily transfer to High Frequency bus services or Busways.

To sign > https://apps.parliament.qld.gov.au/E-Petitions/home/sign?id=3856

Responded By: Hon Mark Bailey MP on 8/6/2023

> https://apps.parliament.qld.gov.au/E-Petitions/Home/DownloadResponse/40e3782c-8d53-4c66-be94-55f5d56d1d92

Apparently Roma Street isnt one of the 6 major interchange locations 

https://apps.parliament.qld.gov.au/E-Petitions/Home/DownloadResponse/40e3782c-8d53-4c66-be94-55f5d56d1d92

Quote... Significant changes are planned for our rail network into the future and it is incumbent upon
rail and bus operators to work with Translink to explore opportunities to encourage sensible
transfer options, where those options can provide a better service.

As a first step, Queensland Rail will commence activities to develop and automate basic
announcements at the six major interchange locations (South Brisbane, South Bank, Park
Road, Roma Street, Helensvale and Buranda).

Once the new three sector rail network (outlined in the Palaszczuk Government's SEQ Rail
Connect) is implemented, these announcements will be expanded to other key interchange
stations which will be adjacent to high frequency bus services.

Queensland Rail will also explore other locations where there are high frequency connecting
bus services.

Petitioners may wish to advocate that Brisbane City Council also provide corresponding
connecting information as it updates its bus fleet.

In alignment with its organisational purpose of 'Connecting Communities', Queensland Rail
will continue to support initiatives that strengthen the public transport system and provide
integrated outcomes for Queensland.

I trust this information is of assistance.
Yours sincerely
MARK BAILEY MP
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
Minister for Digital Services

Silos of mediocrity ... 

Quote from: ozbob on June 09, 2023, 00:20:29 AMPetitioners may wish to advocate that Brisbane City Council also provide corresponding
connecting information as it updates its bus fleet.

Yes, that stuck out to me too. Shouldn't it really be Translink's (and by extension DTMR's) responsibility to enforce these standards across all contractors.

^^ You would think so, but in reality I think the quality of the announcements on the G:Link (for example) are more down to the experience of that particular contractor, rather than any kind of standard that has been enforced by Translink.

Quote from: nathandavid88 on June 09, 2023, 16:07:27 PM^^ You would think so, but in reality I think the quality of the announcements on the G:Link (for example) are more down to the experience of that particular contractor, rather than any kind of standard that has been enforced by Translink.

Not to mention that a number of Bus contractors throughout SEQ employing their own Authorised Officers (AOs) with Translink ticket-checking equipment,

Kinetic on both Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, the most recent bus operator were reported to have employed their own team of Authorised officers (AOs) (instead of the TMR/Translink employing more SNOs) suggesting that Translink had lost control of centralising security and fare enforcement.

Edit: Looks like the Bus Operators employing their own AOs is intentional.  TransLink updated its page to reflect this (Network Officers covering operators including G:Link, Bus Qld, Clarks and Kinetic).
https://translink.com.au/travel-with-us/safety-and-security

Just heard the automated train announcement say 'passengers for South Bank Busway Station, please disembark here' when arriving into South Bank. I don't believe I've heard this announcement before. A nice improvement IMO.

Same for the Boggo Road Busway Station.

Good! Long overdue.

I suspect it might have something to do with the cough cough 'Metro' services beginning soon.

Yes, I heard that yesterday and figured it coincides with the metro launch.

Quote from: RowBro on October 22, 2024, 13:13:41 PMJust heard the automated train announcement say 'passengers for South Bank Busway Station, please disembark here' when arriving into South Bank. I don't believe I've heard this announcement before. A nice improvement IMO.

Same for the Boggo Road Busway Station.

Now if only it could be:

'Passengers for the M1 and M3 Metro lines, please change here"

Plus

"Passengers for the M2 Metro Service please change here"


Wouldn't that be the bee's knees!!



SEQ 2032 - Bold Transport Vision - SEQ Rail, Metro, Light Rail and BRT

^^I think new enhancements to voice announcements will occur when TMR and QR upgrade the trains to dynamic onboard PIDs.

Nope. Computer systems on the fleet are quite basic. Would be a costly exercise to undertake any upgrades.