Best Train Journeys on the IE timetable

Oisin88 · 27-09-2006, 17:53

Would you do this:
From Station: Galway 2110
To Station: Dublin Heuston 0710
Journey Time: 10 hour(s) 0 minutes
Number of Changes: 1

Came up on the www.irishrail.ie timetable when I looked for Galway-Dublin Services?
Will they, like Iberia for flights through Madrid that involve an overnight layover, put you up in the Radisson near the train station in Athlone for the night?

Mark Gleeson · 27-09-2006, 18:35

That has been admitted to us as being a bug and a new journey planner thing is currently under evaluation

Derek Wheeler · 27-09-2006, 18:46

But its still a damn good laugh.

Anyway, a bug is only an excuse that can last a reasonable period of time. Should be fixed immediately. Makes the country look stupid. Its a case of taking the option out of the database.

Mark Gleeson · 27-09-2006, 19:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oisin88

Will they, like Iberia for flights through Madrid that involve an overnight layover, put you up in the Radisson near the train station in Athlone for the night?

Radisson is a bit expensive breakfast is'nt really that greeat. I've been there, great bar though overlooking the Shannon. Over night accommodation is your problem

This is a route problem its a pain for computers to work out from a to b they lack the human intuition

The journey is valid its not incorrect information its just not a journey anyone would make

Derek Wheeler · 27-09-2006, 19:52

Its a database of the existing timetable. Each route, service, station and connection is assigned a code. Database search returns all possible journies. Its ASP (Active Server Pages) The rediculous journey quoted by Oisin can be taken out of the database very quickly. Obviously IE have not instructed their IT people to do that. No need for a new journey planner. Ryanair use CGI (Common Gateway Interface) Similar gadget. Its not rocket science. All very basic stuff that requires an initial dose of human commomsense.

Mark Gleeson · 27-09-2006, 20:20

The system doesn't store preassigned routes, thats not the way to do business since you would have to recalc several million options given the number of stations and choices its not feasible, its a recursive problem known as the traveling salesman which is only practically solvable if you have conditions. its real easy if there is a direct train

It has a list of all trains running and combines the timetables together to get a result by connecting trains together based on assessing all possibilties at all stops with an aim to get as close to destination and then drop loops and rank by fastest and fewest connections. Tralee to Rosslare is one that really tests the system

I've been impressed by the systems abilty to get a routes from A to B its given me routes I wouldn't think of it has a problem with trains passing through midnight, that said Cork Belfast at 19:30 overnight in Dublin and onwards by the 7:35 ex Dublin is a legitimate journey

The software used is irrelevant its how its programmed (cgi is dead, asp is well $oft php or a java based is where most are going), Ryanair don't do connections try Lufthansa who allow you to book through journeys. There is money involved and contracts not signed but a new journey planner system is being sought out

Derek Wheeler · 27-09-2006, 20:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

The software used is irrelevant its how its programmed,

Is that not what Ive suggested in my above post.

Quote:

All very basic stuff that requires an initial dose of human commomsense.

Software only does what a human programmes it to do. I do know that daft journies like this one can be easily removed from IE's existing journey planner. The "bug" in the Journey planner is human error.

bigjim · 27-09-2006, 20:33

I suppose getting IE and BE to get together to have a combined bus and rail journey planner is too much to ask?!

Derek Wheeler · 27-09-2006, 20:35

Quote:

CGI is dead

When Ryanair move away from it, I'll accept that opinion. They currently earn an absolute fortune from it via online bookings.

27-09-2006, 17:53	#1
Oisin88 Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dublin Posts: 608	Best Train Journeys on the IE timetable Would you do this: From Station: Galway 2110 To Station: Dublin Heuston 0710 Journey Time: 10 hour(s) 0 minutes Number of Changes: 1 Came up on the www.irishrail.ie timetable when I looked for Galway-Dublin Services? Will they, like Iberia for flights through Madrid that involve an overnight layover, put you up in the Radisson near the train station in Athlone for the night?

27-09-2006, 18:46	#3
Derek Wheeler Registered user Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kildare Posts: 1,555	But its still a damn good laugh. Anyway, a bug is only an excuse that can last a reasonable period of time. Should be fixed immediately. Makes the country look stupid. Its a case of taking the option out of the database. Last edited by Derek Wheeler : 27-09-2006 at 18:48.

27-09-2006, 20:20	#6
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	The system doesn't store preassigned routes, thats not the way to do business since you would have to recalc several million options given the number of stations and choices its not feasible, its a recursive problem known as the traveling salesman which is only practically solvable if you have conditions. its real easy if there is a direct train It has a list of all trains running and combines the timetables together to get a result by connecting trains together based on assessing all possibilties at all stops with an aim to get as close to destination and then drop loops and rank by fastest and fewest connections. Tralee to Rosslare is one that really tests the system I've been impressed by the systems abilty to get a routes from A to B its given me routes I wouldn't think of it has a problem with trains passing through midnight, that said Cork Belfast at 19:30 overnight in Dublin and onwards by the 7:35 ex Dublin is a legitimate journey The software used is irrelevant its how its programmed (cgi is dead, asp is well $oft php or a java based is where most are going), Ryanair don't do connections try Lufthansa who allow you to book through journeys. There is money involved and contracts not signed but a new journey planner system is being sought out Last edited by Mark Gleeson : 27-09-2006 at 20:26.

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27-09-2006, 18:35	#2
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	That has been admitted to us as being a bug and a new journey planner thing is currently under evaluation

27-09-2006, 19:52	#5
Derek Wheeler Registered user Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kildare Posts: 1,555	Its a database of the existing timetable. Each route, service, station and connection is assigned a code. Database search returns all possible journies. Its ASP (Active Server Pages) The rediculous journey quoted by Oisin can be taken out of the database very quickly. Obviously IE have not instructed their IT people to do that. No need for a new journey planner. Ryanair use CGI (Common Gateway Interface) Similar gadget. Its not rocket science. All very basic stuff that requires an initial dose of human commomsense.

27-09-2006, 20:33	#8
bigjim Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 43	I suppose getting IE and BE to get together to have a combined bus and rail journey planner is too much to ask?!