City
TTC routes mapped by the time between stops
Here's a neat-o TTC map from earlier this year that's been brought renewed attention by the Reddit TO crew. Created by James Rosselet, Rocket by Time updates the standard TTC route map via the addition of the predicted interval between each stop (provided there are no delays). The data upon which the map is based was sourced from Google's transit maps (for streetcars) as well as manually timed (for subways) and, crucially, pertains to non-peak hours when there's less traffic in the system.
As such, it can't be used as an authoritative guide to TTC travel times, but it's a fascinating document nevertheless. I, for instance, have always wondered just how long it takes to get from Eglinton West to St. Clair West Station, which though it often seems like more than five minutes actually clocks in at around 3:53. Got a similar query? You can take a look at the high res version of the map here.
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*doh
Why are so many commenters carping about the accuracy of the times? Aren't these known based on schedules? Here in New York all such schedule information is widely available from the transit agency. Can't one just pull the info off the TTC trip planner?
I've always wanted to know this stuff, though. And iSkyscraper, the schedule times are usually guesses these days, especially at peak times (I'd add 50% onto many of these for rush hour).
Also PLEASE READ THE MAP people!
-of _course_ stations aren't going to match up with their respective intersections - the map is scaled on TIME not DISTANCE!
-it also says on the scale what the times are based on: "Minutes (Averaged, without delays, non-peak hours)".
-Below the scale bar it also gives HOW the times were calculated!
Recently the TTC made both the routes and schedules open to anyone for free and without royalties through the Toronto Open Data initiative (http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/open_data/open_data_list?vgnextoid=6e886aa8cc819210VgnVCM10000067d60f89RCRD#T). They also have a real time feed of vehicles which have GPSes on them, such as the streetcars. Several of the current apps for mobile devices are based on both of these sources of data (I think one for the iPhone is called Red Rocket, I don't have an iPhone so I haven't used it).
From what I've heard from NY press and residents, the MTA is a mess - financially and in terms of its infrastructure. It's 50% subsidized yet manages to run a $3 Billion deficit. If you're going to compare our subway to somewhere, do it with Tokyo or another system like it.
Anyone who has ever used the 506 at any time of day, any day of the year will agree that that map doesn't represent reality unless that's measuring hours rather than minutes. Freezing my ass off in -20C weather waiting over an hour for a packed streetcar at Carlton & Yonge is enough to solidify that.