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Berlin public transport in real time

fahrinfo.vbb.de

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Re: Berlin public transport in real time

#121

Post by ant6n »

erikb wrote: post #115
kokey wrote: post #109

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That shouldn't be a problem if the trains are on time.

That was either the best joke ever, or you haven't used German S-Bahn yet. (The "S" is supposed to be short for the German word for "city" but we jokingly refer to them as "standing still-train" instead of "city-train")

'Stand-Bahn'? Never heard that, although haven't lived in Berlin since before the 'meltdown' in 2008. Traditionally the S-Bahn is Berlin's favorite transit system (you can look out the window!), the most far-reaching, and the most interesting historically.

Re: Berlin public transport in real time

#123

Post by gsnedders »

DCoder wrote: post #75
merlingore wrote: post #7

Isn't this a security concern?

Would that make https://www.flightradar24.com/ a much bigger concern?

The typical security concerns with rail networks don't really apply to aviation: it's much, much harder to stop a plane in flight (esp. at cruising altitude) than it is to stop a train.

Re: Berlin public transport in real time

#124

Post by ant6n »

Zach_the_Lizard wrote: post #98
Piskvorrr wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not really. As far as I understand the technologies (and I assume that Berlin does the same thing as every other city-user), a precise ("physical") GPS position is usually not reported (although newer systems do that as well), but a position at a "logical" map is. In case of buses, this usually means "left the previous stop at $xx:$yy, with $zz seconds of delay; reported average speed is normal for this area, so expe…

My understanding is that with newer CBTC signalling systems--not sure if Berlin is using that--the trains know pretty much exactly where they are on the track, along with the positions of all other trains, speeds, braking distance, etc. This allows the trains to run closer together than they could using fixed block signalling technology. It's not required for full automation, but it makes full automation relatively s…

It seems that often the signalling system and the real time location reporting system aren't integrated. In NYC on many lines you get reports like 'there's a Brooklyn-bound train 2 stops away' that they make over the loud-speakers. Makes me wonder whether they have a separate device that just picks up when trains pass by a track segment, rather than using the information available via the signalling.

Re: Berlin public transport in real time

#125

Post by aap_ »

erikb wrote: post #115
kokey wrote: post #109

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That shouldn't be a problem if the trains are on time.

That was either the best joke ever, or you haven't used German S-Bahn yet. (The "S" is supposed to be short for the German word for "city" but we jokingly refer to them as "standing still-train" instead of "city-train")

Actually I don't think it is 100% known what the "S" stands for. I think "Stadtschnellbahn" is most likely. The "Stadtbahn" only refers to the east-west route.

Re: Berlin public transport in real time

#126

Post by donkeyd »

benten10 wrote: post #95
donkeyd wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We need engineers in the Netherlands, so you could move if you really wanted to.

Any need for Computer Scientists either? The U.S. is a crazy place to live for someone not from here. : (

Definitely. Many specialist companies are having a hard time hiring. Also, we have some really nice visas for foreign knowledge workers.

Depending on your specialization/experience I could give you some tips if you'd like.

Re: Berlin public transport in real time

#127

Post by bdr »

I've been wondering whether you can use accelerometer data, which does not require user permission (on websites and mobile apps), to precisely determine geolocation for some users, which does require permission. This page makes Berlin commuters seem like a plausible target. A few more details here: http://andrewbadr.tumblr.com/post/132618372956/projects-im-n...

Re: Berlin public transport in real time

#128

Post by erikb »

ant6n wrote: post #121
erikb wrote: post #115

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That was either the best joke ever, or you haven't used German S-Bahn yet. (The "S" is supposed to be short for the German word for "city" but we jokingly refer to them as "standing still-train" instead of "city-train")

'Stand-Bahn'? Never heard that, although haven't lived in Berlin since before the 'meltdown' in 2008. Traditionally the S-Bahn is Berlin's favorite transit system (you can look out the window!), the most far-reaching, and the most interesting historically.

Although it has so many problems it's still my favourite method to get from A to B. Yes, windows, Internet, well spread out network. That's nice.

Re: Berlin public transport in real time

#129

Post by Maultasche »

donkeyd wrote: post #126
benten10 wrote: post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Any need for Computer Scientists either? The U.S. is a crazy place to live for someone not from here. : (

Definitely. Many specialist companies are having a hard time hiring. Also, we have some really nice visas for foreign knowledge workers. Depending on your specialization/experience I could give you some tips if you'd like.

I can confirm that. As a US software developer, I have pondered going to live and work in the Netherlands, and I've done some research. Their visa for knowledge migrants (kennismigrant visa) seems to be very easy to apply for and would pretty much apply to anyone who reads this site. You do have to find an employer willing to sponsor you though.

The Netherlands is vastly more friendlier to skilled migrants than the UK, which seems particularly xenophobic at the moment, and I think it provides a much friendlier experience than Germany. They have expat centers (http://www.hollandexpatcenter.com/ and http://www.iamsterdam.com/en/expatcenter) that were establish to help immigrants get established and figure out the rules, cultures, and customs of the Netherlands. I've been impressed.

They also incentivise skilled migration by providing a 30% tax scheme for anyone moving there from outside the Netherlands, where 30% of gross income is tax free for a longer period (I think it's 8 years).

I've even spent a couple months learning Dutch (gemakkelijk, maar de uitspraak is moeilijk), although that probably isn't necessary. I hear that English is almost universally spoken in the Netherlands.

I'd certainly be interested in hearing any tips you have. I have over 10 years of web development experience. No mobile app development experience yet, although I'd like to get into that.

Re: Berlin public transport in real time

#130

Post by erikb »

aap_ wrote: post #125
erikb wrote: post #115

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That was either the best joke ever, or you haven't used German S-Bahn yet. (The "S" is supposed to be short for the German word for "city" but we jokingly refer to them as "standing still-train" instead of "city-train")

Actually I don't think it is 100% known what the "S" stands for. I think "Stadtschnellbahn" is most likely. The "Stadtbahn" only refers to the east-west route.

Good to know, because many towns have that I thought it's really Stadt-Bahn. Didn't know S5/7/75 have that special name.
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