The Anonymous Widower

Train Information To Be Free To Developers

The Rail Industry is going to open up its database, so that all train running and timetabling information will be available free to software developers. It is reported here on the Modern Railways web site.

This may seem quite small and technical, but it is an interesting change of philosophy by a public body.

I’ve always believed in giving access to data in a comprehensive manner, when that data is anonymous and disclosure is in the public interest.

For instance, a programme could be written, that collates and analyses some specific data on the rail network, that might be required by a local politician, who is getting complaints about the rail service.

But that is only a simple example and knowing the skill of software developers, free access to the data, will spawn some very useful applications.

The article doesn’t say if passenger journey statistics will be available, but this might be very useful to develop a system, which helped show a company, which would be the best location for their next coffee shop or office development. Or perhaps it could suggest to a coach company, which might be the best route for a new service.

A lot of these applications are speculative, but because the data is available and free, companies with a need will use it to their advantage to grow, increase profits and create jobs.

Let’s hope that this is a first small step to opening up public data,so that companies and organisations can improve their products and services, and consumers can benefit.

May 24, 2014 - Posted by AnonW | Computing, Transport/Travel | Information, Software, Trains