View rail routes in real-time on our Live Train Map
It’s now possible for passengers to view the route of trains on our maps, tracking the progress of any passenger service in real-time during journeys.
The new feature of our Live Train Map creates an interactive and visually appealing way for users to plot the route of their trip, choose a more scenic route, or plan stop-offs to break up a journey.
By creating a new API endpoint that returns the track geometry taken by the train, Signalbox’s technology can show the exact route for a specific train using its train ID. This contrasts with other technology platforms, such as Google Maps, which can only predict which route the train is likely to take, rather than the exact route.
Importantly, Signalbox offers ‘on-the-fly’ route calculation so it is able to re-adjust the route in real time if, for example, the train is diverted or takes a different route for signalling reasons.
To showcase the technology, the new routing capability functionality has been added to Signalbox’s Live Train Map. It has also been deployed in Signalbox’s award-winning prototype for LNER’s Future Labs at lner.signalbox.io (pictured) as well as being built into Signalbox’s ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) sharing capability.
A live journey map from Signalbox’s award-winning prototype for LNER Future Labs
Says Toby Webb, Founder of Signalbox:
“The rail industry has lagged behind other industries in showing the route that is taken in real-time. However, it has been demonstrated - particularly in aviation - that passengers like to know this information as it provides comfort and reassurance.”
“Unlike other platforms, the exact route for a specific train is returned, not just a ‘best guess’ based on the stations that the train calls at.”
Nor is the route planner simply for added convenience. It can also enhance the passenger journey explains Webb:
“This new capability is particularly useful for allowing people to plan the journey to be as beautiful as possible. This taps into the idea that the travel should be part of your holiday, rather than just getting from A to B.”
Signalbox works with the different types of IDs that are used by the rail industry to identify the train, such as the retail ID, the head code and the Darwin ID.
The capability is made available via Signalbox’s API (documentation is on the website) and can be lightly integrated into a train or ticketing company’s website in a short amount of time by embedding a map plugin.