21.04.01 Briefing Note

The sections below detail enhancements that will be deployed to acumen, Saturday 1 May, 2021. (Postponed from Tuesday 27 April 2021).

They are on the training server now for user familiarisation and testing.

Users will need to clear the Chrome Browser cache (hard re-load) in order that the changes made to acumen function correctly. Instructions on how to do this can be found on the FAQ page.

The relevant User Guide pages will be updated in due course.

RDIS Feed and new Station Tab

RDIS (Rail Demand Information System) is another Network Rail project looking at improving the information available to operators.

acumen is currently trialling the RDIS feed and would appreciate any feedback users can provide on the helpfulness and accuracy of the data.

The RDIS data looks like it could be useful in informing decisions, however until the accuracy of the data is validated and a level of confidence is reached, we do not recommend making operational decisions based on the RDIS data at this time.

This is why your feedback is crucial as the data matures.

Train Service Information

The RDIS feed is now enhancing the information available in the train details tool-tip.

As seen in the screenshot below, this tool-tip now contains additional consist information, and information about passenger loading.

Consist Information

The consist information is received from GEMINI via RDIS.

We see 1M38 is formed of 9 coaches; a 4-car unit and a 5-car unit. The unit numbers are also provided.

acumen extracts this information and displays the total number of coaches underneath the headcode.

Nb. Some train services did have the total number of coaches displayed already as a result of the TIGER feed. This RDIS feed means this data is now consistently displayed across (almost) all TOCs. (London Overground services do not appear to display this data at this time).

Passenger Forecast

The passenger loading calculates a forecast based on mobile phone data on similar journeys collected over several months.

The forecast estimates how many passengers will join the service at the docker location, how many will leave the service at the docker location, and how many passengers will remain on the train at departure.

As more data is collected and this becomes more accurate over time, this information could help inform platforming decisions and understand risks around platform crowding.

Station Occupancy

Not available at Crewe and York trial sites. We are enquiring as to whether this data can be displayed for all acumen sites.

Station Occupancy is displayed in the new Station tab.

As seen in the screenshot below, station occupancy is plotted on a graph. This updates every 90s.

This occupancy data is also based on mobile phone location data.

Area demand predicts which services the passengers in a station will board. These figures update every 5 mins.

Lift & Escalator Status

Not available at Crewe and York trial sites.

The Lift & Escalator status is also displayed within the new Station tab .

This is a Network Rail feed and gives the status of a lift or escalator as either available, not available (out of order) or unknown (failure with the remote condition monitoring).

We would welcome any suggestions as to how this data could be enhanced or displayed.

CIS Tab Enhancements

The CIS tab has been enhanced. More information can be displayed, such as train formation, where this is available.

Users can hover over the Destination TIPLOC to see all onward calling points.

Update to Kings Cross TD Map

The track schematic on the TD tab has been updated to reflect the new layout at Kings Cross station.