John Rowland wrote:
"Annabel Smyth" wrote in message
...

On Sun, 4 Apr 2004 at 14:03:03, John Rowland
wrote:

"Annabel Smyth" wrote in message
...

According to some sources, they can't do the
"next train" indicators that we have, as it's "too
complex", which I think is b*ll*cks, but there you are.....

Well, LUL can't do the next train indicators either,
at least they can't do them properly!


True, but at least they give you some idea!


What I meant was that although they are very useful on the Victoria Line and
certain other lines, there are stations on the Circle Line where the nice
multiline LED displays only tell you about one train[1], and only when it is
practically in the station anyway. The Piccadilly Line displays are great at
telling you about the next three trains to Heathrow but neglecting to give
any clues about the next train to Rayners. It is almost as if the system was
bought off the shelf, having been originally designed for a network with
simpler lines (such as Tokyo or Paris Metro).

[1] That's one LU train, not one ONE train.


You know I never even considered that it would be more useful to show
the next trains to Heathrow and Rayners Lane rather than just the next
three trains whereever they go. I suspect that it wouldn't cause much
problem on the Piccadilly technically... but I think they prefer people
to just get on the first train to Acton anyway if there's no Rayners in
the next three, to ease possible overcrowding.

After all, in the winter when you're waiting in a warm tunnel, if you
knew the next Rayners train was in ten minutes and that it was the fifth
train, would you still get the first train to Acton Town and change...?

--
Dave Arquati
Imperial College, SW7
www.alwaystouchout.com - Transport projects in London