Writing in Fast Company, Tadeo Toulis, creative director of Seattle-based Teague, says that most bus passengers have three basic questions about their trip:
- Where do I want to go?
- How do I get there?
- When will the bus arrive?
He presents a concept that his firm calls Traffic 2.0, which reinvents the bus stop to answer those basic questions. Metroplan addresses the Where with a solar-powered interactive system map that lets passengers plan their itinerary. Metropass answers How with a RFID-enabled smart card that customers can tap to the Metroplan screen and download their itinerary. And Metropoint answers When by using simple illuminated signs to provide real-time information within a 15-minute window. He writes: “Readable from up to 150 feet, Metropoint gives control back to riders, freeing them from the tyranny of the stop and empowering them with the means to decide how best to use their time.” The one question Toulis doesn’t answer? Why call a transit solution Traffic 2.0? Link to full story in Fast Company.
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I agree that it’s a little futuristic, but the core concept is the importance of customer information. That’s why some organizations, like MassDOT, are challenging the developer community to come up with applications for computers and mobile devices. These apps get the critical information into the hands of commuters without incurring capital costs for shelters with interactive displays.
Wow. Our agency can’t even afford to post System Maps and schedules at our stops nowadays. I can’t imagine how we would pay for something like this. Looks perfect for Disney though.
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