OpenStreetMap
Occasionally in Brisbane, too often, bus drivers push the limits uncomfortably. It's often exacerbated by touchy brakes. The effect is, like I had today, a jolting ride home which I thought I might not finish in one piece. Today's rollercoaster must have been doing about 100 km/h through the busway tunnel from South Bank to Mater Hill. Not a lot of room for error there.
I wondered what speed it actually was. I already know I lose GPS signal in those tunnels. I guess if my fix could be found at the other end, I could calculate our speed in that section of tunnel.
Then I thought about using this as a sort of proof to back up a complaint. Further, I guessed, I could furnish the crazy breadcrumb trail of the entire route. Hmm.
I'm sure this couldn't be accepted as evidence on its own. Anyone can fabricate a GPX file. But would there be logs in the new ticketing system they seem to think is so smart that would corroborate my tracks? And if there were, couldn't they be running scripts of their own, anyway, to pick up this kind of mass transit recklessness?
Apparently ignorance is bliss. In that case, I'm lucky that secretive governing authorities ensure that wondering is the best I can do. I've moved on, anyway.
Discussion
Comment from ThePaperBoy on 6 April 2009 at 17:45
If the "supersmart" ticketing system is anything like the Tyne Tunnel, all it does is actually make sure you paid your due to get through the tunnel - they have to have other systems to make sure you're not speeding in the tunnel...
If the tunnel is known length - use a stopwatch to time through the tunnel - that ought to give you an average speed assuming it's a straight line (I don't know if it is) - if that speed is close to the limit (or above it) then moan - if they ask for evidence, someone here will reverse engineer a GPX trail for sure, it's easy enough to do ;-)
Comment from awesm on 7 April 2009 at 13:35
I suspect the ticketing system has GPS because (a) I think I actually heard it; and (b) it somehow has to know which zone the bus is currently in, though it's possible they may be making the drivers hit a counter. In case anyone's bothered by me speaking out of my arse, I won't have to if my elected council will be more transparent about how its tax-funded systems really work. Without that, it's totally my prerogative to postulate.
Stopwatch, of course! Much easier. There's me rushing to the higher end gadget solution, when the best tool is on my wrist all the time. Thanks.
Comment from ThePaperBoy on 7 April 2009 at 16:49
Again back here in Pommieland (where it's still about 1973 in Public Transport terms) they make the bus driver hit a tit as he passes each stop (often with people stood waiting for the bus but ding! ding! and doesn't bother to stop of course) - so your ticket has the name of the stop on it if you're lucky enough to be allowed on the bus by the driver.
Plan C for the evidence would be to film it - you'd get the time and proof that you're on the number 82 bus in one hit.
Comment from gaffa on 24 May 2009 at 02:07
On a side note, a mate of mine who was a bus driver in Brisbane for a bit was telling me about the various fun they used to get up to while driving a bus.
He said a lot of the bus drivers would be driving along, and would as themselves questions like "Am I the awesomest?", then touch the brakes so every head inhte bus would nod forward in agreement. Appearently it's known as "nodding the meat".