Train operators currently provide DfT with periodic passenger count data and these are typically provided as the average of a number of counts carried out over a period of time. Counts are provided for all services on arrival at and departure from particular stations. The Department's focus is typically on peak travel into cities, however, train operators will be collecting more information for their business needs, and we will request more detailed counts for particular projects such as the modelling undertaken for the Thameslink project.
Counts are carried out by train operators of the numbers of passengers on board their trains at certain points along their routes. These counts are either collected manually or by electronic counting equipment fitted to the train. In recent years, the amount of passenger count data being collected has increased significantly as the fitting of automatic counting equipment on rolling stock has increased. There are currently two types of electronic count equipment used, and two types of manual count. These are detailed below.
Automatic passenger counts (APC)
- "Load weighing"-this is equipment fitted to trains that "weighs" the train at certain points, estimating the number of passengers on board by assuming an average weight per passenger.
- "Infra-red"-this uses infra-red sensors fitted around each door on the train to count the numbers of passengers boarding and alighting at each station. From these it can be calculated how many passengers are on board the train at any point along its route.
Both types of counter will be fitted to the new Thameslink fleet as described above.
Manual counts
- On board ("guard") counts-on long-distance services where there is a sufficiently long gap between stations manual counts can be carried out on board the train. These will often be carried out by train guards.
- Platform counts-these are counts carried out by people on platforms at stations counting the numbers of passengers boarding and alighting each train. For through trains this can also involve making an assessment of the number of passengers in each carriage through the train windows.
DfT is in the process of procuring a centralised rail passenger counts database that will in future enable us to store and process significantly more information on rail usage across the rail network, particularly the counts data that are provided by the APC equipment fitted on trains.