Real-Time Visualization of Subway Train Status

The signal system on N.Y.C. Transit’s “B” Division was installed in phases during the Great Depression and was never modernized. All signals operated on relay logic and those in the Operations Control Center (OCC) was not able to see in real time whereabouts of each train or their schedule identity. Mr Reddy led an interdisciplinary team of signal specialists, programmers, and analysts to develop and deploy a system that read the logical state of relay circuits, sent track occupancy information to a central server where it is combined with data generated by terminal dispatchers entering real-time vehicle ID into a legacy console, to display train locations on a user friendly device.   This system was deployed to Master Towers where it led to an immediate improvement in dispatcher actions and incident management. It is in the process of being deployed to the OCC to enable better management monitoring and for delivery of real-time train arrival information to customers.

Key Features

  • Integrates real-time train ID data from electronic train register system, track occupancy data from the signal system, schedule data from the scheduling system, algorithmically infers train locations and display them on a system map.
  • Applies analytics to the incoming data stream and automatically identifies areas where service gaps or traffic congestion exists. Prioritizes display based on severity.
  • User-configurable view to show only specific lines, districts, etc.
  • Configurable database of track layouts—nothing is hard coded.
  • Incorporates the Service Intervention Recommendation Engine (SIRE), which assesses current locations and movement patterns of trains, factors in typical ridership patterns, traincrew and vehicle turns, and recommends dispatcher actions (e.g., holds, skips).
  • Provides Stringlines view, a real-time graphical representation of train-movements. It compares movements to schedules and linking slowdowns with associated incidents.
  • Easy web-based user interface that can run on any web capable computer.  Currently installed on overhead monitors in Master Towers utilizing commodity PCs with corporate Ethernet connection.

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