RailRunRob Posted May 8, 2017 Share #1 Posted May 8, 2017 https://www.engadget.com/2017/05/08/citymapper-london-bus-route/ Could happen in NYC?. I know London has some traffic restrictions that NY doesn't this is interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrewMania Posted May 8, 2017 Share #2 Posted May 8, 2017 https://www.engadget.com/2017/05/08/citymapper-london-bus-route/ Could happen in NYC?. I know London has some traffic restrictions that NY doesn't this is interesting. I was just reading that. This is innovation at it's finest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailRunRob Posted May 8, 2017 Author Share #3 Posted May 8, 2017 I was just reading that. This is innovation at it's finest. I have to agree. Competition brings out the best! Sent from my iPhone using NYC Transit Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Around the Horn Posted May 8, 2017 Share #4 Posted May 8, 2017 "Drivers of the Citymapper "Smartbus" will have a tablet in the cockpit that feeds back real-time traffic information, shows the current passenger count and how far apart other buses on the route are (for regulating the service)." "To actually operate a route, though, Citymapper also had to create software for managing a fleet of vehicles and getting them to share information with each other. It's a means to an end, because the company is planning to take things further than this week's two-day experiment. CMX1 functions like a normal bus route, but Citymapper imagines one day running an altogether more dynamic service. One that can react to demand in real-time and where vehicles can change their route based on traffic information while still pulling up at predefined stops." This would be a great tool for MTA bus service, dispatchers and operators. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailRunRob Posted May 8, 2017 Author Share #5 Posted May 8, 2017 "Drivers of the Citymapper "Smartbus" will have a tablet in the cockpit that feeds back real-time traffic information, shows the current passenger count and how far apart other buses on the route are (for regulating the service)." "To actually operate a route, though, Citymapper also had to create software for managing a fleet of vehicles and getting them to share information with each other. It's a means to an end, because the company is planning to take things further than this week's two-day experiment. CMX1 functions like a normal bus route, but Citymapper imagines one day running an altogether more dynamic service. One that can react to demand in real-time and where vehicles can change their route based on traffic information while still pulling up at predefined stops." This would be a great tool for MTA bus service, dispatchers and operators. Indeed it would! The foundation seems to be laid with the Buses being connected. What kinda of software are the dispatchers currently using? Is it GTFS based on Google Maps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B35 via Church Posted May 8, 2017 Share #6 Posted May 8, 2017 You see, Citymapper has intimate knowledge of how people navigate all the cities its app caters for, and with all this user data it built a tool known internally as "Simcity."..... pfft, While the MTA has none! There is too much politics involved w/ this agency to ever be this innovative.... NY-ers can only dream of having an advancement such as this --------------------- Nonetheless, good find btw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RR503 Posted May 8, 2017 Share #7 Posted May 8, 2017 Yeah. Until the MTA stops being a political tool for Prince Andrew types, NYers will never really get good transit solutions, just little trinket things like wifi and charging ports. Oh well, at least there is some hope in the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Around the Horn Posted May 8, 2017 Share #8 Posted May 8, 2017 Indeed it would! The foundation seems to be laid with the Buses being connected. What kinda of software are the dispatchers currently using? Is it GTFS based on Google Maps? They have a special version of Bus Time called Bus Trek. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JubaionBx12+SBS Posted May 9, 2017 Share #9 Posted May 9, 2017 What TFL beats Citymapper to it and start structuring their routes based on the success this achieves. I don't see how a private operator can achieve anything better than UBER on steroids in a city like London where the TFL already has a large scale operation that would be responsive to changes in demand. I think TFL wins here if anything since they're working with Citymapper to acquire capital for this and will display this route along with theirs on countdown clocks. The real challenge I see with start-up operators is that when you try to be dynamic and avoid traffic you end up not properly serving those major corridors that are so busy you need a fixed service running along it. What happens when you have a poorly performing public transit route (as far as reliability is concerned) that has high ridership but no start up operator wants to or can eat into it? This is good for London in the sense that TFL will likely make improvements to their bus network based on Citymapper's performance but I don't see where Citymapper can scale any success in London to become a major player in a alpha city bus network. I think with a good tech focus fixed public transit can easily take out it's start-up competitors. That's why the MTA should really be pressured to gather relevant operational info and then use it to benefit the riders. Example would include countdown clocks at more stops and using automatic passenger counts rather than traffic checks to determine service levels. Detailed traffic analysis can be used to determine how much time is being saved with short-turn trips and then the schedules can be adjusted to add or subtract those trips. O/D data can and should be used to restructure unreliable bus lines and push for solutions that actually reduce the level of vehicular traffic heavy-hitter routes deal with currently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulrivera Posted May 9, 2017 Share #10 Posted May 9, 2017 This won't fly in NYC, but it might just work in Boston, where they want to privatize every facet of their transit system. There is so much red tape with Albany, New York City, and even with the MTA itself that any sort of real progress will just be impeded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Around the Horn Posted May 9, 2017 Share #11 Posted May 9, 2017 I don't see where Citymapper can scale any success in London to become a major player in a alpha city bus network. They don't have to. If they can just prove that their data and software can help run a bus network more efficiently, they can make a fortune as a data provider... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobtehpanda Posted May 9, 2017 Share #12 Posted May 9, 2017 This won't fly in NYC, but it might just work in Boston, where they want to privatize every facet of their transit system. There is so much red tape with Albany, New York City, and even with the MTA itself that any sort of real progress will just be impeded. Bridj already imploded in Boston. As for SF, Leap also ceased to exist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailRunRob Posted May 9, 2017 Author Share #13 Posted May 9, 2017 They don't have to. If they can just prove that their data and software can help run a bus network more efficiently, they can make a fortune as a data provider... Indeed great point and it seems there working in conjunction with TFL. https://medium.com/@Citymapper/smartbus-7b6848241526 Sent from my iPhone using NYC Transit Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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