CTA Train Tracker Estimated Arrivals Beta: Notes & Help
Introduction
Welcome to the CTA Train Tracker sm Estimated Arrivals beta test program, a public preview available as we further develop the service.
This innovative new information service from the CTA provides estimated arrival times for 'L' train service. It's available in your browser and on Web-enabled mobile devices.
On this page:
What's a beta?
A beta test is when software or an electronic service (such as this) undergoes testing as development continues. This is a public beta, meaning that everyone is welcome to try it while we continue to make this tool better.
This is where you can help! We want you to try the service and let us know what you think as you use it. If you have ideas on how we can make it better, spot a potential bug, or can think of anything that can improve the service going forward, tell us about it! Use our Feedback Form to let us know what you think.
Survey
Help us make CTA Train Tracker better by filling out this quick CTA Train Tracker survey.
Beta features
Here's what's available in this preliminary release of CTA Train Tracker:
- Estimated train arrival times based on "live" train information, using location data we have for trains that are in service.
- Scheduled arrival times are shown when there are no predictions for a given boarding position at your station.
- An easy-to-use interface designed for quick access to the information you want, whether you're using the desktop or mobile version.
- Integrated Customer Alerts shown in the event planned work or an unavoidable delay affects service (and/or the reliability of predictions).
- The ability to customize how information is presented to you. Options include setting how many arrivals are shown, or grouping arrivals by route or track.
- Text messaging capabilities that allow you to get information from CTA Train Tracker by text.
- Stops you recently viewed are remembered, and you can flag stops as "favorites" for easy access later.
In later beta test phases, we'll be adding a number of additional features. Check back here periodically to see what's new!
A message to Web & software developers
A CTA Train Tracker API, also in beta, is now available to developers. If you'd like to work with CTA Train Tracker data, get documentation and apply for a key today! Also visit our Developer Center for a full suite of options for working with CTA data.
Q&A
How does it work?
This system looks at where in-service trains are and makes estimations based on recent travel times from one place to another, and also shows scheduled information when predictions aren't available due to a train not being close enough yet to do so. CTA is also investing in further updating the technology that powers CTA Train Tracker to further improve the data that powers this helpful service.
Why does it sometimes show scheduled arrival/departure times?
"Live" predictions are only available for trains once they've left their terminal. Up until a train leaves its terminal, we show scheduled arrivals instead. At terminals themselves, only scheduled departures are shown. Note that scheduled departures may vary slightly in the event that service is being modified by route managers to maintain even service levels.
In some cases, scheduled arrivals don't provide a specific destination, but a general direction. Once a train leaves and is in service, however, more information, such as specific run number and destination will be shown on its "live" predictions.
If this is just in testing, how reliable is it?
We've been doing testing of the prediction data for months and we wouldn't be making this available if we didn't think it was going to be very helpful. This service is still in testing, though, so we do expect that there will be an occasional hiccup. If you spot something you think was in error, we want you to let us know. Also, during this testing phase, to make sure we're giving only good information, we may turn off predictions temporarily in the event that track work or reroutes are likely to result in unreliable prediction information.
What does it mean when the results show "---" instead of a train prediction?
An entry that shows "---" indicates a train is expected to be on the way soon, but that we need more information to give you a reliable estimate. It's basically a way to handle the unexpected without giving you information we're not reasonably sure is good.
What does it mean when it says "Delayed"?
This indicates that a train has been in the same place for a few minutes for any reason. Once the train starts moving, predictions will start being shown again.
The Web site is alerting me that predictions are or may be temporarily unavailable. Why?
Because this service is still in testing and development, there are certain circumstances where major track work or unplanned reroutes can negatively affect the quality of predictions. Because we are careful to avoid giving information that's not likely to be helpful, we may temporarily disable predictions as a precaution.
During the early phases of this test program we expect that we'll need to disable predictions for all or part of a train route during certain, unusual circumstances. Rest assured that we're working behind the scenes to further improve the reliability of predictions so these kinds of temporary interruptions in prediction information become very rare.
How fresh is the information?
It's based on information that's pretty close to real-time. Our database is updated two or three times per minute. In most Web browsers you'll see arrivals update automatically about every 30 seconds. On your mobile device, you can tap or click the "refresh" button to update (although the information won't change until a database update has occurred).
Am I looking at a near-final product?
Not yet; this is a preliminary release of the Web-based presentation of CTA Train Tracker info for testing and public feedback. In the coming months, we'll be working out bugs and adding additional features, including additional ways to view train information, quicker and easier ways to get to the information that matters to you, APIs, maps and more! We're also listening to what you have to say and work that into future versions of the service.
Why does the order of trains at my station sometimes change?
The ‘L’ is a complex rail system with hundreds of miles of track and dozens of track junctions. Estimated arrival times are just that: estimated. CTA Train Tracker is designed to re-estimate arrivals as a train progresses along its route and update its predictions based on the latest information available. At stations near junctions (such as in the Loop), when trains approaching your stop are coming from different parts of the system, you can expect to occasionally see the list of estimated arrivals reordered based on real-world conditions.
How come CTA Train Tracker doesn’t ask me for a direction of travel like CTA Bus Tracker does?
With CTA Train Tracker, we’re only working with about 2% as many stopping places as CTA Bus Tracker, so the stop lists are shorter. While it’s necessary to ask in Bus Tracker what direction you’re traveling (many routes operate over different streets in different directions), we’re able to get you to the information you’re looking for with fewer clicks, as the rapid transit system is relatively fixed.
Many platforms are shared and many people have multiple train options when traveling. Showing all options from a station or platform is able to serve everyone, even if a person is only concerned about one route in one specific direction. Feedback from our customers, however, will guide us in how this service is further developed in the coming months, so if you have an idea on how to make Train Tracker better or additional features you'd like to see included, please let us know!
Why doesn’t CTA Train Tracker tell me if a train is running express?
Right now, this information isn’t available to the Train Tracker system. We’re working on building it in, though, so you’ll better know what to expect wherever you are.
How do I set or un-set a favorite stop?
Simply click the star next to the stop name when looking at a stop in Train Tracker on our Web site. This works both on desktop computers and most mobile devices. The star will go from grey to gold if selected. You can de-select favorites by clicking the star to make it grey again, anywhere the star appears.
Why did my favorite or recent stops disappear?
We don't store favorites or recent stops on our servers. Stops you've recently viewed or flagged as a favorite are stored using a "cookie" on your computer or whatever device you use to view our site. If you clear your browser history, including cookies, the information about what stops you've visited or "favorited" is cleared, as well. If you've set your browser to clear cookies every time you close it, or are visiting in a private browsing session, this information will not be stored.
How do I clear favorites or recent stops?
Simply clear your browser's cookies. Note that this will likely clear all information remembered by your browser, such as sites you've logged into and told to remember you.
Why does CTA Train Tracker tell me the train is going toward “Howard or Loop” on the Purple Line or “63rd Street” on the Green Line when showing scheduled arrivals, rather than a specific destination?
Because our expert field personnel sometimes need to make manual modifications to maintain good service on the system, scheduled departures on the Purple and Green Lines might not be as precise as a live prediction. CTA Train Tracker waits until the train leaves to announce a specific destination, and once it’s left the terminal you’ll see exactly where that train is expected to go. Remember, CTA Train Tracker is a work in progress; more and better information will be available in the future as this service is developed further.
Is CTA Train Tracker accessible to people with disabilities?
Yes, the CTA Train Tracker beta Web service is built on modern Web standards and designed to follow both established accessibility guidelines and best practices, to ensure that all people can enjoy the information provided using standard Web browsing software or with assistive technologies.
CTA is also in the preliminary testing phase of displaying Train Tracker arrival times at 13 rail stations on existing LED displays. Right now, we are working to verify reliable arrival time data transmission to the station signs. When the results of this testing phase are deemed satisfactory, the pilot will be expanded, including additional stations and accessible features such as an audible component. During the LED sign preliminary testing phase, visually impaired customers may call CTA Customer Service at 1-888-YOUR-CTA (TTY: 1-888-CTA-TTY1), 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., on weekdays (excluding holidays), to receive estimated arrival times.