Caltrain riders will get a glimpse of the future this week when testing begins on a new system to predict arrival and departure times.

The first round of testing on the new system will take place today through Friday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., Caltrain spokeswoman Christine Dunn said.

The system will include both visual messages at stations and audio announcements. Messages during the testing period will begin with, “This is a test.”

Further tests will take place in August and September.

The 22nd Street, South San Francisco, Broadway, Atherton, Stanford and College Park stations have public-address systems, but not visual signs. Stations south of Tamien in San Jose have neither visual nor audio messaging systems.

Once the system is installed, real-time arrival information also will be available on Caltrain’s website and via free email alerts and text messages.

The system is expected to go live by the end of the year, Dunn said.