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Can I have different journey timings for different times of day?

Part 2 of NeTEx includes reusable components for constructing timetables of journeys from reusable components, NeTEx separates the concerns of where the timing of a PT route takes place (The TIMING PATTERN made up of TIMING POINTs and TIMING LINKs) from the actual timing values (which are held separately as RUN TIMEs and WAIT TIMEs). Different sets of timing values belong to different TIME DEMAND TYPEs (Peak, off peak, late night etc) can be used with the same TIMING PATTERN to generate accurate timetables for journeys at different times of day.

Can NeTEx handle frequency based services?

Frequency based serves are typically specified as operating at a given interval, rather than particular times. From a passenger point of view multiple journeys will typically be presented as a single  journey running at an approximate interval, for example “every six to 10 minutes”.   NeTEx uses TEMPLATE VEHICLE journeys to describe such journeys.  From an operational point of view there will still need to be specific service journeys scheduled to fulfil the required frequency of service  and NeTEx can also include these to support real time journeys.

Does NeTEx support accessibility?

Yes, NeTEx supports the specification of accessibility attributes on both the fixed infrastructure (drawn from the CEN IFOPT standard) and on vehicle types used for  specific journeys, so that full accessibility aware journey planning can be provided, including micro-navigation through interchanges. Both accessibility properties and equipment for different disabilities (e.g. wheelchair spaces, navigability, tactile strips etc) and accessibility services (e.g. boarding assistance) can be defined. Furthermore NeTEx defines a set of user needs (e.g.  wheelchair, blindness, push chairs, etc ) that a journey planning engine can use to set  criteria to find the optimal journey for a given set of accessibility criteria.

Can NeTEx describe journey connection times?

In order to provide accurate journey plans, it is valuable to be able to specify realistic connection times between journeys at interchanges that take into account the mode of transport, the detailed topology of the interchange and even the mobility of the user (for example a path suitable for a wheelchair using a lift may take longer). NeTEx allows both default and specific transfers time to be specified for any connection.

NeTEx also permits complex operational rules about journey interchanges to be described so that planned and guaranteed connections can be managed and so that real time systems and real-time journey planners can give accurate advice to users.