MBTA Announces Improved Accuracy of Commuter Rail Train Locations and Arrival Prediction Times for MBTA.com, Smartphone Apps

Improvements result from technology upgrades to real-time data processing capacity

The MBTA launched 2 programs leading to improvements in accuracy of Commuter Rail train locations and arrival predictions for customers viewing live train information on MBTA.com or MBTA-endorsed smartphone applications.

“I’m excited to launch this new initiative that directly benefits our customers by providing information that allows people to make more informed decisions,” said MBTA General Manager Luis Manuel Ramírez.“As this winter has shown us, seconds matter when planning ahead, so I’m happy we can improve the accuracy of our train locations and arrivals.”

The 2 programs, TrainLoc and Concentrate, simplify and accelerate the processing capacity of real-time data leading to these improvements.

TrainLoc simplifies and expedites the process that transmits Commuter Rail train locations and predicted arrival times. With fewer handoffs and an increased frequency of data processing, Commuter Rail train locations are current within 10 – 40 seconds. Under the previous system, which dates back to 2011, train locations could be up to 2 minutes old.

Concentrate enables higher-capacity, more frequent sharing of all MBTA real-time transit data with third-party organizations and consumers. The program aggregates all real-time information across the system and consolidates it into two single-source outputs. Data latency is reduced by about 10 seconds. Concentrate is also the MBTA’s fifth open-source software program.

TrainLoc and Concentrate were both made possible by updated APIs from the MBTA and Keolis.

With these new insourced programs, the MBTA will save nearly $10,000 per month in maintenance costs while providing more current, accurate real-time information to riders.

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