A countdown clock should be standard equipment at all train stations. What do you think?

Question

It gives you the assurance that a train is coming. Even if you are the only person on the platform.

With todays gps technology it should not be that expensive.

Answer 1

I know the NYC Subway uses them, and they are pretty neat. Amtrak would have no luck with them because they yield right-of-way to freight trains.

Answer 2

Yes, I think it would be a good idea... and YES, current block-signals and GPS would permit it.

CALTRAIN, the San Francisco Bay Area commuter line is considering it.... they already have sign-boards on the platform that makes other announcements.

ALTHOUGH... I've only seen CalTrain running more than a few minutes late due to accidents on the tracks.

Answer 3

i've never seen them in the NYC subway as the other poster said, but when i went on vacation to england, the london underground had them, and they were really cool...it would give you a minute by minute countdown, and then an animation would come showing the train pulling into the station about 15 seconds before it did, and a message would scroll, along with play over the speakers saying something along the lines of, "please stand back as the train is approaching the platform, and please remember to mind the gap."

Answer 4

In speaking in regards to Amtrak, I really don't think it would be a good idea as they're not always able to keep their trains on schedule.

Answer 5

Some of the new NJ Transit Station have a similar feature.

Go to njtransit.com to learn more

Ramsey Route 17 had on a new station constructed in 2004-2005

Answer 6

It would be nice.  But not necessarily practical, if the train is far enough out to possibly encounter obstructions.