Data Feeds
This section describes the numerous data feeds that acumen consumes.
POINTA CIF
A train service database (TSDB) is maintained within acumen; the TSDB is created from a full extract CIF file at initialisation, and kept up to date by consumption of an incremental update which takes place each morning at 01:00 Hrs.
Both the full CIF and incremental update CIF files are obtained via SFTP directly from Network Rail PPTE (Pre-production Test Environment).
As published by ITPS, the CIF contains limited train association data (AA records) however, prior to publication to PPTE for consumption, the CIF is parsed by a service known as POINTA.
POINTA (Platform Occupancy INference of Train Associations) is a service which infers associations and enriches the CIF file prior to publication. POINTA is considered to be an enhancement on the association parsing and inference undertaken by WACI (Waterloo Automatic Code Insertion), or similar components common at many locations.
VSTP
To complement the TSDB described above, acumen subscribes to and consumes VSTP schedules which are published over the Network Rail TD.net feed; acumen receives these messages regardless of the VSTP source (i.e. TRUST, TDA or Integrale).
Train Journey Modification (TJM) Messages
There are a sub-set of messages that acumen consumes from TD.net that maintain the planned intent of activated services - informed by transactions commited within TRUST:
- Full cancellation;
- Start Forward (change of origin);
- Terminate Short;
- Cancellation reinstatement;
- Change of Location;
- Change of identity.
Each message is received and processed by acumen and where a service is subject to forecasting, the Forecast reflects the modification.
Cancellations (including full cancellations, terminate short, start forward) will be displayed against the schedule in the Train Details View. All locations that have been cancelled will show CAN against the relevant TIPLOC. Nb. If the docker location is one of the cancelled TIPLOCs the train will not render on the platform docker. The schedule will remain in the forecast until the schedule expires which is 2hrs after the planned or actual termination.
The user will be notified of a TJM by an alert pop-up in the bottom left hand corner of the screen. This can be closed by clicking the [x].
Train Movement Reports
As a train service proceeds on its journey, train movement reports are published via TD.net; acumen subscribes to and consumes this feed; the train movement report is primarily used to inform the Forecast - allowing acumen to update the Forecast to reflect actual (known) train running.
TD: C-Class Data
Where configured to do so, berth level TD (train describer) data is published via TD.net; acumen currently consumes this data for various reasons:
- Inform the approach berth notification service;
- Feed the TD map service.
TD: S-Class Data
As with C-Class Data described above, acumen consumes the counterpart S-Class data. This data feed relates to Signalling Equipment state; acumen consumes this data and extrapolates:
- Signal state - on or off;
- Route state - set or not set;
- Train Ready To Start (TRTS) - operated or clear.
This data is utilised primarily to feed the TD maps available within acumen.
Darwin
Darwin is the GB rail industry’s official train running information engine, providing real-time arrival and departure predictions, platform numbers, delay estimates, schedule changes and cancellations.
There are numerous available public feeds that National Rail Enquiries make available; acumen subscribes to and consumes the following:
- Station Messages;
- Knowledge Base - Real Time Incident feed;
- Darwin TS (Train Status).
Currently, acumen extrapolates train length and platform changes from the Darwin TS feed - this data is used to inform service forecasting.
PPM - Public Performance Measure
Twice a minute, TD.net publishes PPM data; acumen consumes this data and provides the current PPM statistics in the Home > PPM tab here Acumen Home Page##PPM
TSR - Temporary Speed Restriction Data
Each Friday at 07:00 Hrs, TD.net publishes the current TSR data as published in the Weekly Operating Notice. Users can view this information in the Home > Temporary Speed Restriction (TSR) tab here Acumen Home Page##Temporary Speed Restrictions (TSRs)
Reference Data
Other sources of static data are utilised by acumen - these are available from various sources and are updated periodically:
- B-plan - a representation of railway data in a structured file format, used mainly to create a location directory, parse timing and route links and to provide full textual references to railway data within the application.
- SMART database - an xml file that details the mapping between signal berths, SMART and TIPLOC.
- TPR - Timetable planning rules; acumen utilises some TPR values within the Forecast service.
Future State
As part of Phase 3 works, acumen will be upgraded to receive the following data feeds and files.
LINX EI Feeds
| Message Type | Message Description |
|---|---|
| Data feed | S502 - VSTP Path Details (CS) |
| Data feed | S508 - Train Describer (TD Raw) updates |
| Data feed | S509 - Train Activation (Train Call) path details |
| Data feed | S510 - Train Running Information (CS) |
| Data feed | S513 - Train Journey Modification (CS) |
| Data feed | S515 - Train Journey Modification (CS Train ID Change) |
| Data file | S529 - BPlan Extract file(s) |
| Data file | S530 - CORPUS Location Extract file |
| Data file | S531 – Train Service Codes & Sector Codes |
| Data file | S537 – Sector Code to UIC |
| Data file | S541 - Access Plan (CS) with Inferred Associations |
Other Feeds
| Message Type | Message Description |
|---|---|
| Data feed | RDG: Train Status Message Flow |
| Data feed | NRE-DARWIN: Real Time Incident and Station Messages Feeds |
| Data feed | RDG: TIGER CIS |
| Data feed | RDG: TIGER XML |
| Data feed | TD.net: PPM |
| Data file | Email receipt and processing of Birmingham New St A&D Book |
| Data file | TD.net: TSR |