Question 1

How do I set up R5 locally for development or testing?

Accepted Answer

Install MongoDB, copy the template configuration file to analysis.properties, and use Gradle commands like 'gradle runBackend' to start the backend. You'll also need to set up the frontend UI separately for a full environment.

Question 2

R5 vs OpenTripPlanner: which is better for transit accessibility analysis?

Accepted Answer

R5 is optimized for multi-departure routing and accessibility indicators with high-performance calculations, while OpenTripPlanner is more general-purpose. For scenario-based planning and cumulative opportunities, R5 is often preferred, but OpenTripPlanner might be easier for standard trip planning.

Question 3

Can I use R5 as a standalone routing API without Conveyal's web interface?

Accepted Answer

Technically yes, by running the backend locally, but there's no stable API, and integration is complex. It's designed as a component of Conveyal's system, so you'll need to handle network data and computations manually.

Question 4

What types of transit data does R5 support?

Accepted Answer

R5 handles both scheduled transit from GTFS feeds and headway-based lines, integrating them with OSM street networks for walking, biking, and car travel, as described in the README for multimodal networks.

Question 5

How does R5 handle real-time transit updates or delays?

Accepted Answer

The README doesn't specify real-time handling; it focuses on scheduled and headway-based transit. For real-time data, you might need to apply network patches, but this isn't explicitly covered, so it may require custom implementation.

Question 6

Is R5 suitable for academic research without paying for Conveyal's service?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it's open source and used in research, but be prepared for a steep learning curve, potential compatibility issues with future versions, and no official support, as noted in the README's disclaimer.

R5: Rapid Realistic Routing on Real-world and Reimagined networks

What is R5: Rapid Realistic Routing on Real-world and Reimagined networks?

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