What Happened?
New York City plans to implement an open source bus-tracking system in 2013 that will save the city money by allowing competition for future hardware and software contracts, and allow third-party software developers to build their own user interfaces.
So What?
Public transit agencies have a number of options for developing real-time transit tracking systems. At one extreme, they can contract with a single vendor to install hardware in the vehicles and use proprietary protocols to deliver arrival time information to user-end applications designed by the same contractor. The New York Metropolitan Transportation Agency’s programs—which, in addition to Subway Time and Bus Time, include Metro-North Train Time, LIRR Train Time, and MTA Bridges and Tunnels’ Travel Time—take the opposite approach.
They utilize open source application programming interfaces (API) for communication of real-time data generated by vehicles to front-end applications that process and report that data. Using an open source API means that raw GPS data generated by vehicles in the field can be used to develop applications for different platforms—including for various smartphones or for streaming digital displays in coffee shops for example. Anyone, from professional developers to hobbyists can develop those applications. So far, eight different apps have been developed for the three bus lines in the MTA’s Bus Time pilot, in addition to the MTA’s web-based tracking service. The parallel Subway Time pilot for seven subway lines was launched in late December. The MTA has released its own apps for subway time and invited independent developers to develop their own apps.
Additionally, the MTA programs use of other standard and open source back-end software could increase competition for software and hardware contracts for the vehicle tracking system. Access to the code being used to communicate between vehicles and front-end applications means any contractor could design a system to communicate in the same way, opening the door for competition when the city decides to put future contracts out to bid.
Bus Time Background
The open source data server software package MTA uses, OneBusAway, was originally developed for Seattle’s public transportation system. The MTA contracted with OpenPlans and Cambridge Systematics to customize the software and improve the software. Since the server software is open source, it is free for others to use, including the improvements made on behalf of the MTA.
Plenty of information about how all of the pieces of the MTA’s open system are available on the “technology” page of the Bus Time web site, including:
- Access to the API
- Detailed information about the customized, open source OneBusAway data server
- Technical specs for the on-bus GPS system
The Open Access Movement
New York is not the only place experimenting with granting private developers access to its bus arrival time data. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, for example, has a similar program inviting developers to develop apps to track arrival times for its buses, trains and ferries.
As Gov1 previously reported, the trend toward governments providing “open data” is growing. Palo Alto, California, for example, now offers a host of different data sets to private developers.
Civic Commons, a non-profit dedicated to promoting open data in government, offers a number of resources for supporting cities and towns in their efforts to set up open data systems:
- Direct technical assistance
- Access to open data platforms developed in-house and by other
- Access to networks and discussion forums for open government advocates inside and outside government
- Technical and legal information about implementing open data programs
Jonathan Reichental, Palo Alto’s CIO, has written extensively in guest columns for Gov1 on the topic of Open Data.