CTA Blue Line Map

This is a project to display live train status of the CTA Blue Line on a strip map, using an ESP32 and APA102 addressable RGB LEDs.

Pre-requisites

• Visual Studio Code
  • Platform IO extension installed
• ESP32 development board
• 33x APA102 addressable LEDs connected to the ESP32 via a logic level converter
• 5V power adapter
• CTA Train Tracker API key

Instructions

1. Clone this repository and change to its directory:

git clone https://github.com/dremin/cta-blue-line-map.git
cd cta-blue-line-map

2. Create the secrets file:

cd include
cp secrets.h.example secrets.h

3. Open secrets.h and set your Wi-Fi SSID, password, and CTA Train Tracker API key.

4. Open the directory in Visual Studio Code with the Platform IO plugin

5. Connect the ESP32 via USB, then upload!

LED colors

The first LED represents O'Hare. Each station's LED will display a different color, depending on the train(s) at the station:

• No train: Off
• O'Hare-bound train: Blue
• Forest Park-bound train: Red
• Trains in both directions: Purple
• Jefferson Park-bound train: Cyan
• UIC-Halsted-bound train: Orange
• 5000-series train: Green
• Holiday train: White

Non-directional indicators (5000-series or holiday train) take precedence when other trains are at the same station.

Wiring diagram