South Ken Dot Matrix

[Deleted]

I've always wondered why the dot matrix display on the eastbound sub-surface platform at South Kensington only shows trains about 1 minute away.

At the end of the platform, there's a small "office" with screens showing the departure boards from TFL's website with a few more trains. The information is there, but I don't get why it isn't displayed on the DMI.

Some other District/Circle line stations seem to be ok (e.g. Westminster). What's wrong at South Ken?

[Tom]

The DMI at South Ken takes its information from the Train Describer at Gloucester Road. Quite simply, the information isn't there to transmit to South Ken until trains pass the junction at Gloucester Road.

The display in the Supervisor's Office takes its data from a different source which has a greater overall view.

[Deleted]

Thanks for the info Tom.

So I assume that the other stations get their information from a few more stations? Presumably South Ken can only get information from Gloucester Road because before that, the Circle and District are split and they wouldn't be sure which train would arrive first?

[Deleted]

Jul 22, 2010 22:37:06 GMT tubepassenger said:

Thanks for the info Tom.

So I assume that the other stations get their information from a few more stations? Presumably South Ken can only get information from Gloucester Road because before that, the Circle and District are split and they wouldn't be sure which train would arrive first?

It's not even that. The information signalling wise travels with a train and does not transmit until Gloucester Rd.

Likewise on the westbound, you can only see trains at Westminster (for instance) when they get to Embankment.

Trackernet can see (what it thinks to be) trains over a larger area, though it does not always have the correct information.