Heading down the information superhighway

Posted on October 28, 2008 at 9:40 pm by Shawn Smith

infosystems

Source: ITS America

Imagine sending a cell phone text message with your location and destination, and instantly getting back region-wide information on real-time traffic conditions, travel time, best route, and next bus or train. This could soon be a reality in the Greater Toronto Area.

Metrolinx has proposed one of the eight “Big Moves” to be the creation of a regional transportation information portal that is accessible online and by telephone, email, or PDA that provides travellers with easily accessible, standardized information on the full-range of transportation alternatives available to them.

BIG MOVE #6: Create an information system for travellers, where and when they need it.

Here are the features, in order of importance, that I think a transportation information system should have:

  1. Real-time (GPS) display of next bus/train at major station stops
  2. Information portal covers ALL transit systems across region
  3. Information is user-friendly and accessible using a wide variety of methods
  4. Portal compares all transportation alternatives
  5. Amenities offered on-board transit systems (e.g. wi-fi access on buses)

What are your priorities for a traveller information system?

Do you think this is a Big Move?

Have you been to a place in the world that has a great traveller information system?

I encourage you to leave a comment. I’ll summarize the comments and pass them on to Metrolinx.

Long waits for the bus or streetcar are really frustrating because you have no control over when it will actually come. Often, TTC schedules go out the window during the afternoon rush. Several times I have waited 25 minutes for a 41 Keele bus, only to have 3 buses in a row show up. Every time this happens, the TTC loses credibility. Though delays are inevitable, information on when the bus or streetcar is actually coming would soften the blow.

Downsview Station bus platform

While the Viva “whoosh meets wow” brand may be a little bit of hype, I must say their real-time vivasmart displays that tell you exactly when to expect the next viva bus are incredibly effective in enhancing the transit experience. I think this technology is money well spent.

VIVA seat

Generation Y–those born between 1980 and 1999–have an intimate connection with technology. This is a generation that demands connectivity and speed, and are also more likely to use transit. A technologically-advanced transportation portal would meet these transit users’ needs and expectations, and help create a culture that embraces transit use.

Consider some of the online information systems that are currently available.  How can these tools be improved?

YRT rideQuest trip planner

YRT

MTO COMPASS traffic information

MTO

Microsoft maps traffic information

Microsoft

Google Transit (Montreal)
Google

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10 Comments »

  1. Can traveller info be developed in a way that is compatible with worldwide trends?
    Would it be useful for someone to access travel info in Saigon or Toronto in the same manner, following the same template, in multiple languages?

    I think 511 in the US follows a consistent formula; if so the Canadian version should correspond as much as practical.

    Let’s start with GTA transit websites. Individuality is fine, but for example if schedules followed the same graphic standards and were located in the same place on various websites, would this not aid users?

    Oh, and open source plus Google-Transit-friendly, please.
    -Ed

    GravatarComment by Ed Drass — October 29, 2008 @ 1:04 am

  2. I think the most important thing is that they continuously refine and improve theses services. This kind of complex system is never perfect in version 1 – the key is to have a process in place to constantly get better, based on testing and user feedback.

    You end up with a much better product than if you spend years developing something, then launch it with no plans to improve.

    GravatarComment by Fin — October 29, 2008 @ 8:26 am

  3. Google Transit pshaw. If that was any use, TTC would have provided their data to google in the three or so years since they were asked to, wouldn’t they. Also, GT only works if you’re a superhuge transit system like, er, Fredericton and Cape Cod.

    GravatarComment by Mark Dowling — October 29, 2008 @ 8:48 am

  4. The thing that sticks out to me in this “Big Move” is that it is least defined of the Big Moves and the language in it puts emphasis on some rather antiquated ideas.

    For example “portal”. Yes, there should be a nice website where you can access such a system. But the system should be open, federated and embeddable in many different contexts on the web and on all kinds of devices, including mobile and fixed outdoor. Every local operator could present the same functionality, data and user experience in locally relevant contexts for their users.

    Standards make this possible. Google Transit is an important standard that is emerging and increasingly put to use in other places. I’m looking forward to our friends at MyTTC.ca weighing in on this one.

    GravatarComment by Mark Kuznicki — October 29, 2008 @ 2:54 pm

  5. Just wanted to put a word in for making the best use of existing resources.

    Transit drivers are already excellent sources for on-the-ground traffic info.

    GO and TTC drivers are constantly communicating with dispatch or each other about road conditions and especially in the case of GO, possible alternatives.

    This could be especially valuable when sensors or cameras are malfunctioning or impaired by weather.

    PS– Don’t understand the Google critique. Didn’t NYC MTA just join? BTW, the TTC wants to get its own trip planner running properly first, then become Google-friendly. Comments?

    -ed

    GravatarComment by Ed Drass — October 30, 2008 @ 1:23 pm

  6. Here’s another traffic link:
    http://www.globisdata.ca/toronto-traffic.html

    And the grand-daddy, IMHO:
    http://transguide.dot.state.tx.us/Traffic/ccmap.php

    GravatarComment by Ed Drass — October 30, 2008 @ 1:26 pm

  7. “BTW, the TTC wants to get its own trip planner running properly first, then become Google-friendly. Comments?”

    If TTC explained why they needed their “own” planner – i.e. that it would be more accessible than google’s or whatever then that would be one thing. But they seem to be doing what they did with the service summaries from the old website – withdrawing data completely while they “perfect” their site. Well, that’s fine but how long is that going to take? How long is longer than acceptable before we say “let someone else have a go without one hand tied behind their back”?

    GravatarComment by Mark Dowling — October 31, 2008 @ 12:25 pm

  8. I think the reason why they’re so reluctant to release anything yet is because their current data is incoherent and almost entirely unusable. It’s not so noticeable when it’s a forest of numbers on a page, but when you start visualizing transit data in meaningful ways the problems become easily visible. Even attempting a trip planner with their current data would be absolutely useless.

    It would be an especially embarrassing display for the agency that created the data in the first place if it became clear how bad their information is, and would certainly misrepresent the state of their schedules.

    If I had to guess (and I do), I’d bet that rather than “perfecting” their existing data they’re actually trying to create a coherent set for the first time.

    I want to be clear: in my opinion the TTC does a fantastic job of managing an enormous number of vehicles, day after day. They *must* have good data in some format to do what they do (as well as they do!), but it’s probably locked away in ancient, proprietary systems.

    If you’re reading this, TTC, you’re welcome to our data as well ;-)

    GravatarComment by Kieran Huggins — October 31, 2008 @ 2:29 pm

  9. Brampton Transit is doing a complete rollout of intiatives to improve the amount of information that will be available to the rider. It’s astounding, considering that it’s Brampton Transit.

    http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/acs-signs-12-million-transportation/story.aspx?guid={90D3D6EC-B2DC-4A2F-AB60-F177B96226FA}&dist=hppr

    It’s definitely going to make transit in Brampton more tolerable.

    GravatarComment by Justin Bernard — October 31, 2008 @ 3:15 pm

  10. Sorry.

    Better link:

    http://www.northpeel.com/news/article/58098

    GravatarComment by Justin Bernard — October 31, 2008 @ 3:23 pm

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