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by lukegb 3264 days ago
As an interesting, although unrelated aside: platform data is available in the UK's National Rail's feeds, but the terms and conditions[1] explicitly prohibit displaying platform numbers early, as mentioned in their developer guidelines[2].

I guess the wording doesn't technically ban you from displaying historical platform information, but that would likely be a bad-faith use of the data anyway...

[1] http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/static/documents/Terms_and_Con...

[2] http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/static/documents/Developer_Gui... "Occasionally Time-Bound Data will become available through NRE feeds before it is ready to be published to the public. [...] One such example of Time-Bound Data is platform numbers. Early display of platform numbers, particularly at origin and destination stations, can lead to platform overcrowding and/or staff not having sufficient time to prepare the train for oncoming passengers. In some instances, platform numbers will be available in Darwin before being displayed on screens in stations."
2 comments
davidjbain 3264 days ago
UK rail data is quite open in comparison to this story, for instance check out these live track diagrams (of London Waterloo & many other areas) which show real-time movements of trains. This is how I often find out the platform numbers prior to travel and I also get information before staff during disruption.

http://www.opentraintimes.com/maps/signalling/wat#T_WAT

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takno 3263 days ago
There are maps of many more routes at traksy https://traksy.uk/live/M+2+CARLILE
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davidjbain 3262 days ago
Great to see another good implementation of rail maps, I do however prefer the opentraintimes layout as its easier to scroll through while reflecting the look of operational systems.
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manarth 3264 days ago
Once upon a time, the platform used to be displayed in the National Rail app, even when it wasn't shown on the departure boards…For a long time I used that to good effect to get a seat on rush-hour trains at Paddington.

That changed a few years ago, interesting to see the formal policy behind it, and an idea for a side-project :-)

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