Live train tracking application RailRadar unveiled by CRIS

Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) has introduced RailRadar, an application that will enable commuters to know the location of a train on a map and visualize the running-train network in real-time. RailRadar has been jointly developed by CRIS and RailYatri team. The app is already live and can be accessed at here .

RailRadar boasts of user friendly interface and functionality. The interactive map can zoom in and zoom out to get station and train details. Users can search for a particular station or train to get specific details of trains around the station or running status of a train, location, its route and stoppages. RailRadar also gives an overview on trains running on time as well as status of delayed trains. In case of a mishap/unplanned activity, RailRadar would be able to provide users with an overview of situation and train status across the country.

"With the launch of RailRadar, we are offering information in an entirely new way about train movement, which is, perhaps, the first for any major railway system in the world," said Sunil Bajpai, general manager, CRIS.

"As the volume and complexity of information increases – we believe that new methods of information dissemination (associated with trains and its running information) will be required sooner than later. RailYatri.in's RailRadar is one such attempt on that line. We believe that value of information/directions can greatly be enhanced when presented graphically rather than just plain text," he added.

The blue arrows in the map show the trains on time and the red ones indicate the delayed trains. The map also shows the number of trains active at that particular time. Currently, RailRadar is configured to update/refresh itself every five minutes, which means that in any scenario, the location and status of the trains displayed on RailRadar will always be five or more minutes delayed.  CRIS had announced the launch of the app at NAMA conference hosted by Medianama in Gurgaon.

In June this year, Indian Railways in association with CRIS had launched a newer version of Trainenquiry.com a site that features train running information in real time and also displays earlier information. Indian Railways had also launched a National Train Enquiry System (NTES) app that offers live status information of more than 8,000 trains. The free app can be used exactly like TrainEnquiry.com site.

(Edited by Prem Udayabhanu)