8. Glossary

Load line graph

Summary table of the number of passengers between successive stations on a line. The load snake can be estimated for each train, or compiled by time slot, or even by day; it allows you to visualize the busiest routes, and by the difference between two sections, to easily visualize stations with high ascent or descent. On the other hand, in these stations, it only gives the net balance between boarding and alighting, but does not allow you to visualize interchange hubs where boarding and alighting are massive and of the same order of magnitude.

The load snake is calculated from direct counts, and is most often subjected to statistical regression to provide a reliable and reasonably accurate reference.

Carrying capacity; Capacité d'emport

It is defined for each train as the...