Bus PIDs

[ozbob]

Does anyone know if the bus PIDS eg. platforms 1 and 2 Roma St and elsewhere are actually real time, or just simply a visual display of projected timetables?

I suspect they are the latter, as in my experience there seems to be not much correlation between displays and actual services?

The rail PIDs do generally reflect real time operations.  I guess it is just the magnitude of the bus task that possibly prevents real times as such.  But with progress in technology and the fact that the buses are on GPS maybe some real time data might be forthcoming?

[O_128]

Ive noticed if the bus is late the pids will readjust, though they disappear quickly.

If you want to see how a real bus pid should work check this out

[somebody]

Does anyone know if the bus PIDS eg. platforms 1 and 2 Roma St and elsewhere are actually real time, or just simply a visual display of projected timetables?

I suspect they are the latter, as in my experience there seems to be not much correlation between displays and actual services?

The rail PIDs do generally reflect real time operations.  I guess it is just the magnitude of the bus task that possibly prevents real times as such.  But with progress in technology and the fact that the buses are on GPS maybe some real time data might be forthcoming?

My understanding is that they are supposed to be real time, updated by BT's transponder system.  However at Roma St O/B buses are near origin (Cultural Centre) and so should be on time anyway.  I've seen it not work, but I think it's not too bad.

The I/B platform I wouldn't trust as far as I can throw it, but it seems to work sometimes.

[Bulimba30A]

I think for major busway stations the list on the pids is just too short.  When you have 10-12 buses which could arrive in 5 minutes, sometimes it's pot luck whether yours makes the display of not.  Also the displays really can't give a lot of useful information where multiple buses end up at the same place, eg garden city, but could take double or triple the time to get there (I but dream...).

I think monitors aka trains at central or airport departure lists would be more appropriate (but that would cost more money).

[somebody]

I think for major busway stations the list on the pids is just too short.  When you have 10-12 buses which could arrive in 5 minutes, sometimes it's pot luck whether yours makes the display of not.  Also the displays really can't give a lot of useful information where multiple buses end up at the same place, eg garden city, but could take double or triple the time to get there (I but dream...).

I think monitors aka trains at central or airport departure lists would be more appropriate (but that would cost more money).

The one at the cultural centre is a joke, but at Roma St it displays about the next 16 buses, so isn't too bad.

[O_128]

I think for major busway stations the list on the pids is just too short.  When you have 10-12 buses which could arrive in 5 minutes, sometimes it's pot luck whether yours makes the display of not.  Also the displays really can't give a lot of useful information where multiple buses end up at the same place, eg garden city, but could take double or triple the time to get there (I but dream...).

I think monitors aka trains at central or airport departure lists would be more appropriate (but that would cost more money).

The one at the cultural centre is a joke, but at Roma St it displays about the next 16 buses, so isn't too bad.

Boggo road is good to, cultural real needs big 42inch screens installed.

[STB]

If memory serves me right, a few years ago, I went along on a tour of the Busway Operations Room in Brisbane Square, and we were told that there are sensors in the busway that detect buses combined with the on board transponders, then from a complex mathematical formula, it calculates the estimated time of arrival.  I don't think it's foolproof though, especially if a bus gets held up from wayward passengers for example.

[dwb]

If memory serves me right, a few years ago, I went along on a tour of the Busway Operations Room in Brisbane Square, and we were told that there are sensors in the busway that detect buses combined with the on board transponders, then from a complex mathematical formula, it calculates the estimated time of arrival.  I don't think it's foolproof though, especially if a bus gets held up from wayward passengers for example.

Translink have previously advised me that "realtime" around the network isn't actually realtime and instead uses a mix of something like a 3month rolling average from data from the transponders for that scheduled service and the timetable. You never know what it is. To be honest, I'd prefer just a timetable until they can get the REAL "realtime" information system working.

I believe that system will be GPS based, on that specific buses location and will be trialled beginning with Logan City buses later in the year.

[ezekial]

The PIDs at Cultural Centre are finally working again, as of this morning.  However the usefulness of a 4 line display at the busiest station on the network is a little unclear. 

[dwb]

If memory serves me right, a few years ago, I went along on a tour of the Busway Operations Room in Brisbane Square, and we were told that there are sensors in the busway that detect buses combined with the on board transponders, then from a complex mathematical formula, it calculates the estimated time of arrival.  I don't think it's foolproof though, especially if a bus gets held up from wayward passengers for example.

Translink have previously advised me that "realtime" around the network isn't actually realtime and instead uses a mix of something like a 3month rolling average from data from the transponders for that scheduled service and the timetable. You never know what it is. To be honest, I'd prefer just a timetable until they can get the REAL "realtime" information system working.

I believe that system will be GPS based, on that specific buses location and will be trialled beginning with Logan City buses later in the year.

And the trial continues and yet still only a handful of routes have realtime data available

I asked Translink the other day if Gold Coast Light Rail was going to have a feed available. They said they'd answer but then didn't get back to me. The RideTheG app has locations, so I don't see why they shouldn't publish it, but that's not stopped anyone before.

[BrizCommuter]

The PIDs are also 3 minutes behind real time.

[Derwan]

The PIDs are also 3 minutes behind real time.

Perhaps they're compensating for the late-running of the buses? 

This happens at Woolloongabba.  The Go Brisbane app doesn't match with the PID because it's out by several minutes.  Of course the buses don't turn up when expected so it doesn't matter anyway.