Hoping to join the list of public agencies that have benefited from the open data movement, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority is cosponsoring a hackathon on October 8-9. The idea is to spur the creation of new applications that use SEPTA’s real-time data to benefit the riding public. As a recent hackathon in San FranciscoRead… Read more »
For the few weeks, passengers on Tokyo’s Yamanote line will be able to access an information service called Train Net through their smart phones via an on-board WiFi network. The service will provide train information — including the quietest and coolest cars — and location-based entertainment, dining, and shopping recommendations and coupons. WiFi access isRead… Read more »
While San Francisco’s Information and Communication Technology Plan offers a five-year vision for embracing technologies like crowdsourcing and location-aware applications, a team of developers designed the SMART Muni app in a weekend. The iPhone app shows the location of San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (CA) buses and allows workers to spot and fix system problems.Read… Read more »
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority announced plans to extend cell phone coverage to the Blue Line and most of the Green Line by the end of the year. By the end of 2012, the entire underground system will have service and travelers will be able to talk, text, and surf the web in the MBTA’sRead… Read more »
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (NY) announced that New Yorkers can now dial 511, the state’s travel information line, for any MTA-related issue or question. The 511 system will use an interactive voice response system to connect callers with customer service and travel information for all MTA agencies. This move allows the MTA to reduce theRead… Read more »
Last week the Long Island Rail Road (NY) learned that its state-of-the-art signal system was no match for a thunderstorm, as a lightning strike caused the system and its back-up to fail. LIRR had high hopes for the $56 million system which was installed a year ago to replace a vintage system dating from theRead… Read more »
By the end of the year, the Toronto Transit Commission (ON) plans to award a contract to a wireless provider to equip its stations and platforms for cell-phone reception. Wireless reception will not be available in tunnels, although passengers may be able to pick up a signal where stations are close together. “It is aRead… Read more »
San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (CA) police are testing six small clip-on video cameras designed to create a permanent record of police actions in the field. Officers will activate the cameras to record interactions with the public in an effort to improve the agency’s transparency. “They are the next wave of technology in lawRead… Read more »
The Chicago Transit Authority (IL) has started to install electronic countdown signs at its busiest bus shelters. The agency expects to have 150 LED signs in place by March 2012; signs should be available at 400 shelters by the following September. Project costs were shared by the Regional Transportation Authority ($1.8 million), CTA ($1.4 million),Read… Read more »
As companies like Zipcar have popularized car-sharing, some localities are testing nonprofit models that they hope will expand the reach and scope of these programs. Chicago (IL) has I-GO, Boulder (CO) has eGO CarShare, and Syracuse (NY) has CuseCar, which is run by Synapse Sustainability Trust. “We’re not driven by dollars per share per quarter,”Read… Read more »