5 ms·

The data comes from the open rail data project https://wiki.openraildata.com//index.php?title=Main_Page https://wiki.openraildata.com//index.php?title=Main_Pag

The data comes from the open rail data project https://wiki.openraildata.com//index.php?title=Main_Page https://wiki.openraildata.com//index.php?title=Main_Page Some crossings in the uk are directly available as a state within the data, mine is not so I have to track the trains into and out of a region. When the train enters the region, I assume the crossing must be down and when it leaves, I assume it must be up. Its about 30 seconds to a minute off, but for my purpose that's OK.

0xffff2 7y ago
Out of curiosity, what is your purpose? Do the crossings stay down long enough to cause backups sufficiently large that you alter your schedule to avoid them?
- alexfoo 7y ago
  Probably yes (I'm guessing as I'm not the OP). There's a level crossing a few miles from me that has automated barriers. The tricky bit is the crossing is right next to a station and there will be various rules in force:- * barriers must be down at least X seconds before a train is due to go through * barriers must be down even if the train is coming in to the station to stop (before it gets to the crossing) - the barriers must be down in case it overshoots * etc Whilst the barriers can go up as soon as a train has passed there may be another one along shortly enough that it's not worth opening the barriers only to close them a few seconds later. Combine those with a timetable that puts 10+ trains an hour each direction and the barriers will probably be down for longer than they are up in peak times. I've seen them down for 10+ minutes at a time. Here's the google streetview that just happens to have a train that has already passed and stopped at the station: https://goo.gl/maps/jhzApjZHUAJ4FcSt6 https://goo.gl/maps/jhzApjZHUAJ4FcSt6 As a pedestrian (or a cyclist without lots of luggage) it's often faster to use the footbridge to cross rather than waiting for the train(s) to pass and the barriers to rise.
  - 0xffff2 7y ago
    Wow. There's a similar intersection near me in the bay area, and it always struck me as an incredibly poor design. I'm sort of surprised to see that there's another such intersection in the world. Fortunately (?), I don't think CalTrain runs any more than every 15 minutes, so the gates are rarely down for more than a couple minutes at a time.
- mlaretallack 7y ago
  Originally it was curiosity, however of has moved on from that. I work in the traffic industry. If we can slow people down before they reach the queue, then we can reduce the impact of them joining the queue (co2 etc....).
gerdesj 7y ago
Thanks for the link. There goes my evening ...
- mlaretallack 7y ago
  And my last 4 years :)

0xffff2 7y ago

Out of curiosity, what is your purpose? Do the crossings stay down long enough to cause backups sufficiently large that you alter your schedule to avoid them?

alexfoo 7y ago
Probably yes (I'm guessing as I'm not the OP). There's a level crossing a few miles from me that has automated barriers. The tricky bit is the crossing is right next to a station and there will be various rules in force:- * barriers must be down at least X seconds before a train is due to go through * barriers must be down even if the train is coming in to the station to stop (before it gets to the crossing) - the barriers must be down in case it overshoots * etc Whilst the barriers can go up as soon as a train has passed there may be another one along shortly enough that it's not worth opening the barriers only to close them a few seconds later. Combine those with a timetable that puts 10+ trains an hour each direction and the barriers will probably be down for longer than they are up in peak times. I've seen them down for 10+ minutes at a time. Here's the google streetview that just happens to have a train that has already passed and stopped at the station: https://goo.gl/maps/jhzApjZHUAJ4FcSt6 https://goo.gl/maps/jhzApjZHUAJ4FcSt6 As a pedestrian (or a cyclist without lots of luggage) it's often faster to use the footbridge to cross rather than waiting for the train(s) to pass and the barriers to rise.
- 0xffff2 7y ago
  Wow. There's a similar intersection near me in the bay area, and it always struck me as an incredibly poor design. I'm sort of surprised to see that there's another such intersection in the world. Fortunately (?), I don't think CalTrain runs any more than every 15 minutes, so the gates are rarely down for more than a couple minutes at a time.
mlaretallack 7y ago
Originally it was curiosity, however of has moved on from that. I work in the traffic industry. If we can slow people down before they reach the queue, then we can reduce the impact of them joining the queue (co2 etc....).

gerdesj 7y ago

Thanks for the link. There goes my evening ...

mlaretallack 7y ago
And my last 4 years :)