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4/24/2018
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) on Friday announced it has improved the accuracy of subway arrival prediction times on its website and certain smartphone apps.
The agency's Rapid Transit Realtime (RTR) system has begun using more sophisticated data to provide more frequent arrival time updates on the Orange, Red and Blue lines. Now, the system refreshes train arrival times every six seconds; previously, arrival times were refreshed every 15 to 45 seconds.
Over the course of the year, feeds for additional apps, in-station signage and delay messages will be updated, MBTA officials said in a press release.
The RTR system incorporates information about how long a train is expected to wait before leaving the terminal, which leads to more accurate predictions for each station down the line, according to the agency.
"While our strategy to make capital investments in core infrastructure continues, we must remember that technology is a major part of our infrastructure that needs to be upgraded as well," said MBTA General Manager Luis Manuel Ramirez.
Last month, the authority launched two new programs designed to improve train arrival information for its commuter-rail system.