Real-Time LIRR Train Capacity Info Now Available On Google Maps

LONG ISLAND, NY — The Long Island Rail Road is now one of only two public transportation agencies in the world to have real-time seating information available to riders on Google Maps.

Using technology the LIRR first used in its Train Time app, seating information will now be available on Google Maps as well, allowing riders to see how full train cars are before they board.

"The LIRR is not only looking at best practices across the industry, but developing our own,” said LIRR President Philip Eng in a release. “Through our work with Google, more customers will be able to know as much information about their ride as possible. We want to make it as easy as possible for riders to make safe decisions as they return to the railroad.”

On the LIRR's older M7 cars, the technology works by measuring the weight of each car, which lets computers determine how many people are aboard. On the newer M9 cars, infrared sensors on each doorway count the number of times a person walks in or out of the car.

Google is also piloting the expansion of this technology to Google Maps in Sydney, Australia.

The same information is also available on the LIRR's own Train Time app. But now, riders won't need to download another application to get the info they need.