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diff --git a/.idea/gtfs-book/ch-01-introduction.md b/.idea/gtfs-book/ch-01-introduction.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3b3765c --- /dev/null +++ b/.idea/gtfs-book/ch-01-introduction.md @@ -0,0 +1,45 @@ +## 1. Introduction to GTFS + +GTFS (General Transit Feed Specification) is a data standard developed +by Google used to describe a public transportation system. Its primary +purpose was to enable public transit agencies to upload their schedules +to Google Transit so that users of Google Maps could easily figure out +which bus, train, ferry or otherwise to catch. + +> **A GTFS feed is a ZIP file that contains a series of CSV files that +list routes, stops and trips in a public transportation system.** + +This book examines GTFS in detail, including which data from a public +transportation system can be represented, how to extract data, and +explores some more advanced techniques for optimizing and querying data. + +The official GTFS specification has been referenced a number of times in +this book. It is strongly recommended you are familiar with it. You can +view at the following URL: + +<https://developers.google.com/transit/gtfs/reference> + +### Structure of a GTFS Feed + +A GTFS feed is a series of CSV files, which means that it is trivial to +include additional files in a feed. Additionally, files required as part +of the specification can also include additional columns. For this +reason, feeds from different agencies generally include different levels +of detail. + +***Note:** The files in a GTFS feed are CSV files, but use a file +extension of `.txt`.* + +A GTFS feed can be described as follows: + +> **A GTFS feed has one or more routes. Each route (`routes.txt`) has one or +more trips (`trips.txt`). Each trip visits a series of stops (`stops.txt`) +at specified times (`stop_times.txt`). Trips and stop times only contain +time of day information; the calendar is used to determine on which days +a given trip runs (`calendar.txt` and `calendar_dates.txt`).** + +The following chapters cover the main files that are included in all +GTFS feeds. For each file, the main columns are covered, as well as +optional columns that can be included. This book also covers some of the +unofficial columns that some agencies choose to include. + |