Life
The pathway to the platform at St Paul's Underground Station

How fast is your London commute?

In London, rail is a way of life.

Roughly two million passengers use the London Underground every day. There are 272 Tube stations in total. Above the surface, there is a nuanced network of regional and national lines, as well as the 112 stations of the London Overground.

But, beyond the numbers, Londoners are all train-obsessives. We love nothing more than talking a novice through the fastest route to a part of the city, and secretly relish the challenge of finding alternative ways home when our normal route falls foul of cancellations.

What we are more resistant to, though, is understanding the science behind our commute. Why do some Tubes stop at seemingly random moments? What determines the speed limit on the tracks? Are trains getting quicker?

Below, with the help of the experts, we will learn exactly what determines train speeds across the capital.

Read the interactive article here.

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