GTFS and GTFS Realtime
Since 2012, EACOMM Corporation has been working on modeling public mass transit systems using the General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS). The General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) is a standard format for public transit schedules and geographical information. It was developed by Google and Portland TriMet for the public transportation system of Portland, USA and was launched on December 7, 2005. It consists of multiple CSV (comma-separated values) files contained in a single zip file. Key information encoded in GTFS includes: transit agency information, route information, trip schedules, stop locations, route shapes, etc. GTFS has quickly been adopted as the most accepted standard in formatting transit information in a way that can be easily shared across multiple applications. Popular applications such as Open Trip Planner, Google Maps, Apple Maps, Trafi and other Mobile Transit Apps all use GTFS to offer trip planning services to their users. EACOMM Corporation has developed GTFS models of the Philippines, Singapore, as well as specific routes in Malaysia and Indonesia. Download this PDF on an introductory training/workshop presentation on GTFS Static for more information. GTFS Realtime GTFS Realtime is an extension of the General Transit Feed Specification(GTFS) that gives public transportation agencies the capability to provide real time updates about their fleet. Information such as expected time of arrival, trip delays/cancellations, service alerts/notifications, and vehicle location can be provided using GTFS real time. GTFS realtime makes use of Protocol Buffers, a language-neutral, platform-neutral, mechanism to serialize structured data in a much smaller file size – making its transmission faster and more efficient. GTFS-RT as a standard is not yet as widely adopted as static GTFS, with a number of transit agencies offering their own format in sharing real time data as well as ‘rival’ formats such as Service Interface for Real Time Information (SIRI) available. GTFS RT also presents much more complex challenges than providing static GTFS as the element of ‘speed’ comes into play and management of server resources, latency, and software efficiency is critical. EACOMM has worked on GTFS RT feeds for the Philippines, Singapore, and Jakarta. Download this PDF on an introductory training/workshop presentation on GTFS Realtime for more information. EACOMM offers consultancy and training on both GTFS Static and GTFS Realtime. For more information on EACOMM Corporation’s efforts on developing and deploying GTFS and GTFS Realtime feeds contact solutions@eacomm.com.
Metro Manila Train Schedules now available in Google Maps
Manila, Philippines – This August, users of Google Maps (http://maps.google.com) will now be able to use the “Get Directions†Button to plan trips using Metro Manila’s four train lines: The LRT1, LRT2, MRT3, and the PNR Commuter Train. Simply type the origin and destination points in the maps search bar and select the train icon and Google Maps will show you the nearest train station, where to transfer trains, how long the journey will take and how much it will cost you. This new feature of Google Maps is anticipated to increase ridership of public trains by providing more information on alternatives to driving by car or taking the taxi. For example, traveling from Marikina to Alabang at first glance is a long, arduous and expensive journey if you will be commuting. By using Google Maps to plan the trip, it turns out by taking the train (LRT2->MRT3->PNR) it would take just over an hour to make the trip in rush hour traffic for only Php 34.00! Data collection and formatting services was provided by EACOMM Corporation, a web and software development company based in Quezon City, who are currently working on the next stages of the project which entails the inclusion of bus and ferry schedules to Google Maps. This will create a much more comprehensive coverage of Metro Manila’s public transport system not only within the metropolis but to and from neighbouring cities and towns as well. DOWNLOAD THIS POST IN PDF: Metro Manila Train Schedules now available in Google Maps