Importing Datasets
To import a dataset, go to the “Network” → “Datasets”, section of Passenger Cloud and click “Upload a new dataset” under “Draft datasets”.
Select the dataset zip file you have produced and validated, then click “Start upload”.
This will perform the following actions:
- Create a new draft dataset containing
- Journeys - Timetable data
- Stops - Where journeys may stop
- Track/Shape data - The physical path a journey takes between stops
- Update “persistent” information, such as:
- Lines / Services
- Operators
Note that updates to “persistent” information take effect immediately on import, not when or if the draft dataset is published.
Once the draft dataset is imported, you can preview timetables and journey planning requests to confirm data accuracy and correctness, then publish the dataset - making the dataset-specific data live.
Managing Multiple Datasets
When showing network data to passengers, our system shows the most recently published dataset that is effective on the day being viewed. Note that if a published dataset is not available for a specific query date - draft datasets may be used, instead of presenting no data to users.
If there are 2 or more overlapping datasets, the most recently published one will have priority and be shown to passengers. The date of publishing and the contents of the dataset does not affect this.
Deleting a dataset will unpublish it immediately, so it will not be shown to passengers.
Network Managers have the ability to postpone the start date of an existing dataset by selecting the dataset in Passenger Cloud and then clicking on "Change start date". There's no way to change end dates, the dataset has to be deleted and imported again.
Most of the time, passengers are looking for data for "today”. Live departures are always today and things like timetables and journey plans default to the same day. It's possible to "look ahead" to view data for the future too, by changing the date on a timetable or journey plan.
Whatever date is being viewed, the most recently published dataset that's effective on that specific date will be shown.
There is a limit to the number of datasets that can be in the system so that we can manage the performance and reliability of aspects of the Journey Planner systems. The limit is 12. If this limit is reached, a warning will display to indicate that no more datasets can be imported. This can be resolved easily by deleting any draft or published datasets that are no longer needed.
Temporary changes
Datasets for temporary changes (e.g. 1 day or 1 week) are easy to create.
A new dataset, which is effective only for the temporary period, can be uploaded and published. As it's the most recently published dataset, it will have priority over other datasets while it is effective.
When viewing data for before or after the temporary change, the previous dataset will be used. This works both when viewing data for "today" during the temporary period, as well as when looking ahead in timetables and journey plans.
Continue to the next article on TransXChange: Definitions