Screenshot Metroquest application for Toronto 2016.
MetroQuest is an application that provides a suite of tools that can be used to improve the public participation process. The tools support all three types of collaboration: engagement, education and process. It’s been used for many transport projects including Toronto’s Big Move 25-year transportation plan.
Transit App uses crowdsourced information to make real-time information available for NY Subway (2017).
The Transit App can now collect tracking data from users to help them predict real time arrival information. This is an excellent tool especially in cities where there is no current real time data available. It’s also quite helpful because it can be more accurate than vehicle GPS signals since these signals may only be sent every several minutes or so.
The crowdsourced data is being rolled out slowly. It started in Montreal (which had no real time data) and has now been extended to New York.
The Transit App continues to develop neat features and is quickly becoming a favorite in cities where it it is deployed. Some references from their blog: https://medium.com/transit-app
Also check out the Transit Wire’s articles on the MBTA app contest, and selection of Transit App, they are excellent resources for anyone thinking about public transport apps.
Sensors developed and tested in EU Making Sense Project. Source: Waag Society.
The Making Sense project is funded by the European Commission and has the mission to make advances and experiments in participatory sensing. According to making-sense.eu
Making Sense aims to explore how open source software, open source hardware, digital maker practices and open design can be effectively used by local communities to fabricate their own sensing tools, make sense of their environments and address pressing environmental problems in air, water, soil and sound pollution.
The project runs between 2015 and 2017.
The website provides an excellent Making Sense Toolkit of materials and methods for planning and implementing participatory sensing campaigns.
Project was coordinated by Waag Society, link to Waag Society Making Sense Project page.
Screenshot of Santa Monica City Swipe App (2017).
City Swipe is a Tinder-like application designed to collect input on what people like and dislike about downtown Santa Monica (California).
It’s really simple to use and therefore good for collecting lots of input. Here are the instructions from the project website: www.dtsmcityswipe.com
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS
Each slide will show an image and a question pertaining to a different element of Downtown. There are two different types of questions:1. Yes or No Questions
(Swipe RIGHT for YES or LEFT for NO)2. Which Do you Prefer?
(Swipe LEFT for the PHOTO ON THE LEFT or RIGHT for the PHOTO ON THE RIGHT)COMMENTS
If you have more to say about a certain question, please click the chat button on that question’s slide and leave us your comments. Then swipe to the next slide.Your feedback will be incorporated into Downtown Santa Monica’s recommendations for the City of Santa Monica’s Downtown Community Plan. This plan will help guide the future of Downtown for the next 15 years. So please take a moment to share your thought with us, and have some fun!
More information from Springwise at: Citizens give feedback on city development via Tinder-style app
Psycho Networker is one of my favourite parody music videos I made during my youTube days. One of the best things was that I sent it to the Wiener Beschwerdechor with my application to join. The choir assistant loved it and always sung the line “Fa-fa-fa-fa-facebook” to me when I saw her.
The video is from 2010, given what’s happened since it seems we’ve all become somewhat psycho about social networking, although I’ve at least quit facebook.
I had a great time in the Wiener Beschwerdechor where I was a member for about 7 years before travel made me miss too many rehearsals. I learned a lot about singing and I think I’m a much better singer now than I was in my music video days. Who knows, maybe I’ll join again now that my travel schedule is simpler.
Cover of report Getting Smart on Data (2016).
Getting Smart on Data: Challenges and Opportunities for Transport Authorities from Emerging Data Sources was produced by the Urban Transport Group and presents results of an emerging data catapult meeting held in May 2016. The Urban Transport Group is the UK’s network of city region transport authorities.
Press release from Urban Transport Group Call to action from Urban Transport Group to ‘get smart on data’ with link to full document “Getting Smart on Data” (PDF).
The report presents very helpful and interesting information.