Commuters Excited About CTA Train Tracker
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Starting next month, the Chicago Transit Authority is offering a new service that will allow commuters to track the arrival times of their trains.
As CBS 2's Mike Puccinelli reports, commuters are looking forward to the arrival of the new Train Tracker system.
At several stations, electronic signs will announce when 'L' trains will arrive, both at mezzanine levels and on platforms. But the real significant development is that commuters can log onto a website using a computer or a smartphone, and find out exactly when trains will arrive at their stations on all eight rail lines.
Many Chicagoans called the Train Tracker an absolutely great idea to which they are looking forward.
"I think it would be pretty good, because I ride the train," one man said. When asked if he thought the Train Tracker would make his life better, he said, "I think so."
"I feel it would be advantageous to people out here in Chicago," another man said. "I know me personally, whenever I need to find a train or a bus, a lot of times, I need to know exactly when that train or bus is arriving."
The CTA concedes the Train Tracker system will not be quite as accurate as the popular Bus Tracker system. The Bus Tracker uses GPS technology, but the Train Tracker will gather its information from signaling systems and sensors on the tracks.
Some 'L' stops already have electronic arrival time signs, but they are not uniform in age, size or character availability. The 47th Street, Sox-35th, and Addison Red Line stops, the Davis Purple Line stop, the Roosevelt Green-Orange Line stop, and the 18th Street Pink Line stop all feature a full-color digital display. But the Belmont Red-Brown-Purple line station, among several others, uses yellow LED-light sign.
Thus, the CTA has been seeking a consistent method of delivering arrival time data.
The CTA has not yet announced when the Train Tracker will debut; only that it will be in the next couple of weeks. The agency also has not yet announced the website address.
